Spoiled

Today we cleaned the house together. I love Mondays for this reason. I pulled out the trusty sling and off we went. I handed you a clean dust cloth while I used the dirty one. We talked about life, people in the pictures we were dusting, and assassinating dust bunnies with the vacuum. The latter had you giggling up a storm when I would make the silly sounds to show you how the bunnies would meet their demise. You are amazing! We went from room to room, you and I. Creating clean, discussing dinner plans, joking around. I love these times with you. Just you and me. I can't help but wonder how much longer you'll find mom's jokes funny, or want to spend the day cleaning with me. Around 11 o'clock, with the house close to being done, I put you in your crib. Schedules, you know. You start to fuss, which is unusual for this nap. I give you 5 minutes. Still fussing. I decide to sling you once again and tackle those bunnies with the vacuum. In my mind I know if I give you another few minutes you'll quiet down. In my heart there is a race against time and honestly, I'm just not ready to put you down yet. Selfish, I know. So we vacuum, you holding the cord and singing your "vacuum and mower" song you always sing when we're doing something loud. I take a few minutes here and there to touch your sweet head or pat your little bottom. I relish in this time. I feel like I am playing a game of "beat the clock" with your childhood. I need to cram as much baby as I can into the next few months. You'll be 1 soon. A toddler. A real, live toddler. I cannot fathom it. I know that the future holds many more cuddles, giggles and smiles for mom, but I also know that unless God has a wicked sense of humor, you are going to be our only baby. I'm ok with that, it was part my idea. We reached perfection, why try again? ;) But, I also know that the days of holding a tiny newborn of my very own are gone, and so are the days of the sweet, chubby 6 month old who still stays in one place when you put him down. This 10 month, almost 11 month baby boy that I have now is wonderful. You explore things, you're starting to play games and you love to snuggle at night. But you'll soon be replaced by a toddler with his own mind. And one day that toddler will be replaced with a child who doesn't necessarily want to spend the day cleaning with his momma. So today, I grabbed you. Held on tight and didn't let go. I relished in your babyness a little while longer. I broke the schedule. All because you wanted momma. Yes Gideon, momma is very spoiled.