Toddlerisms

Hard as I try I cannot keep Scottie small. He's six and a half now, and he's lost just about all of his toddler charms. He finally learned how to say "forehead" and not "fork head" and "feet" instead of "foots". You may blow your nose at those things but to me they are important. I'll never hear him say those words again. You know it's amazing how much the little things mean to me now that they're gone forever. What I wouldn't give to go have the days of his early youth again.

He does have a few bits of wisdom left, like the way he still says "dark time" instead of "night." And when he gets a blister from his little tennis shoes, he calls it a "blistard." When he sees a Peanuts cartoon he calls it "Snoofy." You know, I guess he's not that grown up after all...

He lost his first tooth recently, and I did the whole Tooth Fariy thing. Yes, he still believes in her, as well as Santa and the Easter Bunny, and I intend to keep it that way for as long as I possibly can. He still believes in dragons, and wants to be a Jedi when he grows up. I hope that day never comes.

If I could give you some advice, it would be this: Love your child. Love him like you're drowning and he's the air that will keep you alive. Let her sleep in your bed whenever she wants. Hug him daily,and don't ever, EVER let him forget how much you love him, not even for a second. Burn every tiny little thing she does into your memory. Write it down. Take pictures or make movies. Do whatever it takes because their childhood is the greatest thing you will ever be a part of in your life, and once it's gone your memories are all you have left. If you're anything like me, your memory ain't foolproof.