Hot day, Cold smoothie

You sure love your smoothies, Millie! And you don't mind a bit that they can be messy. Who needs a straw or a spoon anyway?

Love those smilin' eyes...

~Mama

From Toddler to Little Boy

Hello Asher my son,

It's been a while since I've posted on this particular blog. I think, in part, it's because I didn't want to face the fact that you are growing up and that's been on my mind. Not that it's a bad thing in the least; it's just as you grow we lose a precious little being. I am excited to see what you will become each and every day. Tonight I mourn for what you will never be again.

What got me thinking was your ever expanding and ever more articulate vocabulary. It's rather impressive to see you pick up new words, use them correctly, and make sentences. Your sweet little sayings are being replaced by real complex sentences. So without further ado, here are some of my favorite Asherisms:

• Holg it (when you ask to hold something)
• Hold you (when you ask to be held; funny when in reference to yourself you pronounce hold perfectly!)
• Amimal (animal)
• Imag-a station (in reference to the Imagination Station)
• Pee-seas (ask me sometime)

And today you were just full of tender love. At lunch you looked at mama and said, "you're a great friend" and then pulled her close for a hug. It melted her heart and before she could say anything you sealed the deal by planting a sweet kiss on her lips. Way to speak mama's love language little man! It continued when I got home from work. We were sitting on the couch playing around when you stopped and said to me, "I love you so much". You are so tender and sweet; may God always preserve that in you.

And then tonight at bedtime we made the plunge. Probably the biggest step to signify your transition from toddlerhood to little boydom. We took away the pacifier. That's right, no more "paci". You were upset, angry, heartbroken, full of tears. But you didn't cry long. And still watching those tears stream down your cheeks as you choked out the words, "where my paci go?" broke my heart. I guess just knowing that little guy with the paci will cease to exist save in memories that come and go to quickly. You made it through story time beautifully, let Papa pray as we usually do, sang a rousing rendition of "Take me out to the ballgame" and as I was ready to lay you down, you looked off to the side and said (to yourself not me): "I'm a big boy. I don't want my paci" with the slightest little whimper at the end. I'm glad it was dark because it was Papa's turn for tears. 

I love you so much.