Where did your little voice go?

Stuck at home this past week with sick kids, I decided to go through the many video computer files I have taken of the children since 2003. These are all small files that I would occasionally take with my camera, of simple, every day events – back in the days before I could do so on my phone!

It has been so much fun.  In fact, it has been addicting.

I absolutely love taking photographs and as a result I must have one billion pictures of the kids. I never want to miss a moment. But it occurred to me as I looked at these “lost video files” that there is nothing like a video to best capture a moment in time.

All of the sudden, while sitting at my computer, the kids were babies again. And there is nothing in the world like hearing their baby sounds fill the house. Where did those little voices go? The change was so gradual, I had forgotten.

Instantaneously I forget all about sleepless nights, endless diapers, and regular feedings. Instead, I just wanted to hold my children in my arms as babies again – if only for a moment.

Watching these videos also provided a week’s worth of family entertainment. The boys got the greatest kick out of seeing themselves and each other miniaturized.

“Look at your big, chubby cheeks,” Brendan said to Colin.

“Ha, ha. Look at your huge diaper,” retorted Colin with a laugh.

I was perhaps most struck by the way in which they loved and enjoyed each other right from the start.

The looks on their little faces as their baby brothers were placed into their chubby little toddler arms is absolutely magical. The videos capture the moments in which they became brothers – and what I hope are lifetime best friends.

I also found it amazing how young Jeff and I look in these early videos and how easily we got excited by the smallest things.

Over and over again we took videos of Brendan pointing to his belly on command, Colin making funny baby faces, and Ryan rolling over.

This week’s video exploration inspired me to continue taking videos not only of the big events, but the little, every day moments such as those captured in these small video files, because I truly believe they paint the truest and most beautiful look into our lives as a family.