All Growed Up

For the uninitiated into the world of parenting – I present to you this staggering figure: from birth ‘til the age of 3 a single child will need to have 6,570 diapers changed. No, I didn’t make that number up and I would say the actual number is probably higher than that. But it makes my point.
When your child is potty trained, it is a liberating experience for all involved.
No more diapers, wipes, genies, pull-ups, snapped-leg pants. On the other hand it also means your child is officially no longer a baby.
The Mud Puddle has made it to Big Boy Land. Now I am happy for him and so proud that when he was ready he just did it (future Nike spokesman perhaps), there has not been an ‘accident’ since Friday night. Dry pants for almost a week. I had no idea that was even possible.
On the other hand… he is a big kid, a toddler, a pre-schooler - not my baby is what I am trying to say.
Another apron string snipped.
Now anyone who knows me knows I am happy with the one I have and want no more but it is a little sad to turn this page.
He was a fun baby, very happy and silly and just everything I could want in a child but I could have wallowed in babyland with him a little longer.
Because I know full well that the further we move away from birth, the less he will need me and the closer he will get to being an independent person.
All of this from a pair of size 2T Nemo underwear? Yes, the milestones that make the montage video (birth, first step, graduation, wedding, etc) are the ones we expect to become verklempt about. But there are emotional land mines, the little incidents and events that sneak up on you and pierce you right in the mommy spot in your heart. And there is no defense, no shield of armor you can don to protect yourself.
I love him more everyday and am sure I will grapple the rest of my life with his need to fly and my need to hold him close. Cue Whitney Houston, and batten down the hatches, it should continue to be an interesting ride.