As the year draws to a close I am struck once again at how quickly time passes. I look at my baby and I see a little boy. I look at my little boy and I see a big boy. And I look at my biggest boy and I see the man I have loved all of my life. My heart swells and threatens to break on a daily basis and I thank my lucky stars that I have been so blessed.
There are these moments when Mason looks at me and I can literally see the love in his eyes. He pauses for a minute and just looks at me, then he smiles this sweet, precious, real smile, puts his hands on my face and kisses me. "I love you so much, MamaBear. You're my best friend." It makes me feel so good to know that he has learned what love is, that he understands the words and knows the feelings behind them. He may only be 2 1/2 but I can see the man he will become and I am so very proud. I am happy for the woman who will finally win his heart for she will have a good man who will love and honor and respect her. He may only be 2 1/2 but I know his heart and know that he will be a good person, which is all that I can ask. He will be a man like his father and that is a beautiful thing.
And my beautiful baby, who grows more animated and more sure of himself every day. Just yesterday he hit a new milestone, a new developmental stage that is only noticeable to us. His actions are more controlled and purposeful. He is able to express his wants and needs much better. And his eyes shine more brightly than before. My little baby who is growing into a little boy. I will not miss the baby stage, as I have found it is not my favorite. I will miss, however, watching these fundamental changes that will become less and less visible as the boys grow older. The major leaps and bounds are so apparent, so huge at this stage of development and it's quite amazing to watch.
I hear the thump, thump, thump of Mason running towards me. He is wearing his striped pj's that remind me of old jailhouse uniforms and I can't help but giggle. It is time for me to go play, I am told, so I must be off. The force of nature is not to be ignored.
