Today, after putting the boys down for their naps, I stretched out my tense, achy limbs with 20 minutes of yoga. Then I padded into the kitchen to heat some milk for a mug of hot chocolate and picked up Sophia from her bassinet. She wasn’t asleep yet and looked up at me with her big eyes and smiled. I took her and my mug over to the sofa and lay down, propped up on brown pillows, placing my mug on the near-by coffee table.
I cuddled her against my chest. I felt the rise and fall of her breathing, kissed her velvety head, smelled her sweet baby smell. The hum of the heater was soothing. Outside the sky was gray and drops of intermittent rain pitter-pattered down. The room was dark and quiet.
Usually my afternoons are busy with Getting Important Stuff Done. I race to assemble grocery lists and menu plan, process photo sessions, put together photo session orders, blog, work on an article, get dinner started, you get the picture. I’m driven to use the time wisely and quickly. Naptime is a time to kick into high gear.
But not today.
Today I stopped. I savored Sophia’s baby-ness. I delighted in her little body nestled against mine. This time is so different, so much sweeter. Less of a struggle. And it’s going by so quickly! Last time, time seemed to stand still, to drag those first few months. But the past three months of Sophia’s life have flown by despite my trying to capture them.
Today I spent time capturing the moment with all my senses. Because today is the only day I really have, anyway.
Ah I know the feeling.I held my two month old grandson last night as I cuddled him close I wondered. What did Mary feel like and think as she was holding baby Jesus?
What was her hearts desire for him as his breathing matched hers in a warm cuddle.
So wonderful. So warm. So heart breaking.
So tender.
I love yoga. It always helps me to relax and gives my body the ability to press on.
Stopping to enjoy a moment with your child is something I try to do. Infanthood, toddlerhood — it may seem to last forever, but as you know it is fleeting.
Good for you for not stressing and for taking the time to just enjoy life. I want to do that more.
good.for.you!
That is the best kind of day, absolutely.
Such a great time – savoring and capturing her babiness. love that line by the way. May you always remember that moment!
What a sweet afternoon! Take time to capture those moments whenever you can. Babies grow up as you’ve wisely learned.You definitely used the time wisely. 🙂
Yay! Take it all in. I love how the gospels describe Mary as treasuring moments in her heart. I try to do that with my kids. Glad you had such a lovely afternoon. 🙂
LOVE this post Danielle. I could picture it all. Glad you were able to savor and I hope you will get many more afternoons like this. I know it encourages me to continue to treasure these moments with our newborn.
Love it. My ‘baby’ is almost 3, and my other one is 6 and started Kdg this year, and I can hardly believe it. It all slips away so quickly while we’re just living our lives. It’s these moments that remind us to be more intentional and purposeful and aware of the present moment!
I saw this yesterday. You helped me figure out how to approach today.
lol – and to follow up on that – I simply loved the post. So restful. Beautiful.
So sweet!!!! It all goes by too fast. Those cuddle moments are the best!
beautiful post. i did and still do the same thing with my baby knowing he was my last. he’s two now but i still cuddle him at night and sit by his bed during nap just to hear the gentle rhythm of his breathing.