My Superhero

Landen loves pretending he's a superhero. I picked up a few costumes (Superman, Batman & Spiderman) at a garage sale a couple of years back and he has put them to good use, to say the least. He also likes to make up his own superheros. Today, he's wearing his swim goggles and pretending he's "Waterman," saving all ocean dwellers from water monsters.

I told him a few minutes ago that I was going upstairs to finish getting ready for work and that he could stay downstairs to play. His reply? "I'm Waterman. Waterman doesn't play."

Missing my Cuddle Buddy

For the first three years of his life, Landen was a "momma's boy" to the extreme. Whether he was tired, just waking up, going to bed, hurt or just watching TV, he wanted his mommy nearby. I knew Landen was my last baby and I was happy to be the center of his universe for awhile. I especially enjoyed our quiet moments, the cuddle time after he first woke up and before going to bed. But, I knew it wouldn't last forever. From the minimal reading I've done on child development, I also knew that around the age of three or four, it would be important for Landen to pull away from me and start identifying more with Daddy. And that's exactly what has happened over the past six months.

The day he turned four, Landen decided he was a "big boy" and wanted to be just like his daddy. He went from wanting Mommy near him every minute to asking to be tucked in by Daddy once in awhile. When he draws pictures for the fridge, sometimes he starts with Daddy's picture. He likes to help Jim with projects and run errands with him. He's busy and "on the go" just like every other four-year-old boy you know.

It's been fun to see Landen mature into an independent preschooler who insists on walking himself to his classroom at school. And I'm joyful that our only son is "Daddy's little buddy." Yet, some days I miss my little baby boy, who always insisted that I take time to cuddle with him in the morning and before bed. So, last night, when my "big boy" got out of bed and asked me to read him a Little Critter book--again--I couldn't resist. He laid down next to me on the couch and we read together, cuddling all the while.

What Do You Think?

One day several years ago, when Lauren was just a preschooler, I asked her what she was thinking. I was probing for the quiet innermost thoughts of a preschooler. You know, the "penny for your thoughts" kind of question. Only Lauren was too young to understand that. Trying to please her mommy, she replied, "I think I love you...and I do."

So, for years now, every time I ask Lauren what she's thinking, I get that same reply. The amazing thing is that it's always a surprise to me! I probably ask the question once a week or so, almost subconciously, trying to make conversation. And I always expect a real answer. Instead, I get a wonderful little day brightener. "I think I love you...and I do."

Chatter Time

One of my favorite parts of the day is after Jim and I have tucked the kids in and I sneak back into Lauren's room to "chat." We talk about anything she wants...something that happened at school that day, a question she might have, or an activity we are looking forward to in the coming days.

Back when we started this nightly ritual, Lauren would ask, "Mommy, do we get to chatter tonight?" Thus, the name for our special time together. I look forward to a lifetime of "chatter time" memories with my beautiful daughter.