lasts

I read an article this morning about lasts in parenting.  It was a really great reminder to me to appreciate the fleeting moments that I sometimes get annoyed by.

The article talked about all the firsts we document in our children's lives-- first steps, first smile, first bike ride, but went on to say that lots of things are lasts and we never really know they're coming.  Do I remember the date Reese took his last bottle?  The last time he used his beloved pacifier?  The last time he called Lofton "Daddio" instead of Daddy?

I'm guilty.  Guilty of wishing away some of these moments in anticipation of what's to come.  And this summer I've been guilty of being irritated at Reese's inconsistent naps. Sometimes he naps, but more often he doesn't.  And no nap means that he's usually planted in my lap instead. And four year old's talk A LOT.  At least mine does.  I really loved naptime for the break it gave me to recharge a little.

Yesterday I heard the patter of flat feet coming down the hallway and he climbed in my lap.  I told him we had to be really quiet for a little while even if we weren't actually asleep.  He asked me to rub his back like a spider.  I wasn't really sure what that entailed, but I gave it my best shot.

And I'm so glad I did.  Because what if this summer is it for snuggling and I don't even realize it?  Surely there is soon to come a day when he doesn't want to run around the house in his underwear, when he won't snuggle next to me on the couch because sitting by himself is so lonely, and when he won't tell me every night that he loves me "so, so much to the moon and back when the moon is out and the sun and back when the sun is out."

So I'm changing my tune.  Maybe I'm just feeling a little winsome that summer is slipping away?  Less than two weeks to soak up some last snuggles.