Embrace

There is a park across the street from our beautiful campus. It has a mile long track that goes around a pond with a fountain and flowering trees surrounding it. This evening, we walked to the park and Josh went for a run around the track. Hunter and I walked around and enjoyed the beautiful trees.

I carried Hunter in the bjorn, which he still loves. As Josh ran, Hunter and I found a park bench to sit on. And that is where I had the best moment of my week.

Hunter has been showing a new level of independence the last few weeks. From only eating what he can put into his mouth himself to turning over and squirming anytime his diaper is changed, the baby has morphed into more of a squirt lately. His new-found ability to army crawl has enabled him to get into things he shouldn't and that means mommy's job has just gotten harder.

But today, on the park bench, he put both of his arms around my neck and pressed his cheek to mine and he just wanted to hug. I sang to him, rocked him, and loved on him all while he clung tightly to me.

There is nothing like holding a newborn, and I have missed those days lately. But today I discovered there is nothing like holding an almost 10-month-old who clings himself to you because he wants to. Talk about making my heart melt. I love this little boy more and more everyday-- and I don't even see how that is possible.