"You sure do dote on him a lot," my husband told me, as I clutched Drew in my arms on his third pre-bedtime request for kisses.
I suppose he's right - second born, middle child, only son. They're excuses that therapists probably hear all too frequently.
Birth order, gender, or whatever you want to call it aside, I love him like I love my girls.
And while he has the ability to bring out the scary parent in me that I thought had died with my father, he also challenges me to be a better parent.
A parent I would have never been without him.
The one with a construction vehicle addiction, wherein I almost involuntarily point out the diggers and front loaders to random strangers.
The one who knows that there are, in fact, different types of fire trucks, and can identify them by sight and sound.
And the one who endures daily rounds of "Variations on a Theme of Boy in the Corner" without even raising her voice.
Okay, so I'm still working in that part.
But without him, there would have been none of that.
So when he creeps out of his room on an almost nightly basis, asking for kisses with a coy look on his face, I oblige him.
Call me a sucker. It's okay.
I've come to learn that 3 will soon be 13. And 13 will soon be 23.
And those tiny moments, particularly when many parts of the day seem to be made up of moments I'd sooner forget, are very, very rare.
"When I'm taller than you Mommy, I'll be able to pick you up," he said, grapping me firmly around my legs and audibly straining.
Little does he know that he already does that.
Even though he's just as tall as my leg.
Happy 3rd Birthday, son.
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Posted by: DejesusRene32 | March 30, 2010 at 07:29 PM
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Posted by: Kat @ TodaysCliche.com | January 28, 2010 at 03:24 AM
Three? Is it even possible? Holy cow. I've got "Cat's in the Cradle" going through my head now.
Give that beautiful boy huge kisses from me and his favorite New York girls.
Posted by: mom-101 | January 28, 2010 at 01:29 AM
Precious post...I have two boys and it is amazing how I have changed as a woman because I have boys. I.E. I never knew how fun it would be to set up a hot wheels track in my living room:) As I watch the Bachelor!
Posted by: Mandy | January 27, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Wow! This was beautiful! Happy Birthday to your little man!
Posted by: MomOf4 | January 26, 2010 at 07:02 PM
Wow, how can he be 3? I was reading you before he was born!
A very Happy Birthday Drew!
Aside - I think my older son (now 21, named Andrew) was about 14 when he successfully picked me up. He was thrilled with his accomplishment, and I was screaming "omg put me down you're gonna get a herniaaaaaa!". Good times.
Posted by: Carrie | January 26, 2010 at 03:24 PM
I'm going to have to say that's one of your best posts, really :) And Happy Birthday Drew. I can't believe he's 3 already!
Posted by: MFLEIJ | January 26, 2010 at 01:35 PM
GAH!!! Tears .. what a great post. I, too, have a special love affair (not like THAT, DFCS) with my little boy. Happy Birthday to baby boy!
Posted by: The Ranting Mommy | January 26, 2010 at 01:26 PM
It goes so fast. Three? Jeepers.
Happy Birthday, Drew!
Posted by: Kelly | January 26, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Happy Birthday Drew! You are lucky to have such a wonderful family to love and cherish you, especially that Mommy of yours.
Posted by: Lillian | January 26, 2010 at 10:19 AM
I never really believed the hype about the mother-son bond... then I had a son.
My husband calls him "the other man"
Happy birthday to your sweet little guy!
Posted by: LooneyJen | January 26, 2010 at 08:50 AM
Happy birthday, Drew.
Posted by: Julie | January 26, 2010 at 06:39 AM
there is something amazing and sweet about the relationship a mother and son shares. i treasure mine.
happy birthday, Mr. Drew!
Posted by: laura | January 26, 2010 at 01:45 AM
Aww! So sweet! Happy Birthday to you both!
You never know when knowing the difference between a fire engine and the ladder truck may come in handy, and there is certainly nothing wrong with a son thinking the world of his fabulous mom!
Posted by: Julie | January 25, 2010 at 11:19 PM
Sweet. Happy Birthday to Drew! Little boys get better and better----I fell asleep next to D tonight with his hands touching my cheeks. It's wonderful.
Posted by: Fairly Odd Mother | January 25, 2010 at 10:28 PM
Happy Birthday little boy!
Mine says he will carry me someday, too.
Posted by: jaelithe | January 25, 2010 at 09:48 PM
That is a very sweet post!
Happy Birthday, buddy!!!
