A few days ago, as I put my baby to sleep and gently laid her in her crib, I felt a sense of relief. A day full of entertaining, changing diapers, and feeding, was coming to a close, and soon it would be my time. Well, that was short-lived and interrupted by a restless, crying baby. I was left using my time to hold and comfort her, because that's what she wanted: my time.
At first, I was slightly irritated. Why doesn't she just go to sleep? Why won't she let my husband console her? Why, 15 minutes after I put her to bed, does she wake up again!?
Those thoughts and feelings quickly faded away with one thought: she will never be this little again.
She will one day grow to be an exploring toddler; running and playing off on her own.
She will one day go to school for the first time, with her backpack full of supplies, and her mind ready to learn away from home.
She will one day grow to be an independent teenager, not wanting to be rocked to sleep, not crying and waking up me in the middle of the night to eat or be held.
As I sat in her serene, darkened room, I felt so peaceful. One day, this little baby I held in my arms will be grown up, and too big for me to hold anymore. I wanted to hold her forever.
Cherish the small moments, for they go too fast. I'm learning how true that is.
