They all tell you the same cliches:
You won’t know that you did with yourself before they came along
There is nothing quite like being a mother
You will have so much respect for your mother once you are one
They grow up so fast
We heard them all and so many more, but we didn’t listen. We had waiting many a long year to have a child. We both longed for children, but had convinced ourselves and each other that we were fine as a couple and that we couldn’t keep on trying and failing at being parents. Then one day we had a little boy and then 15 months later another new born. Those first years past by in a blur of nappies, exhaustion, feeding and joy, inescapable joy. I can not put into words how lucky we are to have two amazing, unique and challenging children.
Those children, that each night before bed we both go and watch sleep, just as we did from the first day we brought each of them home. It is part of our nighttime routine. MadDad goes to one door and I the other, then we pass on the landing as we swap. Then we move on to our room safe that we have breathed in a special piece of our family to infuse our sleep with. I like to use the excuse that I want to make sure they are tucked in and their lights are off and books off the bed, but in truth I want to just watch them and breathe in their smell.
“This blog post has been written as an entry into the Tots100 competition in association with Boots Mother and Baby“
Absolutely. I just want to drink them in. Sadly Eli wakes as soon as you touch the door, so I have to make do with the odd pushchair nap. Every night we go into Noah’s room to turn off his light and just watch him.
Mummylimited » Maxi used to be like Eli, but things change and it makes it all the more precious
What a beautiful post. I simply HAVE to go and see my babies sleeping before I can go to bed at night. And the fact that you have it as part of your bedtime ritual makes me feel better about those nights when I have shot out of bed after realising I didn’t go and see my little guy before getting into bed myself. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting (and needing) to watch my children sleeping, just to take a few moments to really appreciate how awesome they are. X
lucy at dear beautiful boy » I so can understand now people waiting up and not being able to sleep until their older children are home!
We do the same – we call it sneaking- we have the bathroom next to Jonas’ room so if one of us goes up to the loo often we have a ‘sneak’ and come down bragging to the other!! a little game we have played since he came home. I like to kiss him and smell his hair, Pete tells me not too as I will wake him, but he never wakes just stirs – I know all the floor boards to avoid that squeak in his room now!!
Nicola@lighterandleaner » Maxi is a light sleeper, but I still love to give him a kiss
Gorgeous post. I love watching my girl sleeping, she makes my heart melt x
Three for a girl » Thanks for the comment. Yes it is all heart melting
Lovely post. We do exactly the same thing. I just stand and stare at them for a few minutes each night. I can’t relax and go to bed until I’ve done that.
Gillian » Yes, it is part of our routine, even when away I ring MadDad to make sure he has checked!
We do the same thing. Seeing them both peacefully sleeping sets us up for the night.
snafflesmummmy » I think all parents do, although we pretend not too!
We do exactly the same thing each night with our three. I absolutely love to see them sleeping, so peaceful and perfect.
Purplemum » and more importantly do QUIET!
I do exactly the same – watch them all sleep before going to bed 🙂
We have the same ritual with Craig every night. We both can’t go to bed unless we have watched them sleep and kissed their forehead. This is a lovely post and I can so relate to everything you say. Px
I do that too. 🙂
Beautiful post! I check in on mine every night too even the big brooding teens! I can’t imagine a time when I’ll ever stop 🙂
Aww bless a lovely post and I do that too. xx