Right Now

I love the way you're a bit of a mama's boy. If I'm not holding you, you are looking at me and/or reaching for me with that big gummy smile of yours.

I love the way you smell like the Aveeno oatmeal shampoo we bathe you with.

I love that you put your head down on my shoulder when you are tired.

I love that you have such a happy disposition and are constantly smiling and laughing.

I love that when I rock and sing to you before your naps you have one hand holding onto my finger, while the other hand is wrapped around my neck, playing with my hair.

I love the way you cuddle your giraffe when you're sleeping.

I love your "Stevie Wonder" (as we call it); when you are so jolly you shake your head back and forth with a big goofy grin on your face.

I love that when you wake up, you give me a big smile as soon as you see me come in the room. Then how you won't let me put you down for about 5 minutes after because you want to snuggle.

I love your curiosity and the way you have to check everything out yourself. And your persistence... Like when I move you from something (unsafe), but you just go right back to it.

I love when I'm instructing at Stroller Strides and I look in the stroller to see you staring right back at me.

I love the way you and your dad interact. It's like you two are off in your own world sometimes.

I love watching you take in a new place. We call you "serious" because of how intently you look around.

I love your little, chubby cheeks. When I kiss them, I'm amazed at how soft they are.

I love that you are ticklish. When I tickle your back or sides you laugh and squirm in delight.

These are just a few of the things I love about you right now. In truth, my love is immeasurable, but I hope that these glimpses will help me remember this time, this day, this moment before it is gone. You are growing up so fast, but I'm not sad about it. I look forward to what's next because I am confident that your dad and I are doing the very best we can. And I know you can tell how much we love you. It shows in every smile, giggle, hug, kiss that you give us.

I love you,

Mama