two

Can it be true? are you really two?

it feels like just the other day we celebrated your one year mark

how soon those cautious first steps turned to confident running

how quickly your baby babbles evolved to clear words, even sentences.

how suddenly you went from “mama’s boy” baby,

burrowing into my shoulder when strangers were near,

to engaging everyone with a friendly ‘hi’ and a happy ‘bye’

you don’t need mom or doggie to help you sleep anymore,

instead you cuddle up with a book or two,

making sure they are tucked into your blanket with you

Yes, babyhood is officially over by your own proclamation of

“me boy”

but some things haven’t changed-

like the way you prefer to be cheek to cheek when carried or cuddled

asking for hugs when you really need one

and your signature dimpled smile

so as we marked your day with pizza, balloons, and your first r/c car

I sat back and watched your joy

content that although you are no longer a baby,

the years can never change you from being

my own little boy