baby boy kisses

I have two very cuddly children. I don't know how it is that I have been blessed with cuddlers, as I am a cuddly person and have always craved such physical intimacy throughout my life. I did not grow up in a particularly cuddly family; I remember my mother often saying "Don't hang on me!" This is not a judgment--instead, this is just a statement of differing personalities that I have come to respect.

I know that my children will not be young forever, they will one day push me and my cuddling efforts away and that day will break my heart. I have thus vowed to get as much as I can as long as this physical manifestation of love among my children is so freely given and shared.

Putting C down to sleep at night brings me great pleasure. Now that he has a Big Boy Bed, I no longer have to sit on the other side of his wooden bars, imprisioning him for his safety in his crib. Instead I can lay down with him, allowing him to cuddle up with me, sharing my warmth and my scent, and be peaceful together. He will raise his head, look at me with his big eyes and kiss me all over my face, saying "ma, ma, ma" with each big smooch. K is just as loveable, but easier to put down to sleep, so she usually gets Daddy cuddle time--if still awake after C falls into dreamland, I will go to her and cuddle up and she will be asleep usually within minutes.

I was never allowed in my parents' bed when growing up. I think my sister was, or perhaps that is something she developed when older--I remember her and Mom together following Dad's death. One of my greatest joys is having my children join me at some point during the night if they feel so motivated. C might wake up with night terrors or just whimpers, and I still go and get him as he is not always aware he can just slip off his bed and pitter-patter into my room. K will come right in if she awakes during the night and cuddle right up with C on his other side, to "protect him from falling off the bed"...she is very good big sister. I awake early in the morning and, when I can see the two of them cuddling together I am brought great peace. Hopefully this will be a small step in beginning to foment a lifetime of mutual support, friendship, interdependency and love between siblings that will carry on long after I have left this world behind.