Dear Carter,

Dear Carter,

I wish I had a picture of this, so you could melt the hearts of everyone who reads this just like you did mine today.  In fact, lately, I wish that I could walk around with a tiny little camera affixed to my forehead so that I could instantly capture every little thing you do, because most of it is too cute for words.  You always melt my heart, but today.... today you went above and beyond.

Today was your first day back at daycare with Terry in LaFayette, after a long summer of being spoiled by being with Mommy, Daddy or Grandma Nancy 24/7.  I was afraid you'd cry when I dropped you off, so I braced myself for the worst.  I reminded myself that this is really good for you, that you need to interact with other kids and get used to being in a different environment.  Then I handed you over to Terry after a quick conversation... and you smiled.  You didn't cry or whine, or even reach for me.  Maybe you did after I left, but I don't know... because I was too busy sobbing my heart out and trying to keep my mascara from running on my way to work and cursing the fact that it's a quick drive, so I had to pull myself together quickly.

I counted down the hours until I got to come pick you up, and then at 3:30 when I pulled into Terry's driveway, I saw a little face pressed against the door.  At first I thought to myself, "what a cute baby!  I wonder what mine's doing."  Then I started wondering if it was you, but decided it wasn't.

But then... then that baby opened his mouth and licked the window and I instantly knew it was you.  As I walked towards the door you started bouncing up and down and smiling from ear to ear.  Terry picked you up so I could open the door and you lunged for me, laughing like crazy and clinging with your arms wrapped around my neck like your little life depended on it.  You touched my face, my ears, my earrings, my hair and shrieked, laughed and squirmed.  It was one of those moments that will forever be burned in my memory.

Today, you made my day... my whole week even.  It's indescribable to see you -- my son, my heart and soul, my greatest accomplishment -- reflect back to me exactly what I was feeling in that moment.  I love you so much.