I often wonder if my son will one day be that much bigger than me.
Posted by: Multi-Tasking Mommy | January 25, 2010 at 07:52 PM
What a great post in honor of your little man! Happy birthday to him (and to you).
Posted by: Angella | January 25, 2010 at 05:42 PM
That was a really sweet post.
Posted by: NDGIRL | January 25, 2010 at 04:58 PM
Oh, I adore this post. Three years old? Sheesh.
Posted by: Issa | January 25, 2010 at 04:46 PM
Boys are awesome, huh? My baby just turned 16 & has outgrown me by about 100 lbs. and a couple feet. He wants to take care of me now, and it makes me happy and sad at the same time. I miss that little boy, but my heart can't get any bigger when I look at the man he's become!
Posted by: Jerri Popovich | January 25, 2010 at 03:52 PM
Aww! Happy 3rd lil' man! What a sweet post! I feel exactly the same way about my boys - middle and baby - they have made me want to be a better person. The girl does as well, however it's not as much a struggle with her. I'm sure you understand. Enjoy 3! It's such a wonderful age. :)
Posted by: Jessica Rachel Carlisle | January 25, 2010 at 03:23 PM
What a great post!
Happy Birthday to your little man!!
So true about the 3, 13, 23. I have a feeling it will go by just that fast as well.
So glad I found your blog today in my travels.
Love it, love it, love it!
What a great site. I look forward to following along ;)
Posted by: Michele | January 25, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Happy Birthday to your son! My son turned 3 on Friday and it's already more interesting than 2. I also know more about trucks than I ever thought I would!
Posted by: Alison | January 25, 2010 at 02:02 PM
Happy Birthday, Drew!
He sounds like an amazing little guy. How could you resist the kisses? I sure can't!
Posted by: caramama | January 25, 2010 at 01:04 PM
That's lovely. I have two boys, but when my oldest (just turned five) sneaks out of bed so he can "check on me" and make sure I'm okay, I should get mad but I let him come snuggle with me for a few more minutes. Happy birthday big guy.
Posted by: Jessica | January 25, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Awww. I love my little buddy, too. The one who wants me to smell his armpit right after he gets out of the shower, asks me to "cheers noses, Mommy," comes up with a wide range of sound effects for his car play, and who every day makes me crazy and overjoyed at the same time.
Happy B-day little guy!
Posted by: Karen (SubMommy) | January 25, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Aw.
I was just thinking that last night, while TLNG was trying to keep me in her room with extra 'I love yous!' and 'Kisses!'
Pretty soon, she's going to be too old and too cool for that stuff, so I shouldn't be in such a rush to get it over with already.
Posted by: TNG | January 25, 2010 at 11:21 AM
I am crying like a crazy woman over here. I love when we write posts like this about our children. Freaking A why did no one warn us about this motherhood love.
Happy Birthday to your lil man.
Posted by: Juliana | January 25, 2010 at 11:15 AM
How sweet! Happy Birthday to your baby boy. :)
Posted by: Keyona | January 25, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Congratulations on stifling the wolf mommy with a three year old around. My stuck -in-the middle is a precocious and charming and EXASPERATING 3 yo, too. I wish I could say that I got through our timeout routine mostly without yelling :(.
Posted by: Smirkhouse | January 25, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Such a sweet, loving post!! Happy third birthday to your boy.
Posted by: Mrs. D | January 25, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Awww. What a beautiful post. And a very Happy Birthday to your special little guy.
Posted by: EmmieJ | January 25, 2010 at 10:11 AM
What a sweet, sweet birthday post! Happy Birthday Drew!
Posted by: Jill | January 25, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Oh, Kristen beautiful!
Posted by: amanda | January 25, 2010 at 08:24 AM
How sweet! Happy Birthday to your little boy and yes I know all too well about them growing up to fast. 4 kids, 3 oldest boys and my oldest son will be 15 in March. I am still scratching my head wondering how the heck that happened so fast!!
Enjoy him and don't let your hubby make you feel like there is anything wrong with doting on him! He will be a better man, husband and father someday because of the love you give him today :)
Posted by: Ruth | January 25, 2010 at 07:10 AM
Happy Birthday to Drew!
He's the first baby I asked to hold when I realized at BlogHer 07 that I was ready for baby 2. Got pregnant the following week. ;)
I can't believe he's already 3.
Posted by: Lady M | January 25, 2010 at 06:05 AM