Dear Caden

Dear Caden,

Today you said your first three syllable word!  "Ackabus".  You were playing in the bathtub alone, since you decided that on the day Addison took a monster nap you'd wake up super early (cringe)...  and when I handed you the octopus you named it like you've always known how to say it.   It was amazing to see your grin slide across your face when I said, "That's RIGHT it IS an octopus!!!"  Your face lit up the room.  And your word lit up my heart.

I am so proud of your words.  They have been few and far between for a long, long time now.  But the last few weeks you have been trying new words right and left.  It always puts a  giant smile on your face when you can see that I understood you perfectly.  Of course, who wouldn't smile to see me doing the happy dance all over the kitchen when you say something new. 

I love hearing your sweet little voice talking intently to someone on the play-pretend phone in a made up language that only you understand.  I love listening to you on the baby monitor, talking and talking away when you wake up early.  Sometimes you talk about Daddy and me, or you ask to get up.  Other times it sounds like you're just using all the words you know.  I most especially love hearing you answer my questions, or fill in a missing word when I'm reading.  It doesn't matter to me at all that you leave off the beginning sounds alot of the time.  That will come with practice.  And you'll get alot of practice having to talk to Addison!

Tonight you and I got to spend a few minutes before bed snuggling, talking and singing together.  I know that one day, when you are a big and grown I will still remember how it felt to hold such a small head against my shoulder and hear you talk-singing to no one in particular.  How I wanted to wrap those sounds up in a safe place in my heart, so that I never forget how special it is to be your Mommy.   Oh, how much I love you.  And all the things I know you still have to say.

I love you, sweetest boy.

Mommy