Day Twenty-Six: Tonight

I've spent most of the afternoon thinking about my response to today's challenge:  a picture of something that means a lot to me.  There are so many things in my life that I hold close to my heart.  However, when I got home tonight, I knew I had to use my daily blog to say "thank you."  My mother-in-law (whom I call "mom") came down this afternoon to spend time with Peanut.  I used this opportunity to have dinner and drinks with two of my dear friends.  When I got home this evening, my little girl was sound asleep.  Mom had given her a bath and fed her and my husband had put her to bed.   I was so excited.  It's not that I don't love being a SAHM.  I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my daughter, and I love everything that goes with being a mother to a baby, especially the nighttime rituals.  I love giving her a bath at night and watching her splash around in the tube.  I love giving her a bottle and breathing in her sweet baby perfume.  She is so precious to me, and I know the time will come when she will be too big for mommy to rock to sleep.  But every so often, it is a nice break to spend the evening being a grown-up and laughing with some of my favorite ladies.  Tonight, I got to have that break. I spent the evening at Coyote Blues with two of my nearest and dearest.  We laughed and joked and exchanged stories and frustrations.  I could sit back and enjoy my time because I knew my little one was in good hands. 

So tonight I am thankful for a happy, full baby who is sleeping soundly and peacefully. I am thankful for a baby who is sleeping peacefully with a full belly.  And I am thankful for mom and John for providing me with BOTH.   It means so much that both me and my little girl are so loved. 

I don't want to risk waking up my little one with a picture, but I do have a picture of her napping recently.  Just looking at this makes me want to crawl into bed.  You know, I think I will.