‘Every morning at 5 a.m. he’d cry out for me. I’d spend hours just breathing him in, watching the rise and fall of his chest. And then it slipped away.’: Mom shares reminder to ‘savor’ every moment

“I used to grab him every morning at 5 a.m. when he’d cry out for me.

I’d trudge my tired body to his nursery, I’d scoop him up, and I’d carry him into bed with me.

I’d let him sleep with me, snuggled into my chest.

I’d spend hours every morning just breathing him in.

Watching the rise and fall of his chest.

Kissing his forehead and snuggling his sweet little body.

Then one morning, he started sleeping all the way through.

He didn’t need my snuggles anymore.

I used to hold him for every nap.

I’d spend all afternoon snuggled up with him while he slept on me.

He needed my scent.

But I longed for him to nap in his crib.

And then one day, he did.

He napped in his crib.

And even though he’s my second baby, I completely forgot how quickly things change.

How quickly newborn clothes get packed away.

How quickly that smile reflex turns into the real smile.

How quickly the rolling happens.

How quickly bottles or breastfeeding sessions get exchanged for real food.

How nighttime snuggles and feedings turn into a restful night of independent sleep.

I forgot how quickly it all just kind of…slips away.

And it makes me think about how much I longed to sleep all the way through the night.

How much I craved having my afternoons back to get things done around the house instead of holding him.

But today I looked at him.

And I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I spent the morning snuggling him in bed.

And I didn’t know that last time would be the last time.

And I miss it. I miss those snuggles so much.

Right now, I sometimes crave different things.

I crave a little more independence somedays.

But I know.

I know once that independence happens, I can never go back to the way it was before.

I just can’t.

So today.

Today I’m going to remember to savor everything about him that’s still a baby.

I’m not going to wish for the next milestone, the next big change.

Instead, I’m going to savor the moments we’re in right now.

I’m going to savor what makes it difficult and beautiful all together.

Because really, that’s life.

Beautifully difficult.

And if we forget to savor the moments, life just passes right on by.

Before we realized that those difficult moments, those difficult phases, were what made life so beautiful.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Kaleigh Christensen of Messy Footprints. You can follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook. Submit your own story here and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read more from Kaleigh:

‘It’s THIS stage, you first said the words, ‘Lub you too, mommy.’ You reach for mommy’s hand, then give her a sweet smile. You sing at the top of your lungs in your car seat.’

‘I caught myself telling my 2-year-old son today, ‘You’re just like your daddy.’ I wanted him to act and look like me. I hoped he’d possess some of my qualities.’

‘Wait for the heartbeat. Don’t fall in love too quickly.’ But sweet baby, I just can’t help it.’: Mom says ‘no matter what happens, I’ll always be your mama’

‘I never got to see your face, but I’m still your mother. I loved you the moment I saw those 2 pink lines.’: Mom pens heartbreaking letter to child lost, ‘I hope you feel us, we’ll never stop loving you’

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