While you were sleeping, I held you tight, laid back in the old, familiar recliner that keeps the memories of your baby days gone by. These moments are ours alone – yours, mine, and our chair.
While you were sleeping, I was paralyzed still, captivated by your angelic face turned upward toward me as your head rested peacefully on my chest.
While you were sleeping, I studied your features: thick, long lashes, glowing olive skin covering full, round cheeks and a soft, dimpled chin; dark, thick hair resting on your sweet, sweat-glistened forehead, and perfect, pink lips.
While you were sleeping, your hand held my shirt and sat gently on my heart. Your body, which once was small enough to completely curl up on my chest was now draped to my knees like a blanket weighted perfectly for me.
While you were sleeping, the sound of your breathing was like the melody of a song to which only we know the words.
While you were sleeping, you found your safe place in my arms – your comfort and sanctuary. I found overwhelming peace and yet a profound tugging on my mama heart, knowing that these days are fleeting.
While you were sleeping, I placed you in your crib, softly and slowly, and crept towards your door. I stopped and looked back, taking in your essence once more, while hoping to emblazon this memory in my mind forever. My hands put you down but my heart never will.
While you were sleeping, I fell in love with you all over again.
![30 [Real] Definitions of Motherhood](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAlgAAAGQAQMAAABI+4zbAAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAADRJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwiD7p7bHBwwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgKQDdsAAAWZeCiIAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)
Beautiful poem Shannon, so sweet!
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Thank you so much, my friend!
So so so so good. Love this. Your blog is awesome.
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Thank you SO much!!
Oh Shannon this is beautiful!!! Made my heart burst!!!
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Thank you so much, Patty!! You’re the best!
I remember these days. Awww they’re the sweetest! Beautiful pics and capture of this moment, mama.
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They are the sweetest, aren’t they? And, can you believe these are stock photos?! This little one looks a lot like my girl, though. 😉
Oh my goodness my mommy heart!!!!
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Aww thanks for reading, love!!
So beautifully put!!! I have so many of these precious moments!! xx
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Thank you SO much!! Gotta soak them in while we can!!
I love this! It’s so beautiful. I have never felt guilty about all of the time I spent holding my daughter, especially after she fell asleep on me. It happens less now… but when it does, I definitely take advantage of it!
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It’s so important to soak it all in while you can! Thanks for reading!
Waaaaah this is so true!! Thank you for sharing, I loved it
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Thank you for reading!! xo
This is absolutely beautiful! <3
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Thank you, Erin! Thanks for reading.
This is so beautiful! Bookmarking to share later!
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I appreciate that so much! Thank you!
Beautiful! And so encompassing of what it’s like to hold your sleeping baby <3
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There’s nothing quite like it! Thank you!
This is so beautiful and sentimental. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for reading, Kathy! I appreciate the kind words!
Such beautiful words!
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Thank you so much!!
Love this. Such beautiful sweet words.
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Thank you! Thanks for reading!
love this! those are some of the sweetest moments as a mom <3
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They really are the sweetest! Thanks, Val!
This makes me want to have another baby! Just so I can experience it all over again.
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I’m trying to soak up every last moment I have since my last baby is already 2.
Absolutely beautiful- took me back to those wee mornings hours and those precious moments 💗💘💝
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Thank you so much! The moments are definitely precious!
This is so beautiful and choked me up. I have had these same thoughts while putting my daughter to sleep. Thank you for putting words to it so beautifully!
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Thank you so much, Vicki!
Oh my gosh, this made me cry. I literally just put my little guy down for a nap and I felt all of these emotions.
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It’s such a sweet time! Thanks for reading!
Awww this post is so beautiful, Shannon!! I love that Evelyn likes to cuddle!
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Thank you, Chanel! Cuddly littles are the best! If only they could stay little!
SO beautiful. I love that moment when my little sweet girl is asleep peacefully and I always ALWAYS pray that she stays asleep since she is such a light sleeper!
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Aww mine sleeps like a rock, thankfully. The moments are so sweet!
All the feels mama! This is so beautiful!
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Thank you, Jessica! You’re awesome.
Beautiful. It is so precious, to be in the moment and truly savour it, and take in every detail. So lovely! Katie x
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Thank you, Katie! It’s so hard to take it all in these days – there’s always something to do. I never regret taking a step back to savor the moment.
Shannon, this was short, sweet and absolutely beautiful! I’m so happy that you get more time with your sweet girls!
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Thank you so much, Erica! Me, too!
This was so lovely! I wish mine still slept in my arms ❤
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Aww thank you, Kelly! My little one is a cuddle bug, thankfully.
Beautiful <3
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Thank you, Kari!!
Aw this is the sweetest thing <3 beautiful pictures as well
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Thanks so much!!
This is so beautiful. And, I have to say that I have a 6 1/2 year old boy, who is struggling with sleep lately, and we have decided to just lay with him until he falls asleep. (This only takes 20-30 minutes compared to the 3 hours he will keep coming out of his room!) Anyway, although it is sort of annoying to give up some of my me-time in the evening, watching him fall asleep is still very precious and magical. I know this stage won’t last forever, so I’m just trying to enjoy getting to hold my “baby” boy to sleep. Oh, and I also still creep out of his room, scared he will wake up! 🙂
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You’re a great mom! Cherish these times! Thanks for reading.
So sweet! I don’t want to get rid of my recliner because of all the memories!!
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I don’t even rock in mine anymore because it’s so loud and squeaky but I do love reclining with my girl in it!
They are so sweet asleep. Awake as well, but even sweeter asleep. Love this. I also love the morning when Grey sneaks into my bed to lay quietly for a couple minutes before the chaos.
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Yes! The morning bed snuggles are so sweet. Thanks for reading!
I LOVE THIS! I’m crying! Why can’t they stay little forever!
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Thank you so much! I wish they could!
Oh my heart! This is beautiful.
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Aw thank you! I appreciate that!
Love this … so sweet! My youngest is 21 months and I feel this way all the time. I try to memorize every little expression, every little inch of her body. They grow up so fast! She’s my last one and I’m really trying to savor it.
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My littlest one (who I wrote this about) is 28 months. I’m clinging to these days because I know they’ll be over soon. Thanks for reading!
This is so sweet. I love getting those extra night time cuddles in.
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They’re the best! Thanks for reading!
“My hands out you down but my heart never will” wow, I love this part. If time could slow down. Just beautiful!
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Thank you, Sarah! That’s my favorite line, too. Thanks for reading!
So pretty Shannan! Well done
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Thanks, Eryka!
So sweet…I love holding my sleeping babies…❤❤
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There’s nothing quite like it!
Love this. Love holding them as they sleep because they are still and you can look at all their little features. Soak it in now while they still want us to hold them.
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Exactly! I love that my girls love to snuggle! Thanks for reading. 🙂
So sweet They grow up too fast!
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I wish time would slow down!
I love this so much! Putting my daughter to bed is my favorite time of day. I’m guilty of cuddling a little too long.
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Thank you, Kerry!! Yeah, I’m SO guilty of that and I’m not sorry!
Oh my gosh Shannon! This is beautiful! Putting my babies to bed is my absolute favorite time of day. Some nights I struggle so much to put them down.
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Thank you, Jacki!! I hold my little one way longer than I probably should and often fall asleep in that old recliner with her!