I held a baby today.
I was going to make breakfast. I was dreaming of hot pancakes drizzled in syrup with a side of eggs. It was just the energy our family needed to start the day.
But the baby decided he needed breakfast first, so it was cereal for the family and coffee for Mom, as I held the baby.
I held a baby today.
I was going to sip that coffee while it was still hot, but my daughter needed help tying her shoes and brushing her hair and her older sister needed help finishing her homework and by the time I finally got them out the door to school, their baby brother needed comforted, so I held him (and sipped cold coffee) instead.
I held a baby today.
I was going to make a quick trip to Target. We needed toilet paper and milk and diapers. So many diapers. I was longing for a few uninterrupted minutes out of the house, but by the time I packed up my belongings, the baby started fussing, so I held him instead.
I held a baby today.
I was going to clean my kitchen and fold the laundry. We’re so behind on laundry. And not like normal behind, more like 10 loads behind. But the baby woke up 30 minutes earlier than expected, so I held him instead.
I held a baby today.
I was going to make a warm meal for my family. We had a long day and needed time around the table together. But that recipe needed milk, the same milk I wasn’t able to buy today because I didn’t make it to the store. So we ordered pizza and I ate it – while holding the baby.
I held a baby today.
I was going to take a long hot bath. My glass of wine was calling my name. I couldn’t wait to wash the day off my skin. I was tired and longed for a few minutes alone. But the baby was running a small fever and couldn’t get calm, so I rocked him instead.
I held a baby today.
I was going to read stories to my 8 and 6-year-old, but their baby brother wouldn’t let me put him in his crib. So we all read together in that dimly lit bedroom.
As I kissed my girls goodnight with their baby brother in my arms, they asked me, “Mama, what was the best part of your day?” I thought back to the moments from that day and realized I hadn’t accomplished much of anything… except holding their baby brother, which is, of course, exactly what I needed to do today.
“All of it,” I whisper as to not wake the sleeping baby in my arms. “I loved it all.”