Rocking My Baby

Its hard to believe that it is already February 13.  That means that in just two days, my baby boy will be a year old.  Already.  How did that happen?  Where did the time go?  How is it possible that he wasn't even here a year ago and now he's almost walking?  Almost talking?  It is crazy.  And even though it seems like the time has flown by, I wouldn't change it -- not a second of it. 

Birthday cake with the cousins.

At the water park with Grandma Judy.

We celebrated Jacob's first birthday last weekend during a trip to Wisconsin.  All the relatives were there and so it seemed appropriate.  Our trip home was to go to an indoor water park in Wisconsin Dells, which was a very nice respite from the bitter cold temperatures we've had this winter.  I admit to having some reservations about making a 6.5 hour drive (one way) to the Dells with a (nearly) one year old and a two year old.  Somehow, a water park weekend seemed to be a little inappropriate for our kids considering their ages.  However, it was a really wonderful weekend.  How lucky we are to get to visit both sides of the family and spend an entire weekend with all of Dave's family.  He has 4 brothers/sisters and 6 nieces and nephews -- all of whom were in attendance. 

Jacob, who is usually a very good sleeper, decided that it was just too exciting, or different, or SOMETHING to be able to sleep all the way through the night.  The entire family shared a large suite and each family had their own room.  This was great, except that it meant that all 4 of us were in one bedroom -- so when Jacob decided to get up, everyone was woken up. And there was really no consoling him.  If picked him up to snuggle, he just whined and cried until I let him crawl around (not an option).  If I tried to tuck him in with Mickey Mouse (THE bedtime toy) and his blankets, it only worked for a few seconds.  Then he would stand up and laugh, giggle or cry.  Even Eva said "Jacob is keeping me awake."  Considering she's 2, it was pretty funny.  All I wanted was for Jacob to go to sleep.  Just GO THE *&^% TO SLEEP.  The only thing I was grateful about that evening was him finally going back to sleep.  Finally, unplugging the night light seemed to do it.  He cried for a short time and finally fell asleep.

So last night, when I woke to Jacob's cries at 3:17AM, I was a little irritated at first.  After all, he is almost a year old and this waking in the night thing should be done.  For the most part, it is.  Or at least, he generally gets himself back to sleep with no problem.  Last night, however, the beloved Mickey Mouse had fallen out of the crib.  Its just darned near impossible to sleep without Mickey.  I suppose I could have just given Mickey back to Jacob, and turned around and gone back to bed.  However, I took the opportunity to snuggle with my (year old) baby boy instead.  He loves to lay with his head in the crook of my right elbow with left thumb in mouth and right hand tightly gripping the beloved MM.  There, wrapped in a quilt and set in the corner rocking chair, I got to hear him breathe and watch him drift off to sleep.  I am thankful that I realize how fleeting these moments are -- especially while IN the moment.  It was a much needed vindication from the previous weekend and in truth, it was beyond precious.