The time when Ellis ditched me.

I knew it was only a matter of time.

I knew the time would come when Ellis would rather spend time with his Dad over time with his Mom, but honestly I didn't think it would happen at age three.  I thought maybeeee by age four, but probably by age five for sure -- he'd rather go do stuff with Dad.  And I'd be ok with it.  I'd be ready for some alone time.

Well, it happened already.  Zac introduced Ellis to the world of coyote hunting this winter & now Mom is left in the dust.  And I was surprised how un-ready I was for it.

It was February 2nd -- 6:30 in the morning.  The boys were getting ready to go, and I heard Ellis say to Zac, "And Mom's not coming with, right Dad?"  My heart sank.  I could tell in his voice that he didn't want me to go with.

Zac looked at me, with that deer in the headlights look like, "uhhh, what do I say to that?"
So I said, "Nope, Mom's staying home, just you & Dad today."
"Good." said Ellis, "Yeah, you can't come with Mom.  You stay home."

He totally ditched me.

I held back tears, snapped a pic, and saw the boys off; Dad with his mug of coffee and Ellis with his sippy cup of milk.

And so the time had come.  If given the chance on a Saturday morning for Ellis to hang with Mom or hang with Dad, he WILL choose Dad.

But, that wasn't always the case.

The first year of his life Ellis was nursed, so I felt like he always needed me.  Because he did... I provided the food.  He wanted me.  I could stop the crying.  I could help him fall asleep.  I could make it better.

The second year of his life he was very sick for a major part of it.  And let's face it -- when you're sick, you just want your mom.  Plus, he was really too little to go do stuff with Dad.

But now that he's three, he wants Dad.  Dad. Dad. Dad.

Honestly, most times I'm ok with it, and grateful for a break, but sometimes it also pains me a little bit that he chooses Zac over me.

But let's face it.  Zac is wayyyy more fun than me.  He's more adventurous.  He worries less.  He has cool "boy" hobbies.  And he's just easier going.

Since I've had a bit of time to reflect on it now, I also realize that Ellis chooses Dad because he sees Dad less.  Dad works long days, Monday-Friday -- time with Dad is just more precious.

And really, watching them together makes me sooo happy.  I love the bond they're creating -- I feel like it's kind of the same type of bond Ellis & I shared during his nursing year.  And I'm glad Zac gets to experience that, just in a different form.

But sometimes.  Just sometimes, I wish he'd still choose me.

I've heard it said that Moms & Sons, and Dads & Daughters each share a special bond -- and that may be the case.  But right now.  Ellis is definitely a Daddy's Boy.

How can I win him back?? 

Just kidding.

Kind of.