the power of a beating heart

I had the best company all day.

This lovely little lady is the daughter of one of the sons of my heart.

She is a happy, well loved baby.

She ate.
She played.
She laughed.

But she was restless today.

She cat napped rather than sleeping her normal 2-3 hours this morning.
The only time she stayed asleep was when I held her.

So this afternoon when she fell asleep, I didn't put her down. 
Instead, I spoiled myself.
I sat and enjoyed the beauty that only comes from snuggling a baby.

As she lay there, I thought, "sleep on little one.
I well understand the need to be cuddled,
the need to hear a heartbeat and the power it has to relax you."

When her momma came to get her this evening she had time to sit and visit. We had such a good chat that I forgot to send her bottle home. Her daddy just stopped to get it. As he wrapped me up in a hug my tears started. He hugged me tighter and said "mom, what's wrong?" As I took a step back I explained the day. I told him I was writing about the power of a heartbeat. I told him how, in that moment, I needed to hear his. And he wrapped me up again and "rocked" me for a moment. I felt like I imagine his daughter had felt in my arms earlier. Relaxed. Comforted. Protected. It was a beautiful thing.