"I love you so much, Mama"

These words came out of Noah's mouth for the first time last week! It was the sweetest thing ever! We were walking around Glenside with Trey and Jeremy (Trey's dad), and after the exciting event of watching a train cross the railroad crossing just when we got there, we made our way up a street painted with beautiful azaleas of all colors. Noah had walked quite a bit, and then had asked to be carried. I tired and suggested I put him on my shoulders. He loved being up high, and practiced "ducking" from the low branches (like in a Dora episode). When he ducked down, he held my head close to his body, and stayed a bit longer in this position, when he said, "I love you so much, Mama!" Yes, my heart melted right on the spot.

Two nights ago I got to hear it again, as I was trying to get him to sleep. He was a bit restless, and was chatty and rolling around on the bed. I was being firm, letting him know it was time to settle down and go to sleep. He came over and hugged me and said, "I love you so much, Mama." Any frustration I may have felt about his (ever later) bedtime disappeared instantly. What a beautiful way to fall asleep. That night, I fell asleep then and there too. :)