A Mother's Day Gift

They day was eventful with my sister and her son, my kids and husband. The evening wasn't half as much fun but it was relaxing. Soon it was time to give our kids their nightly bath before bedtime. The tub filled with light bubbles and water. They played until splashing was the main joy then we took them out to dry them off. Ellie was like the child from Where The Wild Things Are so I had to become a rough disciplinarian.

I brushed her teeth and wrapped her in her own princess blanket. I explained softly that I had to be rough to stop her thrashing about, despite what little she understood, she settled down. I held her close to me debating whether or not to put her in bed when her breathing became even. Little twitches of her small body confirmed it- she had fallen asleep. I moved her head into a different position and she moved it automatically onto my chest and I could see her face.

The serene baby face of my only baby girl was a gift for Mother's Day I didn't know I wanted until that moment. The gift of a sleeping child that hasn't slept in a mother's arms since five months old was beautiful.

I had Chris take this picture to look back on one day when I realise that she used to fit in my arms like the warm soft blanket I wrapped her in. Thank you Nayeli for this Mother's Day gift.