The night is my friend. I love the way layers of quiet slowly fall over the house. Sniffing my kids' hair after bath time, reading them books and hearing their prayers and reflections about the day. There's the low hum of my refrigerator, and the amazing rush that I get when I realize that I can do something without children constantly interrupting me. And best of all, there's snuggling with Cameron under the blankets and our late-night card games/movie watching/talking. The night seems so full of promise and possibility.
The morning? Not so much fun. I hate having to leave my warm bed and feeling the cold floor beneath my feet. Cameron is usually gone when I wake up, which makes the weight of being the solo parent hang heavy in the air while I wait for toast to pop up out of the toaster and listen to the kids fight over who gets to turn on the TV. I think of all of the chores and errands that I need to accomplish for the day which makes me want to run back to bed and pull the covers over my head. But... lately, the mornings are starting to grow on me. Mainly because of this:
The first thing I see when I open my eyes in the morning is this sweet face. Phoenix sleeps in our bed. In the morning he usually nurses while I sleep, and then he starts cooing at me and wiggling. When I open my eyes to look at him, he smiles a big gummy smile and gets excited. It's hard not to smile back. Despite my best efforts to wake up grumpy, I fail. How could anyone resist this? I'm in love.
I want to eat those sweet cheeks.
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3 comments:
Agreed, I want to eat him too!! Mornings are when I have my alone time (like right now:)). I get up before the boys and take a walk or watch TV or just sit around spaced out for awhile. I love it!! I know what you mean about the night time, there's definitely a good feeling that comes over you when your child (or children:)) fall asleep and all is quiet.
Hi Rory:
You write beautifully. Here is the contest I want you to enter.
to enter Real Simple’s yearly contest.
When did you first understand the meaning of love? Maybe you were a child, witnessing a generous act by your father or mother. Maybe the lesson came later, as you grappled with the challenges of being a friend, a spouse, or a parent yourself. Whatever made you understand love—and yourself—better, tell us about it.
Enter Real Simple’s fourth annual Life Lessons Essay Contest and you could:
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look at the site and tell me what you think.
Mom
Love in Slumber
Her hair across the pillow,
a golden storm on snow.
A baby snuggled to her breast,
with eyes sea blue,
who smiles like you.
A breath's caress,
love at rest.
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