birthday boy

My baby turned 5 today! I can hardly believe the baby stage of my life is moving farther and farther out of sight (Denise says it perfectly here). I gave away a couple of bags full of baby clothes to a much needed new mommy yesterday. Although it nearly broke my heart to part with my precious tiny onesies, it felt good to give them to someone who needed them more than me. My Sammy boy is growing up. He starts kindergarten in a week. I can't help but look back and mourn (with great big alligator tears) the days of my little helpless baby relying so heavily on me. Yet here is, ready to cross the street looking both ways without me holding his hand. I still stand close though, watching and protecting, encouraging him on. I love that he still sits on my lap for hugs now and then and still lets me shower him with kisses when I feel so inclined, which is all the time really. One of my favorite things he does right now is when he wraps his little hand on the fat part of my arm, squeezes it as if taking my blood pressure and says, "Yep, you're a really good mama."

I love you more than more Sammy. At 5 or 55 you'll always be my baby!