Seven on Seven

Seven years ago
A cold, snowy April day
You completely changed me
And I became "Mommy"

Now, you have completely changed, too
A bright-eyed, smiley boy
With a gummy grin
Baby teeth have given in
To the inevitable future

The loves of your younger years
Seem seconds away to me
But are half a lifetime away
For you

Reading chapter books
And writing your own
Developing characters
And discussing marketing techniques
To continue your franchise

You love R2-D2
Though you have not yet seen Star Wars
We try our best to keep
That innocence we love around
But it won't be long

You called me "Mom"
For the first time
And I wished I could give
A time-out
For growing up

My first grader
Whose world was once completely reliant
Upon Mommy and Daddy
Now has other influences
Teachers, friends, mean kids
And girls who chase boys on recess

Seven years have passed
A warm, summer-like day
I share my birthday with you again
But now I know so well the many emotions
That come with being who you made me:
Your mommy

And I know that --
Without a doubt --
My best birthday gift
Will always be
You.

Make a Wish, Pumpkin!

I'm sure that every mommy asks,
"How is my little baby so grown up?"
And I am no different.

I can't believe
What a little man you've become
A preschooler
Bringing home oodles of artwork
(Most of it in your favorite green)
Writing your own name for months now
Even with smiley faces in the letters.

You amaze me
With your story-memorizing brain
And dramatic monologues
About the differences between two games
Yet you still ask,
"Is this lunch or dinner?"

You are so affectionate
My "Huggy Buggy,
Huggy Shmuggy,
Lovey Dovey"
And you still love to play with my hair
Just like when you were a baby.

Your excitement
Cannot be contained
And you often wake up
Belting out "God Bless America"
Or making up your own intricate stories
While letting Mommy and Daddy sleep
Just a little longer.

I know these days of
Hugging with abandon,
Acting out your own plays,
Being the only one in the family
Who eats peas,
And choosing to sit on my lap
Will begin to fade

But as always
My love for you
Never ever will.
I will love you
Forever, my four-year-old!

Christmas New Year's Valentine's Day Winter Portraits

Better late than never, right?!? By the way, that is real snow in the first two pics, but certainly nothing like what we have seen on the east coast this past month. We are finally able to see our lawn now amidst the huge puddles of several former feet of snowfall. Happy Winter! :)

Seriously...

...who has a blog and then doesn't post anything on it for almost three (gulp!) months?!?

I couldn't...wouldn't let it become MARCH without letting you know I am still here.

We have had a few trials and triumphs these last few months, and I have lots to blog about, but alas, life sometimes gets in the way.

While I am contemplating my next post, if there is anyone still checking my blog, please leave me your best unanswered question about me/this blog/my hiatus. What would you like to know about most? I will try to include the answers to any question in my next post...coming soon.

Seriously!