i was just getting ready in the bathroom when emerson came in and said, "mommy, why are you wearing that shirt again?".

"oh honey, because sometimes when mommies have babies in their tummy, they don't feel so pretty. and this shirt makes me feel prettier so i wear it a lot. "

"but mommy," he says, as he builds a lego tower, "you'll always be pretty while i'm here. right? because i'm the one who loves you."

my heart is lodged securely in my throat.