Love You Forever

So, I've been spending A LOT of time thinking, talking and writing about our plans for my pregnancy, labor/delivery and our new baby. Tonight it hit me that although we have a new baby on the way, I have a "baby" right now in my home. Bethani is a super energetic toddler, who rarely slows down and always surprises me with words and expressions. She is getting smarter EVERY day and it amazes me. Tonight before bed she stood looking at her window calling for "Da-ddy" for about 20 minutes. I went in and told her Daddy was at work. And then she asked for Pa-pa (my dad) for another few minutes, before I convinced her that he was not here, and it was time for bed. I was rather discouraged since she doesn't ask for Mama or Mommy. But my discouragement was short lived.
 

As I picked her up off the window seat to put her in bed, she grabbed my head (mostly by my hair) and proceeded to give me 3 kisses. One on each cheek and one on my forehead. Andrew started this ritual about 2 months ago, and she LOVES doing it with daddy every day. And sometimes Andrew will get her to give me kisses, but this time she would not let go of my hair or let me put her down till she repeated the ritual twice. I felt pretty special. I laid her down and said goodnight. I went on with my nightly tasks, dishes, browsing the internet, laundry, etc. And before I went to bed, I went in and scooped Beth out of her bed and rocked with her. Around 10 months she stopped being a cuddly baby, and at the time I had mixed feelings about the independence. Recently I've tried to take advantage of the time she'll just sit with me and cuddle. And sometimes I have to do it while she's asleep. Because that's the only time she's not running around like crazy. 

By now you may have figured out my post title. While I was rocking her I had a brief memory go through my mind. Something about a mother sneaking into her child's room to rock them after they fell asleep. It took me a little bit to pin it down. But then I remembered this book. I haven't even thought of it since I had Beth. Honestly, I probably haven't read it since Jr. High, when I read it to the kids I baby sat. But I remembered the story. The book is called "Love you Forever." It tells a story about a mother who sneaks into her son's room to rock him and sing to him. And the book ends with the grown son going into his mother's house to hold his elderly mom. The song in the story means so much more now to me that I am a mom.

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.” 

I'd replace "as long as I'm living" with "and for all Eternity"

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
and for all Eternity
my baby you’ll be.”  

When I found the book website online (http://robertmunsch.com/love-you-forever/#)....I read the background as to how this book came to be. The Author and his wife had 2 babies who were still born. So he had this song in his mind. Reminding himself that as long as he is living they will be his babies. He eventually decided to write a children's book out of the song. After publishing it, his publisher was surprised that the book was selling like crazy to retirement communities. And then they realized it wasn't a book for children, it was a book for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. 

I am SO grateful for my family. For it being eternal. I'm grateful for my parents who taught me about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I wouldn't be able to have my eternal family without this knowledge. And I'm grateful for my siblings. I was blessed with a wonderful sister and amazing brother. And I now have parents-in-law, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law. I am grateful for my family, immediate and extended, near and far, young and old. 

And at the end of the night, I am grateful for my husband, who teaches our daughter to love, so that when mommy is discouraged she can give me the 3 kisses.   

Beth....a few days old and still a cuddly "baby"

The last two pictures (sorry they are kinda fuzzy, cell phone camera) are of my crazy 21 month old doing what she does best, being silly. After Andrew came home from refereeing spring ball with my dad "papa," Beth put on Andrew's cleats and started playing with his flags. It was cute. In the other picture....Beth saw me folding her swim suit and wanted to put it on, so I let her wear it over her clothes. When she wanted to go outside and play in the rocks she INSISTED on leaving it on....Well OK! I did convince her to take it off before we went to the park.

Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am to have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, and another on the way. And Although most days are long, and the nights are rough, this life is worth it. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Happy Blogging!