2.19.2015

Thoughts for Thursday: Babies Don't Keep

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Thoughts for Thursday

Before Matthew was born I swore I was going to do things differently. I was going to get him on a schedule, have him sleeping in his own room by 8 weeks, and sleeping through the night by 12. I swore up and down that I would NOT let him sleep in our bed on my chest like I did with Miller.  I was going to be strict and have schedules and really be in charge. 


 But in the middle of dealing with two under two I started to throw away all my "rules" and just did what I knew worked.


 I may not be following all the "mom rules". I may not sleep again until I'm old and gray. I don't know if what I'm doing is right or wrong but I know that time is slipping away faster than I ever imagined.  Miller is going to be 2 years old in a few short months and in two weeks Matthew will be 4 months old.  These times of having them small and me being their main caregiver, best friend, constant entertainer, tear drier, boo-boo fixer, and cuddling buddy are limited. One day they won't need me or want me to do those things



So while I may never sleep 8 hours again or have a clean house or look perfectly put together, I know I will never look back and regret the co-sleeping or the late night snuggles or reading a book for the 10th times or playing peek a boo for the 100th time.  Seeing their smiles, hearing their giggles and knowing I make them feel safe. Those are the moments that matter.

 

"Babies Don’t Keep" 

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

Author: Ruth Hulburt Hamilton


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20 comments

  1. Ahhhh, tears! Love this Nat, and I feel EXACTLY the same way!! You are doing an amazing job!! Xoxo

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  2. I agree 100%!! With my first I was convinced we'd do everything right, but we ended up doing everything that felt right - and now with my 3rd I cherish everything (like last night's party in our bed till 2am when I needed to get up at 5:15 - those giggles and coos and smiles are worth every bit of dust or every minute of missed sleep).

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  3. Love this and your inspiring mama heart so much! xx

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  4. Way to bring me to tears early in the am :) It's all so true, and these moments are so precious and so fast. Enjoy/survive every second!

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  5. This made me tear up! I remember those special days so well so do cherish every moment because they grow too fast! I think with #3 I'll end up throwing out my mommy rule book too and letting her call the shots!

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  6. This is so sweet! I totally agree too. You guys are so blessed! I love all of the pics you posted here, but that one of the boys looking at each other just melts my heart!!!
    -Jess
    Sweet Little Ones

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  7. This is so sweet! I don't even have kids and I got all teary!

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  8. you're doing a great job natalie!! and you focus on what really matters :) xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  9. I needed this reminder today- our 9 month old rarely sleeps through the night anymore after 5 months of constant ear infections (finally got tubes) and I realized last night that we'd just kind of accepted it as the new norm and have been feeling like we're failing her by not "correcting this". This is a good reminder for me that picking her up during the night for snuggles isn't the end of the world and it won't be that way for the rest of our lives. Great message that all mamas need reminding sometimes!

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  10. I think you're doing everything absolutely right and what works for you - so that's all that matters!! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  11. Love this!! I got tears in my eyes because they grow up WAY to fast…….
    Chelsea@ thewilliamsjourney1.blogspot.com

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  12. This was such a sweet post! Love that poem! You seem like such an amazing mom!
    Ally - Life as I know it

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  13. Awww so sweet!! I cannot believe Miller is going to be TWO this year!! Growing up way too fast and I think they have the best mom around!!

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  14. I am not yet a mom, from a nanny's perspective, enjoy every moment. Nobody is perfect, but in their eyes, you do no wrong and they love you.. Enjoy the sleeping together, you deserve it for being their mom..! :)

    Xo

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  15. I am SO Glad you posted this today. I try to get A to sleep in her crib from 10-11pm to about 3 or 4am and then she sleeps with me. :) I know it isn't smart and she barely will sleep in her crib but she is my last baby and I'm trying to soak it all in! And my Christmas decor is still hanging out in my dining room. OOPS. xooxooxo

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  16. Such a sweet post. I am not a mom, but I think what feels right to you is all that 's important!
    And I saw your comment on Pris's blog. I will come do a Purebarre class with you! you will NOT pass out. i swear.

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  17. I love this- such a sweet post! I used to have a list of things I swore I'd never do as a parent, and now that I have a little one, my philosophy is 'Do what works for you!'. Some days it's all about surviving, but no matter how tough of a day it was, getting those snuggles and kisses make it all worth it and then some.

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  18. I could not agree more with you. They are only little for so long. So often we loose sight of that. So happy to have found your space.

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