Time To Let Go

I'm slowly realizing that I'm not encouraging my boys to be independent.  Heck, I just converted Gabe's changing table into a big boy dresser.  He's four years old, people.  I was still putting him on a changing table!  I guess I just wanted to do it myself (it's easier).  I know that I need to let go more, and tonight confirmed that thought. 

I was helping Gabe put on his pajamas tonight after his bath.  Now that he doesn't have a changing table, I typically lay him on the bed and put on his clothes.  I realized tonight that laying him on the bed is just like laying him on a changing table.  I owe this revelation to my son, however.  As I went to put on his one-piece pajamas, Gabe told me that he could put them on himself.  I was surprised, but I let him show me how he does it.

Just watching him put his legs and arms into the pajamas, manipulating the clothing all by himself, made me cry.  I just can't believe that my little baby can dress himself.  Why does this make me cry?  It just looks so foreign to me; it makes him look so big.  And it's so hard to see that, and it makes me feel crazy.

Time to let go.  Time to let him dress himself, even though it takes longer.  My baby is growing up!  Wah!!!!