Last night John had a work event that went late into the evening (he didn’t get home until 10pm). I was left to do bedtime alone, which usually isn’t a problem, but last night Lillian wasn’t feeling well because of a cold she is trying to fight. I did everything to try and schedule the night and bedtime routine so everything would go smoothly. I had dinner ready and on the table at 5:30, bathtime followed at 6:15 and Charlotte watched an episode of Cat and the Hat while I nursed and put Lillian to bed. With Lillian sound asleep, I curled up next to Charlotte, finished watching her DVD and started to read the books she had chosen for bed – Wide Mouth Frog and Circus Ship. No sooner had we started reading than Lillian awoke coughing and crying. I put pause on the reading, went into Lillian’s room while Charlotte patiently waited for me and nursed her again to sleep. Ok back to Charlotte to finish the stories. By this point it was already getting late, I hadn’t had dinner and there was a huge pile of laundry to be folded and a dishwasher full of clean dishes to be put away. I was able to get away with reading one book before laying with Charlotte while she tried to fall asleep. After about 15 minutes I slipped away and flopped onto my bed trying to muster a little bit of energy to start the nighttime chores. Seconds later I heard Lillian cough followed by crying and Charlotte asking for water. I picked up Lillian, walked into Charlotte’s room and said “Would you like to sleep in mama’s bed tonight” to which I knew the answer would be an enthusiastic “Yes!” I turned down my bed put Charlotte on one side, Lillian on the other and we dozed. The laundry needed to be folded, the dishes needed to be put away and I needed some dinner, but in that beautiful moment with my girls in my arms, I just didn’t care. The laundry and dishes could wait and once John got home he could bring me up a bowl of cereal. Before settling everyone down for a long winter’s nap, I took a quick photo to capture the beauty of the moment.
Bedtime in Mama's bed!
Bravo! I say, welll done!
And fantastic photo to boot.
The laundry and dishes will still be there in the morning. Don’t sweat the small stuff, go with the flow. Curled up in bed with your girls is far more important then folded cloths and an empty dishwasher.
You are right! Laundry and dishes are always there in the morning waiting for me! Spending time with the little ones is so important and so fleeting : )
Those are moments that you want to capture and hold forever.
The chores will always be there.