feeding ducksj. It’s so much fun to be on the receiving end of a run down the hallway and the little one flinging himself into your arms for a hug.

j. Hearing “I love you” in his soft sweet voice.

p. Hearing the same question repeated five times even though you’ve answered every previous question.

p. Hearing “why?” 50 zillion times. (BTW, my cousins told me yesterday at the family reunion that I deserve this. According to them, “why?” was my favorite question until I was around 7. Word is, I drove them all nuts until I decided to act like a normal person.)

j. Hearing the magic words, “please and thank you.”

j. Playing peek-a-boo. It’s hilarious when he puts a cover over his head and thinks we can’t see him.

p. Endless whining about what he’s not going to eat. OMG. Shoot me now.

j. Feeding the ducks and geese. It’s so much fun, I may have to go by myself now.

p. I don’t want…my diaper changed, to take a bath now, or to take a nap. Later. Not now.

p. His utter horror at getting wet himself after he sprayed me with a hose. I thought he was never going to forgive me for lightly spraying him back.

j. Teasing him about how to say “milk.” I say, “milk.” He says, “No, milky.” Repeat. Endless laughter over this one.

The joyful moments are absolutely fantastic. The painful moments are a hell that make me think I never would have survived having a 2 year old of my own, and he was only here for 5 days. I started this post on Friday, the day he went back to Mom & Dad. It’s Sunday now, and although I’m not ready for another 5-day stint, I’m already up for another shorter visit.