Falling in love again

I'm with Evan every day, from the time his little face appears at my bedside in the morning until the moment I tuck him in at night. We have short breaks here and there for school or therapy or an errand, but for the most part we are constant companions. And while this is wonderful and I love being with him, it leads to a sameness, perhaps to taking each other for granted. He knows that I will always be here to change his pants and pour his juice and play cars with him, and I know he'll always be waiting for me to do those things for him. I'm with him so much that sometimes I don't even notice the little changes each day brings, and the growing he's doing from week to week.

Last night I was up in Erie, alone. This is something that never happens, but I had some things to do and Mike decided that he would stay home with Ev. This was good because the two of them got to spend some special time together, just the guys, and I got to take my time without interrupting Ev's routine or stopping off at the nearest Playland because he'd had enough time in the car.

As nice as my little trip was, I missed my guys and called home once to see how things were going. Everything was fine, and the boys were having a wonderful evening. As I chatted with Mike, I could hear Evan talking in the background. Just talking away, "Hiya, Mama!" and "more cereal" and most endearing, "love you Mama." Of course I melted. I never talk to Ev on the phone, and somehow his words really reached me when I couldn't see him speaking them. When did this happen, that he's talking so much and so well?

It just made me fall in love with him all over again. I kept exclaiming to Mike how excited I was, how happy that he was talking. My heart just ached to hear him, and I was never so pleased and so proud. It really hit home then how far he's come, and what a beautiful thing I was hearing. My kid, talking to me over the phone.