Lying in bed,

ready for sleep

I listen to the sound of my boy

snoring next to me.

At equal times grateful

for his soft, little boy breathing,

while simultaneously wondering

when I’ll get him to leave.

I know the time will fly,

as so many other mothers have told me,

but right now I feel that’s impossible.

He’s so small and so warm.

Today is day two of big boy underwear,

and we’ve invented a new handshake to celebrate-

well, I did, and he’s humoring me.

The older two like it as well.

Five, ten, knuckles, best friends.

We hug,

and then giggle.

The others join in.

My heart squeezes,

overflowing with love

We’ll try again tomorrow to put him in his own bed.

But for now,

I’ll let him be my little boy

for a little while longer.