We spent the day at a local science museum which we had never been to before. I wasn't really sure about it, but the location and entrance fee were a lot more manageable than the museums in downtown Chicago. When we walked in, my heart sank a bit. It was a small place and not quite what I had hoped it would be. I waited for the complaining to start but instead they ran enthusiastically from one exhibit to the next. They kept this up the entire time we were there. They both loved it and our younger son even told me it was the best museum he'd ever been to. Every once in a great while, all things seem to fit together nicely and we have a really great day. I dream of every day being like today.
When we were finally ready to walk upstairs to bed, I said, "I'm going to carry you upstairs." (This boy loves to be cuddled, especially at night.)
We got in our positions and on the count of three he jumped and I lifted. It's the only way I can get him into a carrying position nowadays. I stepped onto the first stair and felt his weight pull me off balance. I took the next step and felt my leg weaken. With difficulty, I focused on getting my legs under him and made it up the rest of the stairs. I walked him into his bedroom, his legs still wrapped around me, and held on tight for my goodnight hug.
"I'm going to carry you as long as I'm able to." I spoke softly in his ear, feeling the tightening in my throat.
"When I'm bigger, I can carry you mama." he replied.
"I hope you never have to carry me." I answered back.
I held on longer realizing that at some point our nightly ritual, which has steadily been happening less and less, will end. There will someday be a time when I will never again carry my child in my arms.
"Okay. Let me down" he said.
"I'm not ready yet" I whispered.
8 comments:
Oh my. So beautiful.
I did that exact same thing last night with my 5 year old. I joke with him that he's bigger than a 40 pound bag of dog food. He says, "Just think how big I'll be when I'm 18". I'm not ready to put him down either and thankfully, neither is he.
Kudos to you. I have a 3 and a 4 year old, I am guessing about 35 and 40 lbs. Oh my lanta my back kills when I carry them up. I agree though, I love the head on my shoulder and the legs wrapped around my waist.
That was a great read.
I haven't been able to carry The BUnny for about a year now - it IS sad... where did those babies go???
Hello Sweetie, that was nice.
OK, now I am going to cry!
Beautiful! I am glad that I have a little longer......
I can't imagine the day when I won't get to carry them anymore. I still relish the times that Miss L jumps up and wraps her whole body around me in a hug or when Mr. B squeezes me and says, "I love you momma, your soft." These are the times that makes my heart melt...
And another thing - GIVE ME YOUR DOG!!!
Merrily, Scout came from Augusta, GA so you can buy one just like her! Just beware that the crazy-Baptist-lady breeder will send you weird conservative political emails once she gets your info. Ugh!
Oh, now I'm crying! My 18-month-old daughter is not walking yet, and I cannot seem to stop myself from complaining. But I know what I need to do - I need to stop and appreciate how she still needs me and lets me carry her into the store or down the hallway to bed. Because at some point, she will decide to walk (I'm sure of it...I think...), and then she won't need me quite as much. *sniff, sniff*
By the way, I came via your blogger profile...and I love the Stephanie Plum books, too! As a matter of fact, I'm reading a Between the Numbers Plum book now! :)
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