“Hi Momma,” he grinned like it was no big deal he just hurled his baby body out of his crib, opened his bedroom door, strolled down the hall to his brother’s room and twisted open that knob too.

“Latham, how did you get out of your crib,” I gasped as he toddled toward me.

“I don’t know,” he laughed after he wrapped his chubby arms around my neck and squeezed.

Released from his room, Reichen was two steps behind breathless to provide play by play of their great escape.  “MOMMA, Latham opened my door!  He got out of his crib,” he excitedly said while jumping and clapping.

Out of curiosity, I walked Latham to his room, plopped him in his crib, and asked him to show me how he hopped out. 

He didn’t. 

He just kept his secret and smiled. 

The mater of fact statement made by my mother-in-law after David complained he didn’t like the brand of nose spray he borrowed from her.  Yes, borrowed.

Better.

Best.

The second I saw these pillows at Target, I had to have them for the vignette area in our master bedroom.  I really like mixing stripes and patterns together and for $14.99 a piece, the price was perfect.  But here’s the thing, the quality of the kidney shaped cushion is impeccable.  It has a plump and well made pillow insert and I thought the removable blue and brown stripped  fabric case was silk until I read the tag.  It’s amazing what they can do with polyester these days.  And if the boys ever get a hold of them with their dirty hands, I can just pop them in the wash. 

“My momma is Nina,” I smile at him and say.  ‘Nina’ named herself after my brother gave her her first grandchild seven years ago.  I’m not sure why she didn’t want to be called ‘grandma’, but I have a sneaking suspicion it had a something to with her feeling too young to take the title.

“Your momma is Nina,” he squints while questioning my reply.

“Yeah, buddy.  Nina is my momma,” I confirm.

Reichen mulls it a minute before asking, “Momma?  Who is Dadda’s momma?”

I see it.  It’s happening right in front of me.  He’s making connections, my first born.  He’s beginning to think outside himself.

“Dadda’s momma is Grandma,” I say.

“Dadda’s momma is Grandma,” he reiterates.

During the 10 minute trip to Target, we go through quite a few branches of our family tree.  Who are my brothers, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas.  Who are daddy’s brothers, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas.

And he gets it.  And it’s amazing. 

Almost as amazing as him going #2 on the toilet. 

Almost.

Thanks Parenting 411 for naming 3 Stinky Boys and Me to your Top 20 Best Parenting Blogs.  I’m so super psyched about it.  And if I had a designer dress, I’d totally wear it while writing this post.

But I don’t.

Instead of this…

That wouldn’t happen.

A fabric potted plant from Etsy:  it’s a good thing.

David:  “Why do you want me to go to work, buddy?”

Reichen:  “Because I need some money to give the lady at the mall so I can ride the carousel.”

The sweet conversation I overheard between Reichen and his Daddy.

You squeeze me tight and say, “Don’t let me float away.”

“Never,” I reply.  “You’re my baby now and for always.”

I realize it’s the wind that you’re worried about

“These are really big gusts,” you snuggle up and shout.

Your 3 year old self is convinced it will happen

You just know you’ll drift away unless you take action.

So you scamper up my leg and to my neck you cling

“Momma, hold me tight,” I hear you begging.

My world stops spinning and I will myself to remember

This moment with you, I will treasure it forever.

Your words, your embrace, your weight in my arms

Your smile, your giggle, your little boy charms.

You won’t fly away now, but one day you will

You’ll have lots of adventures with the dreams that you fill.

And when you’re soaring in the sky, I will remember this day

When the wind whipped and you worried you might float away.

And, here’s the cherry on top of my what’s wrong with me sundae:  it’s not the first time I’ve done it.

Interior designer Palmer Weiss is a genius.  Click here to enjoy more of her absolute awesomeness.