A good Monday? Yeah, I would say today was good. It had its usual stresses and frustrations, but it had so many beautiful moments sprinkled throughout.
I have decided it is time for Moriah to start sleeping through the night in her own bed. This is not an easy decision for me, and I may still give in, in a weak moment, but I really believe that sleep deprivation is about to cause me to lose my mind. Today things seemed so hopeful for a change. Even though my sleep was cut short, I only nursed once during the night. It was most enjoyable to hold my chubby, soft Moriah in the quiet, dark house. We fit together like a little puzzle as she rests her little hand on my breast and nurses herself back to the land of nod. I just breathe in her baby scent. It is bittersweet because I know this moment will leave my memory like all of the other sweet, nursing moments. It's like a beautiful sunset that takes your breath away and you think the vivid colors will surely always stay in your mind, but they have been forgotten almost as soon as you turn your eyes away. That is why I must drink in the moment as it is happening.
My sleep was interrupted once more by Hosanna who had wet herself trying to get to the potty in time. It was almost time for the invasive alarm to sound its disruptive beeping. I helped her get cleaned up and into some fresh clothes and then I decided it would be easiest to let her finish her sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed. I snuggled back down under the down comforter with my back turned to her and started to drift back off when I felt that precious, chubby little hand rest on my neck. I gave it a little pat and we fell asleep this way.
Monday I am almost always behind, so I decided we could survive this once on cereal and take a break from our usual eggs and buttery grits. Sophia and Gwen the Hen peer in the window at us when we eat. I never knew chickens liked scraps as much as a dog. They look kind of curious and hopeful at the same time.
I tried Tarah's bread recipe today. Bethany follows me around all day begging to help and get her hands into whatever I am doing. She babysits and changes Moriah, folds laundry, helps Hosanna with whatever she needs at the time, and loves to cook. Having a baby coo in the kitchen and my five year old sprinkle flour into the dough I am kneading on the table has always been a dream of mine. It was only minutes before Moriah started to wail and I became impatient with Bethany and the phone rang (and for some reason I answered it?!) but all of these moments in my day are blessings, gifts from God. These moments are so brief, but they are my joy.
