Among other things,

this stage is:

• something new every day.
• bright eyes and giggles in the morning.
  
• hearing Ava speak in full sentences and sing Jesus loves me.
• discovery
• crayons and sidewalk chalk.
• "Mama, play please!"
  
• poopiness soaking in every sink, crumbs on the floor, spit up stains on the hardwood, dirty dishes in the sink, piles of laundry, and not remembering the last time I cleaned the bathroom.
• running through the house with a naked (boy!) infant trying to find a diaper.
• not being able to get it all done.
• hiding things from my toddler (and myself)
• Ava mimicking everything I do
• poop. lots of poop.
• unbounded love as I watch my toddler sleep.
• scolding. spanking. loving. praying.
• crazy, protective, fierce love
• joy
• madness
• guilt
  
• often feeling like my chest is tied in knots.
• weakness. impatience.
• "MaMUH!"
  
• sometimes wanting to escape (or at least have a facebook break)
• trying not to care too much when she tears apart my mega block creations.
  
• baby giggles.
• cuddling and reading in the wee (or not so wee) hours.
• Ava screaming while I put Timmy down for a nap. Ava getting hurt while Timmy is screaming from hunger. Ava mischievously grinning as she tears something apart while I nurse.
• hanging onto Jesus (or rather, him hanging onto me)
  
• pacifier dependence (oh, well).
• collapsing on the sofa at 10 o'clock for a little old school Dick Van Dyke with my love.
• trying to learn to forget myself.
• Sanctification.