My almost one year old is finally jumping onto the solid food bandwagon! As our weaning road begins to take shape, she nurses almost exclusively before naps and at night. Naptime is simply perfect. I never want to give up this opportunity to lie down with my little beauty.
Yes, usually I'm pestering my almost four year old to keep it down and that quiet time means Q.U.I.E.T. or impatiently waiting to do one of the million things on my to do list. Recently however, I’ve been overwhelmed and I’m finding solace in the simple. Time where I am just there with my daughter. Thinking about how much bigger her head is than it was almost a year ago. Breathing in the sweet smell of her while tucking a stray wisp of hair back behind a tiny ear, knowing it will never again be this small.
Sometimes she is so busy that she'll begin attempting calisthenics. Rolling onto her tummy, keeping her head fairly still, she’ll walk her feet up actually lifting her bottom off the bed. Softly I place my hand on her chubby, rosy cheek whispering a reminder that it's time to be going sleepy. Gently I'll pull her lower body close, letting the weight of my arm rest there, holding her still enough for sleep to wash over her.
While last week I was comforted skimming words and silently turning pages, this week I find myself scanning a gorgeous face, memorizing the exact hues of blue in her eyes and beautiful red of her lips. My thoughts wander a bit to the sandy blonde wisps of hair, curious if the hint of strawberry will fade away as more years pass.
Tiny fingers clasp my seemingly giant index finger so softly at first and then strongly they pull my finger toward her chest right below her chin. Tiny toes tickle my pale stretch marked tummy as her little eyelids do touch and goes.
I linger a bit longer, knowing that dishes can wait for a Mommy to marvel over a miracle of life. My own breathing a bit slower, my spirit revived and my heart full, admiring the innocent look of peace sleep brings over my daughter’s face. I soften my footsteps out the door and down the stairs knowing that so much more than perfect nutrition was just shared.
7 comments:
I think I've commented before but I just had to come out again to say hello. :) I've really been connecting with your posts recently. Our little sweeties are very close to the same age. I laughed out loud at your "she'll stay latched on while attempting calisthenics." So does mine. :) I'm at the stage in nursing that I'm ready to be done, but not at the same time. I just wanted to say thanks. It's fun to read about your milestones and your real life as a mother. Your children are blessed. :)
Isn't nursing just the most wonderful connection with your litte miracle? I can't imagine not wanting to do this...my daughter is 16 months and sometimes she cracks me up the things that she tries to do while latched on. Then at other times I revel in the quiet connection between the two of us before bedtime when we stare into each other's eyes and I try and sear the moment into my memory. Great post!! :)
This is one of my very favorite things. I miss it so much with Gray, but it was time for us both to move on and now I am preparing for the next baby!
Steph
How many Stephanies read your blog?! :)
What a sweet post. Why is so hard to learn to just savor the moment and enjoy each day and stage?
Oh I love when those precious nursing babies/toddlers get wiggly. There is just something so precious about it. My little one is 13 months, and I am treasuring all of these nursing times. Blessings!
It's such a precious time--I kind of miss those moments!
That was so beautiful! I remember not to long ago I weaned my now 2 year old and how precious were those exact moments of time. Thank you for your sweet, sweet post!
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