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Love Thursday: Quiet Moments Alone Together

Feb 282008

It’s not always quiet in our house. It used to be. Back before BigBrother came on the scene. And, honestly, even after for awhile. He was pretty quiet in his younger days. Then he began talking. And never shut his mouth. Add in the fact that his volume knob is stuck on Outside Voice mixed with constant car noises and, well, it’s just not too quiet here.

I’m not really quiet. If you know me, I’m kind of loud. Not outgoing. Just also stuck in the Outside Voice mode. It’s a trait in my maiden name. But even though I’m loud, I cherish quiet moments. You know. Those still quiet moments during which you can actually hear yourself think! After both boys are down for the night and I’m sitting with my book on the couch. The moment after I’ve found my “spot” under the covers and have stopped moving and shuffling under the sheets. The sound of snow falling in the middle of the night. Yes. Apparently my quiet moments are at night.

I’m able to catch some quiet moments here and there during the day. Some days, not all days. In this picture, BigBrother was actually asleep. LittleBrother had been put down for a nap that didn’t last very long. So, FireDad went into rock him in hopes that he would go back to sleep. I walked in to find this moment of quiet beauty. I love nothing more than FireDad having a quiet moment with either of the boys. It warms my heart. It makes up for all the noise. It gives me energy to make it to the next quiet moment.

Here’s hoping that your Love Thursday is filled with a quiet moment or two.

Love Thursday: A Special Bond

Parenting, Photography 10 Responses »

Feb 212008

There are moments that I will remember forever. With each of my children, I have a running list of special moments between “just us.” The one-on-one time with each child is hard to find at times because life gets in the way, people and work need attention and each child has their own list of personal needs that sometimes interrupt time with another. But memories are being made. It’s good.

Right now, I’m so very happy that I have a nursing relationship with LittleBrother. We get multiple moments per day to just stare at one another. To be honest, BigBrother usually runs into the room and asks fifty-two questions, flies an airplane, runs a truck over my toes, asks to hold LittleBrother, whines when I say no and runs away screaming. But those are special moments in their own little way. He’s my mover and shaker whereas Little Brother, well, he’s my chill baby.

Sometimes I use these moments with LittleBrother to regroup a little bit. That’s a little easier to do now that I’m not in any pain since he got his tongue tie fixed. I can now tilt my head back, close my eyes and relax for a few minutes. That is, when I’m not smiling back at milky-smiles. In fact, our first feeding in the morning is usually not super productive because all he does is smile at me, over and over, like he is so happy to see me after not seeing me all night long. It warms a Mother’s heart, I tell you.

I know breastfeeding is good for him. I know all of the pros. I’m glad to be doing the “right” thing for him when it comes to nutrition. But, right now? It’s just as much for me as it is for him. I didn’t think I’d ever be one of those women who talked about the bonding and actually enjoyed the process. Especially when I was in pain and trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with our latch. But oh, I love our moments together now. Even our hour long, cluster feedings from eight to eleven in the evening. (Hey, I get to lay on the couch and watch prime time! New shows! Woo!)

Since LittleBrother had his tongue tie fixed, I have a free hand now. (I previously had to make sure everything was going well and support with my free hand.) So, I’ve been snapping nursing shots like it’s going out of style. I took this one yesterday as LittleBrother took a celebratory drink after his first four times rolling over. (!) This shot shows love in so many ways. Nursing. Cloth diapers (that’s a new Mutt from the last stocking). And that special bond that LittleBrother and I are forming. Love in the small, everyday things. Or, repeated everyday things. That’s the best.

Love Thursday is back! Join in!

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