Sunday night, after a full day of Easter festivities, I was certain that Kendall would pass out the moment she laid her blonde head of curls on her err...pillow {she doesn't use a pillow yet}. She had fallen asleep in the car on our 30 minute ride home and I thought that would be just enough time to give her a little boost of energy for the rest of the evening. When we got home she wanted nothing to do with staying awake. Keeping her up till 7:30, to avoid a 6 am wake-up, was proving to be difficult. But, alas, thanks to several episodes of MMC and an outfit change, we made it.
Our normal night time routine commenced, just 30 minutes early. Warm milk, a story, prayers and bed. Or so I thought. Girlfriend was awake for 2.5 hours after that. She was in her bed and mostly just making noise but every once in a while she'd cry out, she dropped Blankie, she pooped, etc. At first I was annoyed, why was she awake after all that running, looking for eggs and being out in the fresh air all day?
But then, I think on my second time into her room, I stopped and changed my mindset. Maybe she was cold? Maybe she was overly tired? Maybe she just wanted to see her mama's beautiful face? {hey a girl can dream}.
Instead of being irritated I was needed. She needed me. For whatever reason, she wanted her mama that night and that's not going to happen for much longer. So instead of trying to hurry and get her to sleep I cherished that moment. I had nothing to do outside of her room. Jimmy was asleep, the house was decently clean, the dogs had been let out for the last time that night, all I had to do was be with her. That night I decided I'd rock a little longer, snuggle a little more and just be there, with her.
So I studied her little arms and how they are almost not baby-like anymore. She's got one lone baby roll right above her elbow but that's it. Same with her legs. She's losing that baby chub. Her bangs are getting long again and are going to need a trim soon. The rest of her hair is slowly growing but she's still rocking the baby mullet {thanks to daddy}. She was singing/talking/humming to herself in a tune that only she knew and it was making my mom heart melt into a big pile of mush. Her middle finger was crossed over her pointer finger the entire time and she, like her daddy, rubs her feet together when she's sleepy.
She felt so big in my arms. Her legs dangled over the side of the glider. I remembered her being so little in that chair. I could remember rocking her in that same chair this time last year. So tiny, she fit on my chest and her little legs barely touched my waistline. But the more I gazed at her the more I realized, she's still a baby, my baby. She still likes to be rocked by her mama. She still snuggles up to me. She still needs me.
I know there aren't going to be many more nights where mama snuggles will cure everything. I know that soon enough she's going to run in the opposite direction. But for now she's mine, all mine {well and daddy's too}, and those are the moments that make life worth living. Well, that and this silly little face she keeps making {she's cutting her eye teeth so she bites her tongue right where they're coming in}.
Man I love this little girl.
Perfect post for KP! Those pictures are just too cute! Love her!! I can't wait to meet her one of these days!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! She is a doll. You are right, changing your mindset like that makes all the difference in the world. Some nights it's harder than others...but if you can pull it off, the reward is so worth it!
ReplyDeleteI loved every bit of this post. Love it. And love you. And love her. Could she be any more adorable?
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, love that. I have to remind myself of that sometimes too when the irritation threatens to take me over. I just don't think about the bigger picture sometimes, but need to get better at that!
ReplyDeleteLove this post. She is so sweet...love those photo's!
ReplyDeleteyou made me teared girl. i feel your every single word...our babies are growing up so fast you want the time to stop sometimes (sometimes only).
ReplyDeletelove you, and your little KP. especially love the last picture, priceless.
Melt. My. Heart.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a beautiful post. It made me a little teary eyed. I can't wait to be a mom! <3
ReplyDeleteThis is so heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteLove on your little while you can, she's a little doll :)
This is so sweet! Thanks for such a great reminder!
ReplyDeleteJackson has been having these types of nights lately. He should be exhausted but for whatever reason wants to sit in his room and play. I get so frustrated that the child won't just sleep but you're right these moments will be gone before we know it! KP is just beautiful. Wonderful post today, Shannon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! You made me get teary eyed here because I had the same realization the other night while rocking my 13 month old son. They aren't as small as they used to be. :( Btw, your daughter is ADORABLE!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these reminders. It is hard when there are frustrating moments and my baby is not doing "just what I want" but then I try to take a step back and remember this time is fleeting and she won't be a baby forever and I need to embrace this stage, not wish it away!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, in the haste of life we forget about stopping and smelling the roses or just starring at your babies. Thank you Shannon!
ReplyDeleteSo so sweet, she is such a little doll and you my dear are a great momma!
ReplyDeleteWay to make me into a hormonal puddle of mush. What a sweet post.
ReplyDeleteShe is precious and you've made me a crying mess at my desk during my lunch break. I am just thinking how my son has those nights sometimes too and that he's not going to have many more. Great post.
ReplyDeletelove.
ReplyDeleteThis is so incredibly sweet! She's a gorgeous little lady
ReplyDeleteCould these pics be ANY cuter!?! For REALZ!
ReplyDeleteAw!! She is too cute!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get those little hair things, btw...I would love to get some for Chloe! They would look sooo cute!
ReplyDelete