Three Men and a Lady

Kent has amazed me these last few days. He is no longer a baby. I miss his being so attached to me, but part of me is enjoying his new level of independence. Don't get me wrong, Kent is still my shadow. I can't blow my nose without his asking, "Whad you doing mommy?" Every morning from 7:30-8:00 he watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while I make beds and prepare breakfast. He announces to me, "Mickey Mouse oba mommy", followed by "I want cereal now." Kent loves his big brother "CoCo", who is known as Parker to the rest of the world.

Today Parker and Kent were playing "Daddy and Son" and I stood at the top of the stairs and just watched how they interacted with one another. Parker, the dad, was apparently working on building a house, and he would tell Kent, the son, to bring him what he needed. Kent was the perfect apprentice and brought the boss everything that was asked. It reminded me of how Sharon and I used to play "house"...although Erik would never admit to the similarities.

I know Kent is growing up, and these last few days I have felt sad that his baby years are now behind us. I need to take away his pacifier, but if I am completely honest, one of the reasons I haven't been diligent about that process is because it means he is no longer a baby. I'm trying to hold on because I know that once he becomes a big boy, the hugs will become less, the kisses will probably cease all together, and his need for his momma won't be so great.

He's only two and I am feeling this separation anxiety. I can't imagine the sadness I will feel when he goes off to college, or worse yet, when he gets married!