I Hope I Always Remember...

I hope I always remember...
The silky softness of your baby skin. How you lean forward to hide your face after you smile at someone. The dimple on your cheek that appears so often as you grin. The joy that washes over me as you lean your head on my shoulder. Hearing you laugh, with your special little gasp, at your brother and sister. How perfectly your little foot fits in my hand. The way your eyes start to close with contentment as you eat. That you scoot backward off my lap, so that you can hang upside down like a little bat.

I hope I always remember...
Your excitement at helping to make your pink "Big Girl Who Keeps Her Underwear Dry" cake. How you tell me "(gasp) That's so bu-tee-ful, Mommy!" The deep brown of your eyes, that alternate between glittering with mischief and delight. Your hands-on-hips stance. The way any object you find can transform into a game, story or plaything (and often all three). Your made-up songs, and the wide range of tunes you add lyrics to, from Mamma Mia to Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. When you whisper, "I love you so much, Mommy."


I hope I always remember...
The way you curl up, with your hands under your cheek, to sleep. Your hugs and cuddles when you wake up in the morning, and how for a few quiet moments, are still my baby boy. How if there is something you don't want to do, you say "If you jump on me, then no school. (jump) Ok, no school for you." That you make a special trip to come inside just to kiss your baby brother. The way you say, "Don't _____, gets Miss Terri saaaaad." The dimple that peeks out only when you scrunch your face up to try to get us to do something. How you love to wear my shoes around the house. The curve of your chin, that still hints at childlike innocence.

I hope I always remember each precious little moment, where nothing extraordinary happened, other than the miracle that is each of you.