"Dear Snugs"

Exaggeration is kind of the name of my game, especially when it comes to my daughter. I love to tell a good story and get people laughing. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved and strove to be the center of attention. I suppose it's all part of that "Baby of the Family" complex. It is basically my job! However, there are days that just are not funny. There are days that do not seem to have any silver lining in the clouds.

I often feel like I am failing myself, my husband, and my daughter. I neglected to wash the dishes that are piling up in the sink. I haven't swept the floor in...weeks. The bathroom has definitely seen better days. The laundry is accumulating exponentially each day. I snap at my husband, when he dare ask what we are having for dinner... Are you kidding me?? And I resent Lucy for needing her diaper changed...again! 

Last night, I went to bed after folding yet another load of Lucy's laundry. I wasn't in a particularly bad mood, but I was already bracing myself for a bad night with the baby. I laid down in bed and finally drifted off to sleep around 10:00. I woke to her cries to eat at 12:31 and quickly rolled out of bed to get her. I lifted her soft, warm body out of the crib and let her nurse in bed. Then I changed her diaper and quickly swaddled her back up. Thankfully, she got quiet again, and I laid her back down making some quiet coos. I went out to get a drink of water in the kitchen, and as per our routine, kissed my husband on the cheek. He was watching a movie still, and I cautioned him, "You better not stay up too late..."

He had this silly grin on his face, and he winked at me. Then I said, "Actually...would you mind sleeping on the couch tonight? I'm not mad, I just really need to get some sleep tonight...and you know your snoring keeps me up usually..." The grin slipped off his lips, and I instantly regretted my request. "I'm sorry, honey. You can come to bed." 

He replied, "No, it's okay. I just failed in my prediction." 

"What prediction?"

"Well, I wrote you a note on your computer that I wanted you to read tomorrow morning...want to read it now?"

"Sure, honey," I said with a tired smile. He walked out of the living room for a minute, and I began reading:

Dear Snugs,
                I was sitting here tonight watching a movie, when a thought hit me… Everything about my life is so wonderful because of you. I sat here thinking about you for awhile, then decided to write you a little note. I turned the movie off, thought for a moment about what to say, and that’s when I heard Lucy crying. I listened as you got up in a flash, because let’s face it, you never really sleep very soundly anyways. At least not since Lucy arrived. Over the course of a few minutes her crying subsided as you probably nursed her back to sleep. Wow… you are such a great mom! Lucy doesn't even realize how blessed she is to have you. Right now she just squirms, wiggles, and screams without knowing the hours and hours of sleep she has stolen from you. But you see, that’s the thing… You don’t let that stop you from loving her unconditionally. She has your love no matter how many times she escapes her straight jacket, no matter how many times she wakes up just as you are finally drifting off into a much needed nap, no matter how many times she blows your eardrums with her squeaky cry.
                And that’s what causes me to love you so deeply. Your total and complete loyalty to those you care about reaches beyond description. You always ask me if you are a bad Mom for taking a much needed break, while Lucy screams her face off… To me that’s like asking if fish can fly, pigs can dance, or llamas can moonwalk! (Ok, I got a little distracted with the whole animal tangent.) Anyways, it’s completely ridiculous. You are a wonderful mother with much more wisdom, self-control, and stamina than anyone your age that I have ever met. You are superior in every way to me. And I am so proud, and always will be proud to call you my wife/baby mamma.
                So right now I am going to come snuggle you. Most likely you’ll wake up and be annoyed that another member of our family is trifling with your much needed mommy rest, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take =) You’ll also probably suffer from my snoring and push me away with your feet when I come kiss you. No matter… I know that when you read this tomorrow, you’ll be grateful for my late night intrusion. I just wanted to let you know that you are so special to me. You mean everything to me Snugs, and I will never forget this time period in my life as it has made my love for you grow exponentially with each passing day. I love you, Laura. Never forget that!
                                                                                                                                                                                Love,
                                                                                                                                                                                Dave

Needless to say, I wept quietly as I read those precious words from my dear husband. He came and put his arms around me, and we walked back to bed like that. I snuggled in close to him and lay awake long after he drifted off to sleep. I listened to his snores and Lucy's quiet breathing in the next room. And I thanked God. Maybe you haven't received a love note in a while and maybe you feel like you are failing your family. But I promise all you sweet mamas out there -- you are loved and appreciated by your husbands and children! We never seem to tell our loved ones enough, but take heart! Those sleepless nights, 18 baskets of laundry, 1700 dishes in the sink, 586 runny noses that you have wiped, broken hearts that you have comforted, skinned knees that you have kissed, fevers and flus that you have nursed -- they are all noticed and appreciated. One day they will tell you.

I am a blessed woman to have been given my husband and child. They are from God -- gifts to be cherished. Hold onto your little ones and don't begrudge your husband's snuggles at night, when you just want to sleep! Because you just don't know how many days or hours you have left with them.