Remembering...

Some things I've been reminded of since I became a mama again after forty:

1.  How ironic it is that the same baby who gags on oatmeal will cheerfully consume fuzz from the carpet.

2.  The joy of being greeted first thing in the EARLY morning by a little one who is TOTALLY delighted at seeing you again (even though she slept near you and seemingly nursed all night).

3.  How many things can be accomplished in those 60 seconds of handing a baby over to someone else so you can do something "just for a minute". (Infamous statement of mine around here…fifteen minutes later I will have tidied the bedroom, thrown a load of laundry in the washer, hung up clothes, collected all the stray dishes, fluffed the pillows, straightened the throws, blown-dry my hair, powdered my nose, and checked my emails.)

4.  How fast the first year goes even though some afternoons seem to crawl by --exhaustingly slowly-- when baby doesn't want to go down for a nap.

5.  What fun it is to be able to answer "Yes!" to the person who asks if the baby is mine. (Especially since so many assume she's my grandchild. ;-) )

6.  The incredible entertainment of playing "peek-a-boo" and allowing a tiny tot to feed me delicious cheerios. (How can this compete with going shopping or playing bridge with the "girls"? ;-) )

7.  The de-stressing activity of singing lullabies, nursing, and rocking a warm soft cuddly baby to sleep. (Especially wonderful when you can close the door to a busy household and escape to the nursery with such a good excuse!)

8.  The satisfaction of taking a wet, hungry, fussy baby and changing, feeding and calming her with tender loving care.

9.  The thrill of ballroom dancing with a little one -nightgowns flowing and swirling in motion!

10.   The devotion of a baby who lovingly and adoringly reaches out for mama when no one else will do!

I hope you'll do like I'm doing --treasuring these moments for they won't last forever; our little ones will grow up before we know it! Of this I'm sure --my older children are already grown and it seems like not too long ago I was experiencing all these things with them. Make each moment count and never take it for granted. The opportunity to nurture these babies is a privilege and gift from the Lord!