At Night

At night, Jude gets all slap-sleep-happy and runs a muck around the house.  I say, "Jude, let's put on your jamikins."  And he gives me a sly smile and then bolts.  Then he comes back for a peek, and then bolts.

We finally get in our jammies, and then I say, "Jude, let's go brush our teeth."  And he heads straight for his toothbrush.  He insists on holding the brush himself, and when I try he bats my arm away and says, "Nnnnn-nnnn-o."

When we're done brushing our teeth (or chewing on a toothbrush) I say, "Jude, let's go read a book."  Then we're in his room and he points up at his books.  We read two books, two or three times, and then it's time to say good night to the room.  I say, "Goodnight Trees.  Goodnight Blue Tree, and Orange Tree, and Green Tree.  Goodnight Lion.   Goodnight Circles.  Goodnight Baby."  And then he'll say, "Tree.  Roarr.  Circas.  Beebee."

I sing him a song, and he cuddles into me the whole time.  He actually wraps both his arm around my arms in one giant baby bear hug.  And that is my favorite part.  

The thing about being a mom is, every time I think of Jude, I fill up with love, and pride, and happiness.  I literally feel it well up inside of me, until it's like I'll burst.  But I just smile instead.  

It's the best feeling. 

And when I think it just can't get any better, then he'll look at me slyly or he'll fall and come a cryin' or he'll laugh at something that isn't really funny (but then again it totally is) and BAM!  

It gets better.