Its always fun to watch our kids grow up. Its exciting to see them toddle for the first time, across the floor to your outstretched arms. Then you hear them speak single syllable versions of words, cute in a way that only babies can make it.
Its been such a unique, special experience to watch Andrew grow up. This year he seems to really have blossomed, blowing straight throught all kinds of developmental milestone, from toddler to little boy. Now he just seems so grown up, he's really got such a sweet personality coming out. He's so creative, polite, sweet, and even independent now.
But tonight was a different kind of growing up, a different kind of milestone for both me and Andrew.
As he sat on my lap, and we had our standard rocking chair time before bed, I was telling him what a good boy he was and how happy I was that he was my little boy. Then I told him I loved him. He replied back in a little, quiet voice, something that at first I couldn't for sure understand. I thought I had heard him, but I wanted to make sure I'd heard right. So I asked him to repeat what he said. He spoke only slightly louder this time, as if he was a little unsure if it was the right thing to say, saying:
"Mom, I love you."
Maybe that doesn't seem like such a big deal for you. Maybe you've had your kid tell you that before, or maybe you've never had a child, or had one say it to you. But when you have a child that you've spent time trying to make sure they know you love them, say it back, well I felt myself melt. It was one of those moments when you just feel that somehow, even with tantrums, and pestering-of-little-baby-sisters, messes, and running-away in grocery stores, (and all of their accompanying punishments) somehow I must be doing something right.
I'm so glad I get to be with such a wonderful little boy for all eternity.
