Nighttime Ritual & Motherly Thoughts

Since The Prophet was born, I've gotten into the habit of checking the munchkins every night before I go to bed. I stop in their rooms, make sure they're covered, sleeping in a comfortable position, & give them a kiss or two. I can't fall asleep if I haven't checked on them - I feel like I've forgotten something. After tossing & turning for a while, I've been known to jump up & run into their rooms! Sometimes, I'll take a little extra time, sit on the bed beside them & say a little prayer. They look so peaceful & I regret the times throughout the day when I've yelled at them or been wrapped up in my own daily tasks.

A few years ago there was a comic strip (Marvin, I think) in which each panel showed the mother constantly frustrated. He'd get into her purse, make a mess at the table, etc - all the normal things most kids do. The last panel showed her looking down at him sleeping in his crib, wondering how, after all the hassles & frustrations of the day, all she wanted to do was pick him up & hug him. I think that was when The Prophet was a baby & I knew exactly how she felt.

As mothers, we tend to get so wrapped up in the tasks we need to do for our families, that we forget the real task of spending quality time with the little ones. As The Saint is nearing one month, I see how fast he's already growing. His face is filling out, he's getting the little "rubberband wrists" & stretching himself out more each day. It's only taken me four children to realize that they're only young once & the tasks will always be there. Now that I'm feeling much better & healing well, I need to focus on spending more quality time w/ them - not just schooling them, but playing & doing fun things w/ them.

Last night, while doing my rounds, I stopped in The Princess' room first. She was mostly asleep, but looked up at me when I peeked in.

Princess: "Wanna tiss & hud me?"

Me: "Of course, I want to kiss & hug you!"