Many nights (I would say 3 out of 5) Jonah is not exactly the little angel I wish he would be. Those nights, he refuses to go to bed peacefully and squirms and wiggles and whines for way longer than I would like (and yes, I am fully aware, it could be WAY worse). He falls asleep during his bedtime bottle, and then as I am placing him in his crib, he rolls over and wakes up! Bright eyed and bushy tailed, and rearing to stay awake. I have tried numerous things to correct this new habit he has, but nothing has seemed to work. With every whine and wriggle he gives me, I grow more and more weary...then tonight, something happened. As I picked him up for the 5th or 6th time out of his crib, and I hold him close and sh-sh-sh him and rock him back and forth in my arms, he calms down, closes his eyes, and his breathing slows. The slowed down breathing is my sure-fire sign that his is going to fall asleep. And he does, and within a few minutes of silently slumbering...beneath his binky...I see the most precious and beautiful smile grace his little sleeping face. Tears come to me eyes as I think to myself, "No matter how long I have to sit here and rock him, no matter how many times I have to pick him back up, no matter how many times I say 'sh-sh-sh', it is so worth it." I love that little guy more and more everyday, but somewhere in the mix of his cries and whines and sleepless nights I forget exactly how precious every moment with him is and how fast he is growing up and how one day he won't let me cuddle, kiss, and hug on him anymore. I feel guilty for forgetting that. I NEVER want to forget that. That smile, those slow-deep breaths I felt rising and falling against my chest, that soft little face pressed up against my arm, that little baby hand gently scratching at my chest, all as he falls asleep in the comfort of his mama's embrace. That very moment, is a moment etched in my mind for the rest of eternity. I will never forget these moments and I will cherish them forever.
3 comments:
ah yes, it is wonderful isn't it?
today was a rough day for my three year old, yet when he sat next to me on the couch he never looked so handsome.
Their sweetness always brings us back to that place where they make our hearts melt, no matter what they put us through during the day. Great post.
That picture is precious!
Steph
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