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I am fondly remembering the first days of my son’s life, when he was tiny and unable to sit on his own.  Wishing I could go back and enjoy them just a little bit more, I wonder, am I missing any of the beautiful, treasured moments today?  Jimmy, you are such a sweet little boy right now.  3 1/2 years old next week.  Still not potty-trained.  The accidents continue almost daily, and I launder little underoos time and again.  It’s so frustrating.  And I break the rules of potty learning experts.  I stomp my feet, show you my “mad face”.  I tell you, if you’re going to be a big boy you need to start going poo in the toilet.  You nod, sullen.  Like you are ever sullen!!  Such a spirited little boy, and so popular at Montessori school.  The tiny girls hug you each day and you hug them back with authenticity that reminds me so much of myself.  Such a loyal friend and a giver of hugs.  You’re fond of your teachers at school, as well.  Ms. Anna teaches you songs and alphabet letters.  Ms. Manuela takes you to the potty.  You report back on the days when you disappoint her, too.

You’re a jigsaw puzzle savant, you know.  24 pieces is too easy.  48 pieces will keep you busy the first few times.  100 pieces gets you amped up and you ask, help me mommy.  You pull up a chair, clearing a space for me to sit.  I often am too busy feeding your sister or clearing dirty plates so that I can cook dinner.  I wish I could be two places at once, but such is the wish of every mommy.  Perhaps I will learn to forgive myself a dirty house sometimes, so that, when you’re 14 and you don’t want to play with me anymore, I’ll remember that I did take you up on your games when you were 3. And I did accept your hugs.  And we argued and laughed a lot when you were small and spirited and never sullen.