A note to my son

My not-so-little Dude:

You amaze me. Every word you share, every emotion you express, brings me a moment I wouldn’t exchange for the world.

Your smiles and cries. Your cheerful cooperation and your temper tantrums. I love it all.

The other night was a difficult night, full of tantrums, tears and trouble. Last night, you were once again my kind, cooperative kid, full of hugs, kisses and sweetness. Because you did so well, we spent time just snuggling on the couch, rather than heading to bed right away, and it so reminded me of all of the nights you slept on my chest or Daddy’s chest, when you were a baby.

Back then, the only way you would sleep longer than 20 minutes was if one of us were holding you. Now, you are moving and grooving in your sleep, and seem to prefer your own space.

What you don’t know about the other night, when you were sent to bed early, was that I still found time to snuggle you. Since I hate ending the night on a bad note, I tiptoed into your room after you had fallen asleep, picked you up – blankets and all, and rocked you for a while. I reminded myself that the bad times are usually when you are having trouble expressing your feelings or understanding the rules (or you just want to find a way around those rules), and that many times these tough moments are just as frustrating for you as they are for us.

These trying times never last for long though. Although you have always been my serious and studious little boy, your sense of humor and comedic timing is increasing. Even when you are in trouble, you frequently have to work to hide a smile at something you find funny, or because you don’t like to see us mad or sad, and are waiting to share a happy thought with us.

And your smiles? Oh sweetie, your smiles involve your entire face and body! When you smile, your entire being is happy and it shows.

Your talking is nonstop these days, too. You don’t speak in sentences, you speak in paragraphs. And your grammar, and grasp of the English language in general, continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

You don’t just share refrains to the songs, you sing entire songs. Not to mention the fact that you are now making up your own songs to tunes you already know – and many of them are hilarious! (I love that you do this, as my sisters and I did this all the time, while growing up.)

The other night, you surprised us. It turns out you have been paying attention in church and when we’ve talked about The Lord’s Prayer, as you recited it for me – and it was almost perfect! Along with that, I love how you thank God for so many of your friends and family before you go to bed.

Simply put, you are wonderful, we are beyond proud of you, and you are so loved.

Love, your “Mommy, mommy, mommy”

p.s. And yes, no matter how big you get, you are always my baby. And my monkey. And my snuggle-puppy.

p.p.s. That family picture was taken on our recent family vacation, on the shores of Lake Superior. Hope to share more pictures later.

(Thanks to my bloggy friend Gina, who always writes beautiful notes to her son, inspiring me to always find the good during even the most trying parenting moments.)