He says it over goodnight kisses…the two of us stuffed in his bright red firetruck bed, snuggled close and offering up prayers. “Mom, I’m really not a baby anymore.” My little man, almost four, looks at me with big, brown eyes and confirms what I’ve been wanting to deny. No escaping it.
Life happens quickly. And before we know it, those moments we think we’ll cherish forever become a distant memory. Little feet get bigger. Little laughs get deeper. The wide-eyed wonder of seeing all the world for the first time dims a bit as routine and experience take over.
But he’ll always be my baby…
When he learns to read and count by fives…
He’ll always be my baby.
When the cape turns back into a blanket…tucked away in the closet for safekeeping.
He’ll always be my baby.
When the pacis finally find their resting place and the thumbs no longer wet and soggy…
He’ll always be my baby.
When his booboos don’t need mama’s kiss…
He’ll always be my baby.
When the playground isn’t his favorite place to go…
He’ll always be my baby.
When his footsteps become strong and confident…
He’ll always be my baby.
When he becomes aware of the world around him…and the silliness wears off a bit…
When the holes in the knees of his jeans are there because he bought them that way…
When daddy is so much more than just a favorite play toy…
When climbing trees isn’t so big of an adventure…
And life takes on new meaning…deeper and true…
He’ll always be my baby.
***********
Stay tuned at the end of this month (the 29th) as we announce a NEW (to us) photo link-up that will give you the opportunity to show off your babies (even if they’re only babies to you).
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This was so good and made me cry!! I know this feeling and I tell my boys that regardless of how big they ever get they’re ALWAYS going to be my babies!!
{tearing up} this is in my heart too. my “babies” will are 6 and 3 this year. and i’m determined to let them be little as long as they will. <3 Thanks, Brooke. God bless you and your babies.
Eryn {mamahall}´s last [type] ..all for you
Oh, I’m crying…my “baby” is only 3, but he already tells me “I’m NOT a baby!” if I call him that. Even the other kids tell me he’s “not a baby” if I let it slip. They grow so fast…
My baby will be 4 this September and the boys (twins) will be 2 next month.. it’s going so fast! I keep telling the “baby” to stop growing and to stay little, but he says Mom, I have to grow to be big like Daddy!
Such a beautiful post, gets right to the heart!
This brought tears to my eyes as I remembered my baby today, the one who only made it to 18. The one with whom I had so many wonderful memories as I looked at your pictures and reminisced. To all you moms who still have your little men, give them an extra tight hug for those of us who mourn our sons today. But also rejoice that today signifies a day of rememberance that without Jesus’ great sacrifice none of us would ever have the opportunity to reunite with our babies again! So my tears are also tears of great gladness! For Rejoice, He is Risen!
Brooke, this is so sweet! I’m looking back down the road a bit more than you, and I still say, “He’ll always be my baby…”
Laura´s last [type] ..My Journey This Week
Love, love, love when you post about your sweet boys. I love your mommy heart.
Is it just the boys who say, “I’m not a baby anymore?” This is a beautiful post, and yes I was tearing up. I was even crying at the comments. We are so blessed to have boys. Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone.
Lynda´s last [type] ..He will carry away our sins
That is so true… our oldest is 13 now, and is so big and strong, confident, and yes, I cried when he walked onto a plane bound for his grandparents place last week
So exciting to see them all growing up and walking in the ways of God. btw – that same huge 13yr old STILL comes begging for a hug, and every now and again needs an on-your-knee hug lol
Andrea´s last [type] ..The Very Best
Beautiful Brooke! I’m reminded again that the days are long but the years are short!
Sandra´s last [type] ..Easter Weekend
Words that tug at my heart daily…the pictures do such a great job of telling your story! Luv your “baby” and luv you! Thanks for the fresh tears.
My baby is going to be 18 in 5 short months and a senior in high school. But he knows he will always be my baby!
To those of you with younger ones — grab every moment you can with them, even if it means giving up “me” time. These years go by so quickly!
My children all know – no matter how big they get – they will always be my babies. Beautiful poetry and beautiful photography!
Nikki´s last [type] ..My Boy