72/365

Today I am thankful for the time that Annie and I shared late last night. As I mentioned yesterday, her teeth are definitely bothering her. She was sleeping really restlessly last night. I had to go in about 30 minutes after she went to sleep and give her some Motrin because she was so upset. After that, she was sleeping, but I would occasionally hear her cry out one quick cry and then go right back to sleep. I didn't have to go in for these because she was going right back to sleep. Around midnight I heard her in there kind of talking, not crying, just this weird kind of talking. Normally, I would not go in there because she was not upset, but I was wide awake and I kind of just wanted to snuggle her. So I went in and she got all excited, like she would when I go in for her after nap or first thing in the morning. Normally, I would be not pleased about this because it means she is wide awake, but I just didn't care. I was pretty much that happy to see her too. So I picked her up, sat down in the rocking chair with her, and she proceeded to do everything she could to keep me smiling. I LOVE how whenever she is talking in the middle of the night it is this raspy, quiet, whispering type of voice. The sound of those coos and goos she does just kills me. So I rocked her and she stared right into my eyes smiling and cooing for about 20 minutes. It was shocking to me when I looked at the clock and realized 20 minutes had gone by because it seems liked only a few moments. I was just talking back to her telling her over and over how much we love her and how blessed we are to get to spend every day with her. I told her how wonderful of a child she is and how the world is such a better place with her in it. Her smile would get wider and wider as I talked. I am such a dork, but I actually teared up talking to her and just watching her be her perfect, loving little self. After about 20 minutes, I could tell she was getting really tired again, so I stopped talking and just stared at her while rocking and rubbing her hair. She loves to have her head or ears rubbed. Within a few minutes she drifted right off. I rocked her a little longer and then laid her down. I am so thankful that I decided to go in there and be with her because I know I didn't have to - she would have gone back to sleep on her own. But it was one of the single best moments I have had with her. It is so easy to get wrapped up in how busy we are and how much we need to get done or should be doing and miss moments like this. We should all try to not miss these moments because they don't last. They are gone all too quickly. I find myself being irritated that she is waking up in the night, but I need to remember that it is good that she needs us. That she wants to be snuggled and rocked. It is good. I am not too busy or too tired to love on my babies. Ever. They need my love and I desperately need theirs.

Another dreary, rainy, and really cold day here. Yuck. So ready for this to pass. We never have this many days in a row of weather like this, so I am SO ready for it to be done. It is supposed to be yucky again tomorrow and then nice on Sunday. I can't wait. So very few pictures again today. They are from our regular Friday lunch at Chick Fil A with Mandy and her kiddies.

Our huge neighborhood St. Patty's Day party is tomorrow. Normally the weather is incredible. I am sad it is going to be so gross.