Rocking My Baby

Two nights ago I was up too late.  I couldn't sleep and I hate laying in bed not sleeping, so I got up.

Pumpkin woke up (well, kind of half woke up) to use the bathroom.  I went to check on him and startled him when he came out of the bathroom.  He was tearing up a bit because he was startled. And he really began to cry when I told him he needed to lay back down in his own bed and not come lay with Daddy and me.

His sweet little half-asleep sad face!  Oh!

So I asked him if he wanted to rock for a while.  It has been a long time since we rocked.  If he curls up just right he still fits on my lap in the rocker.  So he put his little head on my shoulder and we rocked for a while. 

It was very sweet.  I wondered if it could be the last time I rock him back to sleep.  He was breathing deeply and totally relaxed, but I whispered to him, "I might not get to rock you very much any more because you're so big, but thanks for letting me rock with you tonight."  And he mumbled, "You're welcome, Mama." 

Even mostly asleep my baby is so polite!  I was surprised he even heard me! 

I just want to remember what his head smells like and how he feels so much heavier when he's sleeping.

Then...

Last night Pumpkin woke up again, fussing about something.  I went to check on him and he was cranky and whiney.  He kind of stomped his little feet and held up his arms and demanded, "Rock me!"

Huh.

I did rock him, but it was much less sweet the second time!

Still, how lucky am I that I have an almost-five year old whom I can still comfort, who feels better if he is near me, whose little hand reaches over to pat my face as he's falling asleep?

Crazy, crazy lucky, that's what I am!  But I'm hoping we'll both sleep through the night tonight.

Comments

[Caroline]

I love this! They grow up too fast I think!

[Chelsea]

So sweet. Reminds me of my sweet little guy. I love rocking my babies too.

[Heidi]

Bitter sweet ~ so dang tired that I'd love to be able to sleep thru the nite, but cherish the midnight snuggles in the rocking chair that will end all too soon!