The Sigh

For the past two nights you have woken up after an hour or two of sleep.
Me or dad spring into action.
Picking you up and rocking you gently.

Your crying turns into a light squeal and then into soft mewing.

And finally, you quiet...

We rock and rock and rock from foot to foot (because we have no rocking chair here).
Swaying you back and forth trying to see how deep of a sleep you are in.

And then you sigh.

Your body relaxes and so does ours.

Your mouth moves and eyelids flutter and you go back to your sleep.

And I gaze at you...completely in awe that I had a hand in creating something as perfect as you.
I suddenly see your precious cheeks melting away into the face of a little girl then lady...

oh you are beautiful.

I slowly stop rocking...put my hands in the "ready-to-drop" position...
and place you back in your crib.

Happy that you are seemingly content to sleep some more and sad that I must leave you.

And then you fart.

With that, I know that I will love you forever.