I came home late (late, considering I’m usually home in the evenings) tonight after spending a few hours with friends and two new, sweet babies–both fresh from God not 48 hours ago. I had given J a heads up that I’d be on my way, and since H was just about to go to bed, he was allowed to stay up a little longer to say goodnight to mommy. I walked in the door and went straight upstairs so as not to delay bedtime any longer. There, I found a two year old practically bouncing off the walls. It was ten minutes to ten.

J said goodnight to our precocious toddler, who then asked me to stay and “snuggle in the nest” with him. Since our hours in the rocker have lessened as the belly has grown, snuggle time now consists of laying on the floor side by side–either just resting quietly, or talking, as was the case this evening. The “nest” is my beloved maternity pillow–not so beloved this pregnancy. It has been relegated to H’s room as a fun pillow for him to crash on while reading, playing cars, etc., and as it turns out, it makes a great pillow for two or three snuggling sardines. It also curls right up around H in a nestlike shape upon request. So there we were. Lights turned off and me channeling my most relaxing, peaceful voice to coax our munchkin into the idea of sleep.

And boy did he have a lot to say first.

I’m not sure whether it was just that we were cuddled up together at the end of the day, or if he was really putting on the syrupy charm, but my heart was practically melting at every little word. At one point, he introduced himself, “I’m mommy. Who are you?” to which I quickly replied, “Hi, Mommy! I’m Henry,” and the shenanigans ensued. H didn’t skip a beat. We were suddenly having a conversation with the other in a complete role reversal, Henry running with everything I said and did. It was hilarious to hear him “play” mom. He told me what I was having for breakfast, and when I asked him what we were going to do today, he said, “Oh! I have a special treat planned for after nap time!” Apparently I’ve promised fun activities after nap time on an occasion or two? My favorite exchange, though, was when Henry pointed to the laundry basket sitting behind us, “Here! I washed the sheets for you, so they would be fresh and clean!” Oh, man, do I love this kid. It is actually as though he listens to every last thing I say and soaks it all in.

This means I have to be SO careful, but in a good way.

As much as it’s a responsibility not to slip up in the negative within his earshot, Henry must see the good actions and comments and encouragements, too. He’s picking them up and emulating our conversations, and I love to see how his brain works as he processes what I’m telling him in any situation. Makes me think twice about how I’m parenting and what I want him to carry along as he grows.

Henry didn’t get to bed at a reasonable hour tonight, but it’s because we were hanging out and spending great time together “snuggling in the nest” instead. I couldn’t help but think about a few months from now and hope that we can still be sure to carve out time like that at the ends of certain days. I would miss it too much if not. Loving that I got to see the super sweet side of our busy, busy boy tonight. I was as if time stood still a little while and we could just be. No agenda, schedule, meal, nap time, or person to interrupt–just me and pretend mommy, making things up as we went along and having a gloriously good time!

tired, but super grateful for the late hour.

mm