Monday
Aug022010
A Magic Moment
Monday, August 2, 2010 at 4:00AM
We arrive home from having dinner at my parent’s house around 9:20. Her bedtime routine has been interrupted twice by getting her ready to deal with the weightlessness of a trip to the moon, otherwise known as strapping her in her car seat, and taking her out again.
I place her in her sleeper, hoping she’ll go right back to dreamland.
Ten minutes later, she’s overtired and crying, but I still get a smile when she sees I’ve come to take care of her. Looking at me like, “Oh, mommy. There are you are. I was wondering where you were.”
And I pick her up, put her on my chest and instantly she is silent.
In that moment, I possess magic.
I’m learning that it’s the magic that comes from being a mother. From loving and caring for this little person night and day, every day. A connection that can only be truly understood by doing. One I glimpsed when seeing other moms suddenly silent their babies by simply lifting them and placing them on their chests, but one I never thought twice about until now.
I lay back in bed and feel the magic.
And it’s a perfect moment. But, like any perfect moment, it can end at any time, either by a noise too loud, a movement too strong, or, more likely and simply, by the inevitable passage of time.
So I lay there trying to memorize everything about this perfect moment. How her hands laying in loose fists are almost falling into my armpits, her little froggy legs spread over my belly, leading down to her feet, one by my pelvic bone and one about to slide off my side. Her fuzzy hair softly brushing my chin. The weight of her. Her undeniable and universal baby smell making me high. Her limpness, a combination of sleepiness and trust.
And I wonder if maybe I can just fall asleep like this. So this perfect moment can last longer. With the light on, with my glasses slipping down my nose and with my leg starting to tingle – can I fall asleep like this? Just so it’ll last?
But I know I won’t sleep well. And I need a good night’s sleep.
So I can be fully aware when the next perfect moment hits.
I place her in her sleeper, hoping she’ll go right back to dreamland.
Ten minutes later, she’s overtired and crying, but I still get a smile when she sees I’ve come to take care of her. Looking at me like, “Oh, mommy. There are you are. I was wondering where you were.”
And I pick her up, put her on my chest and instantly she is silent.
In that moment, I possess magic.
I’m learning that it’s the magic that comes from being a mother. From loving and caring for this little person night and day, every day. A connection that can only be truly understood by doing. One I glimpsed when seeing other moms suddenly silent their babies by simply lifting them and placing them on their chests, but one I never thought twice about until now.
I lay back in bed and feel the magic.
And it’s a perfect moment. But, like any perfect moment, it can end at any time, either by a noise too loud, a movement too strong, or, more likely and simply, by the inevitable passage of time.
So I lay there trying to memorize everything about this perfect moment. How her hands laying in loose fists are almost falling into my armpits, her little froggy legs spread over my belly, leading down to her feet, one by my pelvic bone and one about to slide off my side. Her fuzzy hair softly brushing my chin. The weight of her. Her undeniable and universal baby smell making me high. Her limpness, a combination of sleepiness and trust.
And I wonder if maybe I can just fall asleep like this. So this perfect moment can last longer. With the light on, with my glasses slipping down my nose and with my leg starting to tingle – can I fall asleep like this? Just so it’ll last?
But I know I won’t sleep well. And I need a good night’s sleep.
So I can be fully aware when the next perfect moment hits.
Copyright; 2011, Blahggy. All rights reserved.
Reader Comments (12)
you are so awesome at putting words to the feelings... being a mom is stressful and sometimes not very fun, but i guess all that other stuff is to make us remember those absolutely wonderful, incredible, unbelievable moments of pure LOVE!
Being a mom is one the hardest things ever, but also one of the most rewarding things ever. Thanks for reminding us all to slow down and remember the special moments.
Those moments make all the bad days worth it. You captured it so eloquently.
What a beautiful post! Such a precious moment captured.
It is so funny that there is often something uncomfortable in those sweet moments...glasses sipping down, legs tingling. I know I've held a sleeping babe so long that my arms hurt!
The little moments are to be treasured. Glad to see a momma loving her baby so.
I love when Nate smiles at me when I go to pick him up out of the bassinet in the morning. Easily the best way to start any day. And I wish I could fall asleep next to him every night. Well, his bassinet is next to me, but I mean like share my pillow. LOL I love how trusting they are in their sleep. It reminds me of the awesome power I hold as a mother. It's so huge in those small moments.
Thank you for the compliment, Shelly! You are the first commenter of a list to say something to the effect of how hard being a mom is! Haha! I'm only two months in, so I'm gearing up!
Hi Amy! I'm glad I could be a reminder. I'm sure I'll need the same as the months and years go by!
I remember those moments and miss them. My boys are all "big" now, but I still try to treasure the special moments I have now.
I still do the exact same thing!! I try to soak up a moment so fully that I burn it into my memory to hold onto forever. There are so many amazing magic moments. It is so nice to see the same love I feel for my babe echoed in your post :)
love it! now i really can't wait for my baby girl to arrive :)
This is really well written! It is really touching to read. :D
Hey Grace! Thanks for the compliment. You should have kids. :)