Stealing the moment for myself.

I may be all for the "putting the baby down awake so he learns how to fall asleep on his own" belief,

and 90% of the time, I strive to do so.

Because I still believe it is an important skill babies need to learn.

A lifelong skill.

BUT for the other 10% of the times I need to put my little boy down to bed,

I find myself holding on to him for just 5 more minutes.

Maybe a little bit more sometimes.

Tucking his head under my chin so I can take in all of his baby smells.

Wrapping my arms around him, drawing him as close as I can.

Just sitting on my nursing chair, taking in the magical moment of peace that comes with a sleeping baby.

Or swaying from left to right in front of his crib, dancing with my sleeping baby boy.

Takes me back to the night before he was born, when I was doing the same dance during contractions, with him ensconced in my belly.

I think to myself,

how long will I get to do this?

In no time, he'll be a big boy.

Too heavy and big for me to cuddle like this.

And too independent to let me snuggle up with him anymore.

Enjoy it while I can.

He'll learn to sleep on his own one day, soon enough.

He may be 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20.

But for now, he's my little baby boy.