I don’t know what it is lately, but I feel we’re in a phase over here. A phase that I do not want to end. A time in our children’s lives in which I’m acutely aware will be ending too soon.
We are in the cuddling at bedtime phase. Well, we’ve actually been in this phase for coming up on six years now. However, the difference is…I want to be there. Right there in those rooms lit by nightlights, reading books, singing songs, telling stories, and cuddling.
There was a time in the not too distant past when I was itching to get out of those rooms. To go downstairs, take a deep breath, and plop down on the couch. To decompress. I needed that reprieve and, on many days, bedtime could not come soon enough. I still have those days, don’t get me wrong.
But last night, while cuddling Little Sister to sleep, she did something that slowed me down. Just as we were saying our good nights and settling in for a few final cuddles, she starting stroking my hair. Her tiny little hands gently sliding across my forehead, pushing my hair back.
It was the sweetest thing.
My three year old daughter, comforting me.
That song by U2, The Sweetest Thing, started playing in my head.
Ain’t love the sweetest thing.
It was then that I realized the popular saying, this too shall pass, holds true for moments like these as well.
This time, that popular refrain was not comforting. So…I stayed longer…not wanting this moment to pass.
Lately, when I tuck my son in bed, he has been giving me very long hugs, hugs so tight that he stays wrapped around my neck even when I start sitting up, like a little koala. I know that someday, he's be more likely to push me away than hold me close, and like you, I decided to stay a little bit longer.
I love cuddling JDaniel and he totally knows it. He uses it to stay up a little longer. I really don't care. He won't always let me snuggle with him. I want to enjoy it while I can.
I know exactly what you mean! I wish I could have some days to sleep past 5:30 and often I can't wait until Abby is old enough to sleep in. The other day my husband said that in a few years she'll be old enough to get up and get her own breakfast. Instead of comforted, I felt sad! It's hard on me getting up so early but I know I'll miss it when this stage passes. It's so important for us to remember that every stage will eventually end and we should slow down and enjoy it. I'm glad you had such a sweet moment, thanks for sharing!
Oh that is so beautiful. Really.
I loved 3-years-old, even with all its challenges.
I have said at every phase of my children's lives "This is the best."
Right now they are 11 and 13. And it's the best.
I can run to the grocery store and not take them.
I can trust them to brush their teeth and dress themselves.
I can expect sarcasm and humor in their stories and read BESIDE them instead of TO them.
And even though they are knocking on the door of both being full-blown teenagers, at least for today? They both would rather be with my husband and me than anyone else.
For today.
So every night, we make time as a family to be together. Because I know it won't last. You are so wise to record these moments now. My babies were three years old yesterday.
Or ten years ago.
Either way, time slips away too quickly.
Ahhhhh…these moments are so fleeting. Savor them with your heart 😉 I always do.
I know exactly what you mean.
If I even look like I MIGHT make a sad face, my toddler comes up, pats me on the shoulder, pets my hair and goes, "It's OK, Mama. It's OK." I want to make sad faces just to get him to do that! Too cute!
My daughter does that. Those tiny hands petting my hair is the best feeling ever. It does make you want to stop time!
I love bedtime, too! Cuddling, reading books, singing songs. The whole thing it's just awesome!
Beautiful post
I am in the "i need to get downstairs and get my first break of the day" phase. Although I do sometimes lie down with my little girl..
how very sweet. my son used to do something like that when he was a baby and i nursed him. he would stroke my arms and face, exploring im sure, but it was heart-melting
You've got me all teary…I want those times back.
At least for a bit.
Enjoy, my friend…..(sniff…sniff!)
I hadn't thought about the good stuff passing, too. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy every second.
Melissa, you are the sweetest mom and I love your posts! My youngest (9 now) still likes to fall asleep in his bed (after I've read a few chapters of a book to him) with his hand over my heart. I want this to last forever. In fact, that is the way I would like to die.
I LOVE those moments! They are amazing!
I love these moments…
beautiful post!
I know what you mean. When my youngest was three, I "woke up" to the fact that I needed to embrace every moment. I have been trying to do that for the past few years. It does make the passing of time a little easier to bear, because I know that I've been trying to soak in every second of my kids being little.
Aww love it. I can't wait til mine consciously returns hugs and kisses….
"This too shall pass…"
::sob::
Why can't we pick and choose when to slow life down a bit?
Lovely post, Melissa…so lovely.
These are the moments we moms live for! What a sweet post!
ahhh so sweet! Too many of those sweet special moments come and go so quickly! I always find myself wanting to pause time…just to be in that moment a little longer.
I LOVE this and the best part? You have it saved more than in your memory – you have it it writing.
And THAT is probably one of the best things about our blogs. 😉
I always have to remember that these moments are fleeting when I become impatient with my 4 year old. Pretty soon she won't want to stop long enough for my cuddles or I will be invading her privacy when I "hang out" in her room.
This is a good reminder.
These are the best moments ever. Lately my little boy and I cuddle on the couch together in the morning too (sharing a blanket over our laps). I hate it when it gets cut short because I have to get ready for work… May you enjoy many, many, many more of these moments!
Can I just say how glad I am you popped over from Studio 30 Plus to visit me so I could get the chance to come here and read this? I, too, have a 3 YO who amazes me with her tenderness and snuggles, but at times I do all I can to rush through bedtime. And U2 – totally rocks.
Ooooh it's true. I can't leave that room fast enough because that's exactly when they want to talk and talk, and that's exactly when I finally get a reprieve. But my heart is going to ache when this period is over.
We have a glider in Maddie's room, and while I never rocked her to sleep as a baby, we sit there now and I tell her stories before bed. She started it as a way to cuddle ON me, with her head tucked against my chest, but she's starting to get too big to comfortably sit like that, and sometimes sits next to me. Which isn't nearly as sweet.
Boo!
This is so sweet! I love it when my daughter runs her hands through my hair or puts them on my face and tries to comfort me. There is no better feeling!
What a sweet post! I love those moments!
What a beautiful moment! I'm so glad you shared it, whenever I read these lovely posts you write about your kids I like to think that these are things I can look forward to seeing in mine.
What a precious moment to treasure!