He traces my eyebrow with one chubby finger.
“You make me so happy, mama,” he whispers.
We are lying nose to nose on my pillow. It’s early. We’re the only two awake. Pete snores softly on the other side of the bed. For now, this is my Micah time.
This is our morning ritual.
He wakes up at 5am like clockwork, calls for me, and I come. And every morning he asks the same question, “I come your bed, mama?”
Even though he already knows the answer.
A bottle of milk, a teddy bear, a stuffed dog, and one pacifier later he is ensconced on his own pillow between Pete and me. He traces my other eyebrow.
“Eye-bouw,” he lisps.
“Yes,” I whisper back.
“Nosie,” chubby finger to my nose. “Eyewashes,” and I close my eyes tight, trusting that his little fingertip won’t prod too hard.
“Micah,” I breathe.
His eyes whip up to mine, his face pressed in as close as he can get.
“You make me so happy.”
He grins. And we hug tight, tight, monkey tight. It’s now safe for the day to begin.
{Thanks to Jozie for the beautiful photo.}
***
Pausing to count these gifts, these moments: #36-#40
A boy still a baby who loves me in the morning light.
Kisses generously given.
Warm breath on my sleeping cheek.
A raggedy toy bear that has traveled the world.
Legs hooked over mine under the covers.
The lisp, whispered word, “mama.”
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, my God, that’s got me all choked up. What a beautiful memory…captured for eternity…in your mind, in his, and in ours.
doncha just love that! the kid used to come into my bed and rub my back til he fell back asleep! enjoy it now cause all too soon they’re 15 and smelly (bad smelly – not yummy baby smelly!)
I refuse to tell My sweet baby, who is now 4 to go back to his bed. I love having him put his too-short arm over my neck and “hug me up.”
The early morning time with them is the most precious! Thanks for sharing something so intimate. *hugs*
Too sweet! You’re such a good mommy. I, too, let my kids come in our bed, but I tell them to go back to sleep!
This one just made my heart ache…very well written. Very well lived.
Is there ANY better way to start the day? This is a lot like how my mornings begin, too and I am so thankful.
Oh, Lisa-Jo, I love your heart. The gifts we receive in our children amaze me. Thank you for allowing us to share yours this morning. Beyond precious. Breathing in a couple of silly boys this morning with you.
It’s like something you could bottle up forever, isn’t it?
My word…..had to wipe the tears away with this one! To have this memory written down, so it’ll never be forgotten is wonderful! Thank-you for sharing it with us…and reminding me of how precious these ‘small’ moments are!
those early morning cuddles are so precious…mine brings a matchbox car or two that I find later when I make the bed. There’s no better way to start the day than hearing someone small say, “mama, I wuv you” and have a chubby hand pat your cheek. Does it have to end???
Thanks for this post, it made me grateful for something I’d been taking for granted lately.
Oh so very precious.
seriously such a great way to start the day… wrapped in unconditional love.
Exactly. Like the song says – “not for what I have done or what I have become” – just for me.
What a precious morning ritual! How lucky are you to recognize the simple moments that make a life!
That is so precious… it absolutely warms my heart. I hope that someday I can have the same thing.
Hang on to these moments. Going, going…
I still squeeze some out of my 12 and 5 year old boys, but for how much longer?
Adorable
I love the part where your hubby is still snoring on the other side ! Hehe 
It’s the simple things in life.
Beautimous!!
“Can I come snuggle wif you?” Those are my magic words every morning! Sweet bliss.
Simply precious!
sigh. i love this. more than coffee i love this. more than eating ice cream with a fork i love this. sigh.
me likes.
Ohhh…..so precious.
Isn’t little boy lovin’ just the best? Just today I had some sweet moments with my Grant (my chunky monkey in the middle of my 3)… at naptime he flopped down on his belly to sleep, arm slung up over mommy’s neck, nose to nose we rested
pure magic!!
This is soo precious! What a wonderful list to be thankful for!
“Kisses generously given”- Priceless!
Heartfelt, generous baby kisses – amazing their power!
Oh, that’s just precious! Enjoy your little gifts! (While I secretly can’t wait to have little boys all of my own!) Love!
Oh, little boys are sooo wonderful!
I won’t even read the rest of the comments because I may get even more teary eyed. I love this. Love it cuz my little guys did this and now they are big….well, the youngest is four year old big, but still. Thank you for sharing something so beautiful!
My oldest is 4 and half. My youngest is two and half. They make me feel like magic every morning. When they’re not making me feel like pulling my hair out a lot of the rest of the time!
How absolutely precious… you brought me right back to when my daughter’s were babies (tears).
Thank you for helping us remember those priceless moments of a Mother’s life.