So in love

I'm so in love with my son. He's adorable. I could do without the night time wakings and the tantrums, but he's just the sweetest little boy. After a tantrum, he'll seek you out for an extended hug. Same with the night time wakings. And I gotta tell you, he gives the best hugs in the world. There's something about the strength of the little arms holding your neck that's the most precious feeling in the world. And then there's the funny little things that he does. If you've got your face cuddling his head and you lift your head before he's done with his hug, he'll pull your face down.

It's a pure, innocent love that's simply intoxicating.

Even the times when he's not cooperating, it's very cute. You can almost see his toddler mind working. There is no malice, no negativity behind his intentions. He wants to play, he wants to laugh, he wants to feel loved, he wants to feel important, he wants to feel independent. It's all very sweet and endearing.

I'm shocking myself with this sudden change in attitude. Previously, I found his tantrums exhausting. I'm not sure what's happened, but for the last 24 hours, I've felt nothing but love for the little guy. Maybe it's baby-sitting my niece that's changed things. He used to get irritable starting around 4 or 5 in the early evening, but we've been picking up my niece from daycare at that time and the two of them have a blast until it's time to go to bed.

Maybe it's because I see him interact with her. He's totally in love with her. He'll share everything with her. He follows her around and imitates her. She, being older and wiser, tries to "teach" him things. Mostly, she'll read to him and point out the names of items and tries to get him to repeat after her. She also goads him into doing things that he shouldn't. It's sweet watching them play.