I need Charlie, too!

"Mama, too!!!!" Is the howl I have become used to hearing over the past month. Charlie has been asking for his tag blanket, then milk, then his Mama, too. I don't need to try and explain what this does for a mother's heart. There aren't words anyway. March 1st is drawing near. That means one thing.....PARTY! Well, maybe a little more than one. This year we decided Charlie would like to have a dinosaur party. He seems very excited, and I am constantly trying to help him understand what is getting ready to happen. While I was giving him a bath the other night I was telling him, "Charlie you know you are going to be two! Two years ago you were a little baby." Whoa, there I was, sitting on the tub one minute, and then wiping the tears the next. Two?! Time does fly, that is very true, but I'm thinking to myself how I have let it slip by. These past two years can't even be called a dream because never in all of my growing up girlish dreams did I ever see my life become what it is today. For two years I have been able to wake up to a sweet little chubby faced boy and see my own eyes looking back at me. The Lord has opened up doors for our family that I never thought would be possible. I can't help but think about when we found out he was coming. I questioned my health, his health, his birth, his growth. Would I be able to stay home with him? Would I be able to leave him to work if I had to? Everything came together to give me these two wonderful years. This past year has given us some great memories. Charlie's first sentences, his first big boy bed, his first ER visit (not many people know because his mom is a freak!), and so many sweet things I hope I never forget: closing the door of his room when he wakes up from his naps, singing with his face in the pillow while he is waking up in the morning, calling everything purple, loving the "dars" at night, singing "Big Green Tractor," holding my head in a bear trap with his legs when I try to clean out his nose, yelling "Apppppllllleeeee dddduuuuccee" from across the house, pushing me out of his room while he wrestles Daddy, singing with his song book in church, eating Reese Cups and throwing away the wrappers before I find them, laughing until he loses his breath with Daddy at Tom & Jerry, Charlie knows what mascara is and just how to sneak it on, poking me in the "goozle"when I least expect it, telling me he loves me, holding my hand in the car......and on and on and on. What a blessed year for this mama. This year is better than the complete emotional breakdown that I had when he turned one. My heart hurts to realize this stage of our lives is beginning to fade, but Charlie gives me something new everyday to smile and be thankful for. I want to hold onto him now and keep him just the way he is, but I love seeing him grow and learn. Tuesday will come, and no doubt I will need a cry off and on, but how could I allow myself to mourn on such a wonderful day? This year has been more than I could have expected. This year my baby became a little man. This year I've learned a lot. This year I'm glad that I have my "Charlie, too"

Happy 2 years darling. The world is lucky to have you.




As always, here is the only song that could ever say it all.

"I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give 'em hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
An' now you're teachin' me how only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

The so innocent, precious soul:
You turn around, an' it's time to let them go.

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

Let them be little."