Monday Musings: Itty Bitty

We made man size calzones, and calzones for hungry big boys, and finally a little itty bitty calzone for a little itty bitty person.



A pinch of pizza dough, a dollop of tomato sauce and a sprinkling of mozarella is all it took to put a big sparkle in his eyes, and earn a happy "Mmmmmm" from this little Wild Thing. Of course he sampled the dough before it was ready to be baked, and he somehow managed to grab a handful of flour with his itty bitty fingers and trail it through the kitchen and living room. The dog even inherited half of his calzone when we weren't paying attention. And when his lips were covered in tomato sauce, guess who he came over to for a big hug? Before I could grab a napkin he grabbed me and turned me into his personal napkin (again). Yes this happens, sometimes daily. Nothing says "I love you Mamma!" like a lip print of tomato sauce on your new jeans.

And yet I wouldn't trade these days for anything. Soon he won't use me as his personal napkin anymore. Right now his needs are few, his wants are simple, and I can meet them all. I know when he needs a cuddle and when he wants to be tickled. Right now I am in his every horizon. Later, only a few short years from now I will not be his center, I will be peripheral. His wants will become more complex, and I may not be able to make all his dreams come true. But right now, right now we're tight. So I will take those messy kisses, the messy floors, the diapers and even the frazzle brain that comes with being with a toddler 24/7. This time is fleeting.