'I love you to a 5!'

I think I have said it time and time again int he past but this is really my favorite stage/age with Jack. He has become more than my son, he is like my new best friend. Never in my life, even though I have always loved kids, did I imagine that I would love to be around a 2.5 yr old as much as I do. I am in no way a morning person at all (my mom can tell you about that one from the years of waking me up) but seeing his face at the side of my bed every morning makes waking up a little easier :o)

He now has full on conversations with me and while they may not be the most intellectual conversations, they are real conversations and he does not hesitate to tell you what he is thinking or how he feels. I love the innocence of everything that comes out of his mouth and the excitement that comes along with certain things like when he is talking about his new favorite movie 'Cars' or when he's telling me about the new train he wants. He also comes up with some pretty interesting things which make me smile, giggle, and some times shake my head.

The other night I was getting Jack ready for bed. We have a routine that usually Joe bathes him and gets him in his bed where he lays and watches TV for a little while. When it's time to go to bed I go in, turn the TV off, get him to go potty and then back in bed for our kiss, hug and then night nights, love yous and see you in the mornings. Well this one particular night here is the conversation we had:

me: I love you so much buddy, you are my favorite little man ever!
Jack: I lu you too mommy
me: how much do you love me?
Jack: :after a little thought: mommy, I lu you 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!!!!!!
me: you love me to a 5?
Jack: ::with so much excitement and the biggest smile:: Mommy, I love you to a 5!
me: ::holding back tears of sheer joy:: I love you to a 5 too!

He obviously thought enough to know that when he counts to 5 it is the most and therefore that is how much he loves me. Now every time I ask him how much he loves me he says 'I lu you to a 5 mommy' and I have never heard anything better :o)