9???

Nine???

How is it possible that my BABY is nine today??? I can't even begin to explain all the joy this little guy brings into our lives. He is the kindest person I have ever met and I'm so blessed to have him for a son.

Kevin is artistic, a thinker, so considerate, hilarious, very literal (!!! - which can add to the hilarious part!), energetic...just an all around great kid. And boy can he put the food away!

Last night when I was tucking him into bed, he scooted over and said, "Hey Mom, I'll scoot over so you can snuggle with an 8 year old for the last time." I almost cried. Then he continued to tell me that he loves being the youngest so we can do all the "last time" stuff together.

I get a little emotional thinking about the "last time" things. Some of them I haven't realized until they were over.

Kevin used to sleep with a snail blanket from Gymboree that we received as a gift when he was born. He slept with it nearly every night unless it was in the wash. He'd wrap it around his shoulders almost like you would a scarf. That continued even after he started school. Then I noticed after one washing that it didn't go back on his bed. I had missed the last time.

Kevin's playtime used to revolve around the Fisher-Price Little People. He called them "my people" and would line them up and play with them and their farms, garages, airports, etc. for hours. After picking them up in the basement one day, I noticed later that they never came back down off the shelf. That is until they were lined up and used for target practice with the nerf guns. Poor, poor Little People.

Kevin loved animals from Build-A-Bear. He ended up with a good little group of 4 that would rotate turns sleeping with him. He'd change their clothes from one sports uniform to another and then into pjs every so often. One would be tucked under his arm every night. Now they are all together in a basket on the other side of his room. I didn't realize the last time I tucked one in with him.

I am going to savor every time he opens a door for me. I'm going to enjoy every time he reaches for my hand when we are out in public. I still feel a tug at my heart when he "slips" and calls me Mommy instead of Mom. I am going to listen for the "hmph" that escapes his mouth when I snuggle him tight. I am going to love every minute I am blessed to spend with this little boy. All too soon, he will be a man.

But, he will always be MY baby.