I am tired. And recovering from another cold. And suffering from countless nights in a row of interrupted sleep. So…I’m posting this. I needed to be reminded of this today.
Oh, toddlerhood. It’s full of belly laughs, epic tumbles and tantrums. Lots and lots of tantrums. But every time I find myself wanting to scream with frustration or hit the fast forward button on time, I remind myself. It’s only for a little while.
When she abandons her high chair in favor of my knee, and chooses to eat from my plate rather than her own, I remind myself. It’s only for a little while. So instead of getting annoyed, I slip her another bite.
When she wants to play ring around the rosy for the hundredth time, I remind myself. It’s only for a little while. So I risk a churning stomach and twirl her round again.
When she chatters at me in Tori speak, telling me stories I can’t even begin to understand, I remind myself. It’s only for a little while. So I get down on the floor and listen hard.
When she sticks to me like super glue, crying “Up, Mommy!” every time I put her down, I remind myself. It’s only for a little while. So I ignore my screaming muscles and pick her up again.
When she reaches for me from her crib, wanting yet another hug before she goes down for the night, I remind myself. It’s only for a little while. So I scoop her up and hold her tight.
When she wakes up screaming for Mommy in the middle of the night, I remind myself. It’s only for a little while. Someday I won’t be able to chase away the fears that haunt her in the night. So I go to her and I hug her and kiss her and rock her back to sleep.
She’s my baby now. But she won’t be for long. So I try to cherish every moment, knowing that this time we have together? It’s only for a little while.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This is such a beautiful post, Amber. And I’m glad that you are taking advantage of all those precious moments
That’s all that really matters.
XOXO
This one was definitely worth an encore presentation! Thanks for sharing this. I also am constantly reminding myself that I will never get these moments back, and they will be fleeting. No amount of pictures or video will ever give me the feelings I have now.
I hope you feel better!
Thank you! I told myself that again last night when she woke me up at 4:45 for the fifth night in a row. Memories are better than sleep, right? I’m telling myself that yes, they are.