Samuel was fussy yesterday. Not a simple baby day, but rather a full-fledged tantrum on the floor with legs kicking type of fussy day. He was exhausted. I was even more exhausted.
He just needed to be rocked. Held. Loved.
I picked him up, rocked him a bit, and then sat down at my computer to check for emails regarding our Nutcracker Ballet (which, for all you interested readers, is THIS Saturday). I’d rock, and then stop — scroll down with the mouse — and then resume rocking. I followed this pattern for several minutes.
Could I not rock him without needing to multi-task?
Luckily, those are the thoughts that slammed into my face as I read about silent auction signs. I stood up, clicked the button to turn the monitor off, and walked downstairs to our family room. Then, slowly, I began to rock Samuel in my rocking chair. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. He fought me — remember he’d been the super crabby baby — but I kept rocking. A lullaby that I sang when he was first born came back to me, and finally as I sung those words his weary head fell onto my chest.
I would have missed this moment.
I rocked Samuel for 15minutes. That’s it. It didn’t change my work. My house didn’t get messier. But Samuel? He had me. Undivided.
That was exactly what he needed.
I’m so grateful for the clarity that I had at 6:56 pm last night. Clarity to remember that family trumps everything. Maybe my Nutcracker sign isn’t as perfect as I’d want it. Or my floor spotless. That is perfectly fine with me.
I had Samuel. It was me and him. No strings attached.
9 comments
Thank you… I need to remember this. My baby is much more important than the computer, the house, or whatever else is wanting my attention. You can’t get those simple moments back…
Your words ring so true. I have been in that place. My children are 21, 19, and 8. My daughter is married and has a beautiful baby girl. Now I sit and rock my granddaughter while her mother finishes her nursing degree and savor every single minute. (I still occasionally hold my older kids on my lap and rock them – even my 6’4″ 19 year old!) Other things can wait.
I always love reading your blog because of how the posts seem to hit home with me. I am also known for multi tasking or telling my children “in a minute” but lately Ive been trying to make sure they are a priority.
Sweet. I need to take those moments just for my kids too.
I linked up today to your recipe exchange!
We had the same kind of day yesterday! After Bucket finally fell asleep for his nap after throwing an EPIC tantrum, I laid in bed with him for awhile, just snuggling and loving on him.
how precious. tender moments of doing nothing but rocking your babe mean everything. i’m thankful for the gift of not multi-tasking. : ) now, if i can only remember to unwrap this gift more often! i love the picture; it’s priceless.
I will apply this to my Grandchildren. I didn’t have the many distractions that Moms today have when I was rearing our children and I’m so glad. I probably would have allowed some of them to interfer with my mothering time.
I’m always totally amazed at how well you seem to handle your busy, busy life. A real inspiration and sure do wish I could be there tomorrow to see the ballet performance.
A most blessed week-end to you!
So sweet, I love how you put it, baby trumps everything!
God always uses your posts to speak to deep places of my heart. I am guilty of multi-tasking. I need to slow down and give my children the attention they deserve!