the sweetest time

Eliana is changing so much all the time. Yet some things still remain the same. Like our sweetest time. The time that always makes my heart stop just for a teeny tiny second. The time when I want to close my eyes, breathe deeply and try to take it all in. She is all ready for a nap or bed. She nurses happily in the rocker. Then she pulls off of my breast and looks at me with so much devotion and contentment. I lift her up, place her little arms around my neck, let her head rest on my shoulder. I carefully stand with her in my arms. I kiss her neck. I kiss it again. I tell her how much I love her. I tell her to have a sweet sleep. I lay her on her green, fuzzy blanket. Her yellow softie and baby wait on either side of her blankie. She smiles at me with those trusting eyes. And I tear myself away because I know I could just stand there and look at her forever.