To Infinity and Beyond....

Tis the season for candy corn, apple orchards, jack o' lanterns and the crisp air of Autumn. It's a favorite time of year for our household and marks some pretty significant milestones for Justin. As I watched him today, I was in total awe of his newly found independence and understanding of the world around him. Here was my stubborn little guy who refused to wear the $30 dinosaur costume we bought for him and demanded to wear the slightly snug, oh so short legged Buzz Lightyear costume we received from a friend. I've learned he is just like me in that sense. Stubborn and determined. Yes, indeed he won as you can see.

I was talking with a friend of mine at work today about that sensation every mother has when their children do something remarkable. In her case, it was her 7 year old daughter or 10 year old son who are remarkable athletes and the joy and elation she feels watching them succeed. I had a sneak peek of those feelings today...

We've been working on potty training for months and he has been doing pretty good with bumps along the way, but the last few days we've made amazing strides. I picked him up from school today and he saw me pull up, ran into my arms with a giant smile and yelled, "Mama, I pooped in the toilet!" Sure enough he did. He had done it a few times here and there, but nothing consistent or at school for that matter. We got home and what to you know, he was a pooping machine, going again in the toilet! He was so proud of himself and of course we were too. Laugh if you must, but everytime he poops in the toilet I shed a little tear for joy and pride for my big boy. :)

This was the first year Justin truly grasped what Halloween was all about. Here he stood on the front porch excited, brave and eager to conquer the neighborhood on a candy coated adventure. I watched as he jumped for joy and flew up and down the sidewalk chanting, "To infinity and beyond!"

My heart broke a little when I went to take his hand and he said, "No, mama, I a big boy now." as he ran down our neighbors sidewalk and like a big boy rang the door bell, smiled and relayed the "Trick or treat" line we had been practicing for weeks. Politely without my asking he yelled "Thank you, Happy Halloween!" He retreated proudly showing me his reward and onto the next house we went. After an hour he stopped and said, "Time to go home, mama. I enough candy." That's when he took my hand and smiled and said, "You happy mama?!" Yes I told him...I was thrilled and proud, but slightly sad this little boy wasn't a baby anymore. I had that flash forward moment where I saw dropping him off to college. Sigh.

Cliche, yes, but they do grow up too fast. But, I can tell you I am going to enjoy every little moment I have...to infinity and beyond....