Still MY baby

He's 4. He's big. He's independent. He wants to play with Daddy over cooking with me. He doesn't need me to help much anymore. He is growing fast. I am sad.

Tonight, we were getting tucked into bed... our usual routine consists of our "favorite part of the day", prayers, and "big hugs and kisses". Brayden has been shying away from my "big hugs and kisses" I would hug him for hours and kiss him and squeeze him. He typically now only offers his forehead to speed the process. But... tonight...
Tony is out of town. We rented movies... we stayed up late... I was quickly going through our bedtime routine to get to my own rented chick flick. Apparently, we missed "big hugs and kisses" (Although I could have sworn I kissed him but anyway...) After leaving his room, I went downstairs to check email. I hear a sweet meak voice on the stairs...
"mommy?"
"Yes Brayden?"
"you forgot 'big hugs and kisses'!"
"I did?"
"Yes, can you give them to me?"

Thinking to myself... are you kidding me? I thought you hated them... OF COURSE, I WILL!!

"Sure son"

And we had "big hugs and kisses" and he returned to bed.

Now... either he really secretly still likes his mother's hugs and kisses or it was a desperate attempt to get out of bed... Whatever the case may be, I am choosing to believe the first one...