Birthday Eve

On the eve of lil Max's second birthday, I am sitting at the kitchen counter, drinking Sprite out of a paper Finding Nemo cup. I am surrounded by dirty dishes, marshmallow fluff, the scent of cupcakes baking, and a feeling of nostalgia mixed in with a twinge of melancholy.

Tomorrow, my lil BABY boy will turn two.

And, it's not even fair to call him a baby -- it hasn't been fair, quite honestly, for some time now. But, he'll always be a baby to me....

Everyone always said to cherish every precious moment when they're little -- because they go by so quickly. How true. How sad.

At the same time, it is remarkable to think back on all the things that he has learned, that he has tried, that he has achieved. He is growing up to be a wonderfully smart, independent, loving and social little boy. I'd like to take just a little credit for that, as his mother.

And my, how I've grown through the process! I found strength inside I didn't know I had, patience that took my breath away, feelings and emotions that humbled me. My priorities have slowly fallen into place, and my relationship with my husband has grown even stronger (whereas before I would've insisted we were as strong as we'd ever be). I've grown every inch along the way as he has grown -- and all of it for the better.

So, tonight, lil Max, I will think back wistfully to your early days -- the days when you sat in my arms because you couldn't do much more than that, gazing up at me, trusting me. The days when we'd squeal over you doing seemingly small and impossible new things -- rolling over, clapping your hands, smiling, giggling. Things I may have taken for granted before, but was now watching with a renewed sense of appreciation.

Tonight, my lil Man, I *might* just wish you were that tiny little BABY again.

But tomorrow,

Tomorrow I will revel in the BOY that you have become.

Tomorrow I will celebrate all of that you have learned in two short years on this planet.

Tomorrow I will thank God and my blessings that I have shared these last two years with you.

Tomorrow I will pray that I can spend many more years with you watching you grow into a MAN.