Emotions

I know you all have at least one child who is not a "cuddle bug."  I hoped so much that Sedona would be.  It started off easy to cuddle her. She had no choice.  And, she was too little to push away from me!  She was an infant that HAD to be swaddled, though, or she would not sleep.  As time has gone by and she has gotten older (and bigger) she has become exactly what I feared...INDEPENDENT and completely un-cuddly. (if that is even a word)  Not that independence is a bad thing, it will serve her well. And I quite enjoy that she is self-entertained and that she likes to do things by herself.  She is sassy and full of personality that totally reminds me of myself as a young kid. (maybe this isn't so good...)
Anyway, it has been quite a while since Sedona has wanted (or allowed) me to swaddle her.  It has been MONTHS since she last let me rock her to sleep and sing to her.  She is great about letting me give her a bottle and then placing her in her crib, shutting the door, and then going to sleep on her own.  I know, every mother's dream, right?! And I should be dancing in circles with gratitude that she is so. dang. easy.  Not so...not for me, anyway.
She is my only baby. For now. Maybe forever.  I HAVE the time to cuddle and sing and rock her to sleep!
Well, today, for some reason, she didn't follow her normal routine.  I did exactly what we have been doing for the last several months (even when she was sick) and ten minutes went by and she was not sleeping.  Fifteen. Twenty. Still upset.  I went into her room and picked her up. She snuggled right into me.   "Wow. Okay, I'll take that!"  I sat in the practically unused rocking chair and began to rock her.  She squirmed and pointed for the door.  "Well, that was short-lived," I thought.  But no, she needs to take her nap.  So, I held her tighter and she fought it, but only for a second.  As she relaxed I started to sing to her.  "I Am A Child Of God."  Her favorite song since she was an infant.  She relaxed and put her hand on my face.  Heaven. This must be what Heaven is like.
Within the time it took me to sing 3 Primary songs, Sedona was fast asleep. In my arms. I didn't want to let her go.  My baby is getting so big. So...grown-up.  I was filled with emotions.  Lots of happiness and gratitude for this beautiful blessing in my arms, and a tinge of sadness because it is all happening so fast.
Mommys...remember the tender moments.  FEEL the emotion of the moment. Record it, somewhere.  They are such a blessing in our lives.  I hope you all have a great day doing and being what we were meant to do and be!