Written by: Selena (mum)
You search for my eyes with a curious look, drinking eagerly all the while. Tiny fingers fiddle with anything within reach. I feel your little heart beating calmly, your soft hair sliding across my fingers. All sorts of thoughts race through my mind as I get lost in your gaze - a mix of emotions, with a good dose of tiredness stirred in.
Right now, only our little moment together matters. The world keeps rushing on while we take a moment for each other. Your eyes grow heavy and start to close. It's contagious, and meanwhile I spot my cold cup of coffee just out of reach. Right as your eyes fall fully shut, the neighbour slams her front door, and two cars decide to honk at exactly the same moment. For a second, I think back to my trip through India years ago - there, honking was how you made yourself heard and seen in the chaotic traffic. Here, the reality is a little less romantic: it might just wake you up.
Luckily, you're completely out cold, and I gently lay you down in your bed. Good - now I can drink my cold coffee and do something for myself for a moment. Or catch up on the laundry. You're lying there, still and silent, so I tiptoe away without a sound. But in the doorway, I make the biggest mistake of all: my little toe catches the door frame. Your eyes fly open, and your cry tells me this power nap is over.
Sometimes I let you cry for a bit - babies sometimes cry before falling asleep, and that's okay. But today, I let everything else wait; it's our day. Together for a moment, while we listen to the world outside. Sounds that carry me back to memories, experiences I'd love to share with you. There's so much to tell, little one, and since you're awake anyway, I'll start with my trip to India. The sparkle in your eyes tells me you're listening closely.
What stories will you want to tell your own children one day?