Middle-of-the-Night Memories

December 5th. The last day, according to my nursing records, that I was awake for a middle-of-the-night feeding (4:20a).

I guess Macie missed the 1-on-1 time, because she woke up crying at 2:45a this morning. Since it had been nearly a month since I'd been up before 6a to feed her, I tried everything else first. Changed a VERY wet diaper, which resulted also in a change of pj's, since they, too, were soaked. Rocked and sang lullabies for a few minutes. Stood and bounced for a few more. Nothing worked. So back to the glider we went, this time for a late-night snack.

Ahhhhhh, now THAT was what she wanted! And about 15 minutes later, with a smile on her face, she cozied back into the sleep sack and settled in for another 5 hours of sleep.

Let me rewind for a minute. When I first awoke at 2:45a to the cries, I was caught off-guard. Took me a few seconds to figure out what the sound was! Once I connected it to Macie, my first thoughts were ones of disappointment. Being pulled out of my soft, warm bed in the middle of the night. Thought we were through with that stage! Bummer!

But only minutes later, as I held my sweet baby girl and watched her eat contentedly, I took all of those feelings back. Believe it or not, there's not much better than occasional 1-on-1 quiet time with a sweet baby in the dead of the night, when you realize that she depends on you for everything she needs, and you're able to give it to her.

I'll let you in on a secret. I COULD have been back in my soft, warm bed a few minutes sooner than I was last night. But I was distracted. I was too busy snuggling with my sleeping infant, staring at her sweet, innocent, satisfied face. Realizing sadly that the times go by so quickly, and that too soon these late-night feedings would be a distant memory. To be replaced by middle-of-the-night cries from a toddler who has misplaced her water bottle. And then by those of a school-age child who has had a bad dream. And then by late nights staying awake waiting for the teenager to get home safely from her evening out.

So, for now, I'll cherish the middle-of-the-night stumbles into Macie's room. Not that I want them to happen every night or anything. Don't get any ideas, Mac...!