He sleeps.
Snuggled under quilts and cool sheets.
Tousled head on a pillow, soft with down.
We are the odd sort, the parents who keep our little ones
snuggled between us until late toddlerhood,
when, even then, they only fall asleep in the evening
on their own tiny mattresses,
and by the wee hours, have walked
sleepily, tumbling feet, stumbling headlong,
grasping the sheets, helped by a stronger hand,
climbing
into the familiar comfort
of Mama
of Daddy.
We hardly wake,
pulling them close,
wrapping an arm around their soft, warm little selves.
Their breath, even, slow,
warm on our shoulders,
lulling all of us.
We sleep.
Closeness,
So fleeting.
How many more years
until they no longer trip over their own feet
across the hall, into our bed?
So we snuggle.
Cuddling, close.
And I hold my own breath.
Knowing they must grow.
Must become men.
Strong and noble.
But wishing,
for time to stretch.
Never wanting it to end.
Sleep well, here, near, my little love.
The winner of the Softly Sweetly giveaway, chosen by random.org is (really!) commenter #1… Bethany… who just happens to be my lifelong sister-friend, sharer of my birthday, maid of honor in my wedding, and the best photographer I know. She’s going to eat these marshmallows and promptly go for a run. I know her.
For the rest of you, head on over to Softly Sweetly and choose your favorite variety of homemade marshmallows. You will thank me, I promise.
Now that one of our pairs of little feet has a bed they can climb out of, there’s a lot more pitter-pattering to our bed these days… Sometimes, we all four are snuggled together by waking time. Somehow, though, the biggest two people in the bed just don’t sleep as well…but I savor the moments anyway.
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There is just nothing like it.
xo
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Love it. You know we are the odd sort, too. :)
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My favorite kind of sleep!
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The ONLY way to sleep!!!!
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How precious! I am in love!
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wistful sigh to the 7th power. :o)
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Yay for Bethany!! LOVE this post!
Ginger~
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yes… simply yes… these are sweet, beautiful days (and nights) and they will be gone all too fast.
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im already looking forward to a little snuggly person of my own to sleep with between me and my love… and im already deeply saddened that it will oneday, not long from now, come to an end as well.
I love this post.
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I guess we are odd too, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! There is nothing I enjoy more than snuggling with my little ones, knowing they are safe and warm in my bed!
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Love this!
They are usually kicking me or lying on top of me, but it is the best!
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We sleep that way too. Our 6 yo has all but stopped, but the 4 yo comes in pretty much every night. There’s nothing like holding her in my arms as we all cuddle back to sleep! Priceless!
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Aww….the family bed :)
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They do grow so fast. I love watching Caleb grow and learn new things, but sometimes I wish he were still just an itty-bitty, nursing and sleeping and cooing.
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This odd mom loves it too…will never never regret soft downy heads in my bed
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Ashleigh–
Several months ago, I stopped reading YLCF because of the anti-attachment parenting (for lack of a better term) posts there that made me so sad. I’ve continued to read your blog (and Lanier’s) because I sensed a different tone…and I’m so glad I did. This post truly resonated.
Enjoy this time with your sweet boys. It is so fleeting.
Thank you.
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