Opening my eyes, I was momentarily blinded by the bright sunlight. I blinked, trying to remember what day it was and where I was. I looked at the clock – 8 0’clock.
I stretched as I remembered, Sunday, it is Sunday. It was a strange sensation, feeling the warming sun on my legs. I haven’t woken up after the sun rose in nearly two years.
I got up slowly and padded to the bathroom.
As the hot water streamed down my back, pounding lightly on my tired shoulders, I felt myself relax for the first time in weeks.
I allowed myself a few extra minutes in the shower and looked at my growing belly for what seemed like the first time.
“Sorry, baby, Mama hasn’t paid you to mind for a few weeks, ” I whispered to my growing second child.
I finally drag myself out of the comforting lull of the hot water, dried myself and pulled on my clothes.
I walked through the quiet of our new home, unused to the lack of the toddler running around, counting 1 to 10, and hanging onto my legs.
I said a quiet thank you to my wonderful in-laws for braving their first overnighter with their grandson, granting me this unusual leisurely Sunday morning.
I turned on the coffee machine, letting it warm up in readiness for my husband’s must-start-day-with-coffee first cuppa.
I got myself a glass of juice and settled down in front of my laptop.
Without guilt, I checked my email, chatted on Twitter with friends I missed, busied myself on Facebook and did a little writing.
As I went about my online life, my husband finally got up and I hear the sizzle of the pan, as butter heats up.
“French toast?” I called out.
“The BEST French toast,” he replied.
We ate slowly. We talked. We wondered how the toddler and his grandparents were and resisted calling to check on them. We washed up.
I retreated back to the living room and curled up in my corner of the sofa.
I soaked in the moment – the only sound in the room, the quiet whirring of the ceiling fan.
I reflected back on the past month, when life was a whirlwind of activity, as we finally received the keys to our new house. Things had to be purchased, the house had to be painted, lights and fixtures had to be sorted, packing had to be done, cleaning of both houses had to happen – and life went mad.
Life with a toddler is hectic.
Life with a toddler, and being pregnant, even more hectic.
Life with a toddler, pregnant AND moving house, just insane.
And so, curled up on that sofa, I closed my eyes to savor a few more minutes of just doing nothing, but listen to my breath and give in to my thoughts.
I opened my eyes, pushed myself off my little comfortable spot and went out the door to pick my son up.
And life resumed.
Sometimes in the whirlwind of life pausing for a moment can help you be ready to take on the flurry of commitments, activities and special people in our lives. Alison beautifully illustrates that in this post.
Please stop by Mama Wants This and let Alison know how much you enjoyed her post.
Sometimes you read a blog and you just connect with the blogger’s words and writing style. That happened when I first visited From Corporate to Domestic. I love what she says and I love how she says it. Natalie is an amazing mom, wonderful blogger and fabulous commenter. I am so glad she is here sharing today.
I could not have been more honored when JDaniel4’s Mom asked me to be featured on her Pause Life for a Moment feature. I always love reading her blog and her Muffin Tin Mondays and all the fun activities she does with her son. I hope to be able to be as creative in the learning department once my son is older. JDaniel is going to be such a smart little boy because of his mommy!
When my parents dropped me off to college, I knew that a chapter in my life had closed. I sat on my bed alone and reflected on how my life would never be the same as in high school. My relationship with my friends would change, I wouldn’t live at home anymore, and I would have a new found freedom.
This was the first time in my life that I wanted to push pause to have more time to say goodbye to my youth.
After 4 years of college, I had finally reached the moment that all college students are striving for—graduation. As my family, my boyfriend (now my husband), and my future in-laws left to return home I felt empty. I wasn’t ready to let go of my college years to go into the workforce. I sat alone in my apartment realizing the enormity of that moment. I would soon be leaving this apartment, this campus to embark on a new journey.
I wanted to push pause to have a few more years of my biggest worries being if I received an A in my classes, being on time to my part-time job, and where I was going to hangout with my friends.
After all this planning, my wedding day was finally here. I was in my beautiful wedding dress about to marry my best friend. Once I walked down the aisle I knew the night would fly by.
I wanted to push pause to enjoy this moment forever. Dancing the night away with my Prince Charming.
As the moment finally arrived for my son to make his debut into the world, all I could think of was I’ve been pushing forever—is he ever going to come out? But then he did, and I couldn’t believe how beautiful he was or how he was something my husband and I created together. A new life is such a miracle.
However, with all the hustle and bustle at the hospital I didn’t realize how fleeting these moments were. I didn’t think of pushing the pause button and before I knew it these moments were gone.
Today as I look at my 1 year old (as of last week) and can’t believe he’s no longer the little baby I used to swaddle and cuddle him on my chest. Now he’s a big boy on the go wanting to experience everything.
I wish I could push pause so I could revisit these treasured moments. They are only small for so long and before you know it your baby is all grown up.
Life is such a precious gift make sure to thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. JDaniel4’s Mom thanks for having me over to reflect back on my “pause moments.”
Please take a moment to go and explore From Corporate to Domestic!
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I try my hardest to practice mindfulness. Following my breath, paying attention to the moment (whether good or bad), and really making an effort to participate in life helps things slow down and give me a sense of calm.
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