Baby Weight

Okay, so I know this sounds like I'm going to go into a long discussion of the extra pounds I've added since my two little ones joined the scene.

I'm not.

That's another discussion for another day.

Today, I'm going to talk about one of my most favorite things in the whole world: the feeling of my baby's entire weight resting on me. I don't think I can adequately give words to describe this feeling, but I'm sure some of you out there know what I mean.

Jonathan has been having a stuffy nose just about every night for the past week or so. This causes him to wake up 2-3 times between bedtime (7:30pm) and midnight to sit up and cry a little to clear the breathing passageways. I could probably just let him do that and he'd lay back down and go back to sleep on his own, but then I'd miss out on the whole subject of this blog!

Instead, I creep into his room (trying to let as little light in as possible), grab a pacifier and then lift my little guy up into my arms and slouch down into the rocking chair. I say slouch, because, to fully enjoy this event you can't really sit up straight. I lean back as much as possible and lay my boy onto my chest, tucking his little legs up and leaving one arm beneath his bottom to support him. The other hand is then free to gently rub his back or run my fingers through his baby curls. He automatically turns his head to one side, tucks one arm under him and (oh, so sweet!) grabs a handful of my shirt and doesn't let go.

Now, he stopped crying as soon as I picked him up (what a joy to so easily stop his tears!), but he was still somewhat awake when I first sat down. After a minute or two, he's completely out again and here comes the main event: the whole of my tiny little guy's weight resting on me. The trust implied there - he knows I won't drop him! - the peace and security he feels knowing his mommy is holding him. Each breath I take lifts him up and down, up and down...

I have no words, really, to say what I mean, but I treasure those moments! I feel like I could stay there forever. What a blessing, what an amazing gift God has given to me - entrusting me with the care of this little one! Feeling his weight on me reminds me again of the privilege and responsibility God gives us in our children, and I'm so grateful for each one.