The chair is the same.
Less padding in its seat now, but that's ok because there's more in mine.
The green cushion is squished out of all recognisable shape and could never be interpreted as ever having been square now.
But the chair is the same.
The tune on the mobile is the same.
Your dark eyelashes rest against your flushed cheeks in the same way that they did three years ago, but now those cheeks aren't as round or chubby. The Cupid's bow of your lips is more pronounced, your nose longer and taking shape. Your hair darker and more coarse.
Your face is still squished against me in the familiar manner of a child desperately seeking comfort from his mother, desperately trying to take the pain (of yet another wretched ear infection) away.
You curl an arm around my neck and pull yourself closer. Bring your knees up to your chest as I wrap my right arm around your lower half tighter to stop you from slipping. My left arm is burning with the strange angle it is contorted into to hold you close. Three years ago I could hold you with one arm nestled into me and type up a blog post with my right hand on my phone. Now I need both arms to hold you tight, while your legs dangle almost to the floor over the edge of my lap.
I contemplate my next move. How do I lift you enough to place you back into bed? Waking you is not my concern, the sheer effort of standing up while holding you is enough to consider. I tuck you in and smooth your hair, positioning Oliver Monkey under your arm. When did you become so big? Tonight has proven though that you won't stop being my baby for quite some time yet.
And the chair is still the same.
Fivegoblogging says
Lovely post and so recognisable. Hope those chair snuggles continue for many years to come (without the ear infections) x
Lauren Jewhurst (@laurenbigeejit) says
This is such a beautiful post. Happy new year lovely xxxxx
jenny paulin says
awww bless him, another ear infection! poor boy.
i know what you mean about how big they are – Burton has had another growth spurt and when he sits on me for a cuddle he seems so big now! But, as you say, they are still our babies just bigger xx
i hope he soon feels better
Notmyyearoff says
Ahhhh such a lovely post, I hope he gets well soon. Ear infections are horrible :(. I have my "spot" and often wonder how z got so tall and how he used to fit so neatly in my lap. Now his legs sprawl over. He always looks comfy though 🙂
Kelly Wiffin says
Beautiful! Hope he feels better soon x
expatmammy says
Sorry he's poorly, what a lovely beautiful post. Happy new year
Susan Mann says
A lovely post, hope he feel better soon hugs x
Rachael (Mushroomsmum) says
I love this post. So beautifully written, it's almost poetry. Hope he's starting to feel better now. x
Monkeyfootedmummy says
I love this, the leg dangling is always the bit that makes me sad about them growing
Honest Mum says
This raised the hairs on my arm, beautiful, captivating, thanks for sharing x
Honest Mum says
Mine has an ear infection at mo, poor lambs…Happy New Year!