My dearest little man,

Tonight you fell asleep while resting on daddy's lap. We both took a few moments to just stare at you, sleeping away and looking so peacefully.

And then daddy looked at me and asked "How many more times?" What he meant was how many more times will we be get to hold you as you fall asleep? Sadly, I feel not many. Even now those times are far and few between.

You are 3 1/2 now! Growing so big each and every day! Daddy and I have been talking about this a lot lately. Just this summer you have mastered getting dressed (as long as the clothes aren't too tricky), putting on socks, putting on shoes (although getting your shoes on the right foot is pretty random!), working the dvd player, buckling the top buckle of your car seat and knowing to pull the buckle up ot your shoulders when you are done, getting your own drink of water, washing your hands by yourself, putting your laundry away (granted, most of it's not folded by the time you get it to the drawer, but you get it to the drawer and I appreciate that very much!). You want to pick out your own clothes, you want to pick out your own sandwich fillings at lunch,

So quickly you are growing up and changing before our eyes. We love watching you grow. We love watching you gain independence and learn new things. But, my little man, I'll be honest with you, it saddens me so much too. I miss the baby days as well. I miss rocking you to sleep. I miss knowing if I turned the right video on for you and sat on the couch at the right time, you'd fall asleep in my lap and sleep so peacefully in my arms.

But these moments aren't lost forever. And when they do happen I cherish them. And remember the times from when you were a little smaller and needed me a little more. But, I also cherish who you are today - the little man you are becoming.

love,
mom