My Baby Boy

This baby boy of mine is on the brink...

the brink of being a true big boy...

no longer telling me he'll "be my baby boy forever".

But I haven't lost him yet.

He still needs "one more kiss, and one more hug" before I head out the door or tuck him in bed.

He still needs his special string on his blanket to rub against his cheek to soothe himself to sleep.

He still gets excited about the glow of the moon and runs in to tell me I need to see it.

When will he stop needing all of those hugs and kisses?

When will he stop needing that special string that is so frayed?

When will he stop being excited over the magic of the moon?

I know it's important to help them grow up; to teach them independence; to give them their wings.

But I'm not going to rush it; to say "I can't wait until they..."; to stop being just as excited to see the moon glowing in the night sky.

I'm letting my kids be little for as long as they can...

or until they wipe off my kisses from their big kid cheeks.