This post started as a rant about the fight Justin and I had. But I realized that wasn’t appropriate to air that kind of laundry…at least not while he still reads my blog and has comments emailed to him. Suffice it to say it wasn’t pretty, complete with ugly words, and hurt feelings, and for what I think was the first time in nearly 10 years together, I retreated by myself to cool down. Usually I’m the one chasing Justin around the house, shouting like some crazed harpy.
But not this time. I was mad, I was wounded, and didn’t want it to get uglier than we had already allowed it to get, especially since the kids were right there.
I sat in our room working on laundry, watching something stupid on TV so that I could let my brain wander and sort out what was said, and what I was going to say once the kids were in bed, trying to formulate the best passive-aggressive remark to get my point across.
I finished up the laundry, put it away, and started running the water for the kids’ bath. Justin brought them up and, with very few words exchanged, we went to work scrubbing and rinsing them. I pulled Cooper out and got him dried off and into his jammies. I heard Justin doing the same for Gavin. I sat in the rocking chair to give Cooper his nightly cup of milk and snuggle, heart still hurting from the argument two hours before.
Instead of fidgeting around like usual, Cooper looked at me with those big slate-colored eyes of his, crawled up to put his head on my shoulder and nuzzled in my neck. We rocked for a good ten minutes, then I stood up and swayed to the lullabye music playing with Cooper while he kept cuddling and patting me, and stroking my arms, shoulders, and playing with my hair with his chubby little hands.
And I began crying. This little baby, not quite a year old, seemed to know I was hurting and took care of me the best way he knew how. God only knows how Cooper knew (actually, I think He had a lot to do with Cooper’s response to me). But I cried quietly, feeling the pain melt away, trying to not sob or sniff loudly lest I break the spell of my baby comforting his mother.
16 Comments
Aww . . . shucks. Sumo would probably just try to rip my hair out by the fist-full and/or punch me in the jugular.
Awwww, that baby would melt my heart every time.
I could take a bite out his thigh meat!
too sweet.
How do they know? What a sweet boy, loving his mama.
Kids know. Bean has comforted this momma many times.
Cooper is a sweetie pie.
What a wonderful (and I’m sure much needed) moment. How do they know?
Love that video, too! What a cutie pie!
I hope you and Justin worked it out. I hate fights like that. We don’t have many, but even one feels like too many.
I love me some baby. They are so in tuned to our needs. I love that.
They just know – and they show their concern in the same way *you* show it when they’re hurting. He obviously knows what comfort is, because Momma gives it to him ๐ Empathy in small people is priceless. You’re doin’ it right.
I agree with airing personal things (like fights) online for the enjoyment of others. Some things just aren’t meant to be shared.
Hope you and Justin worked things out.
I love that Cooper knew just what you needed. When I was pregnant with B and sick every day, my nephew who was around 1 would rub my back while I was getting sick.
Oh sweetie. I hope you worked things out. It took me years to figure out some of the cycles in our fights. The stupidity. What to let go of and what to hang on to for all I’m worth. My Hunny is the one who chases me around the house like a harpy, so I know the beauty of the retreat. And the tears.
We all have fights and some are more hurtful than others. I’m sure things will get worked out. That’s amazing Cooper sensed it. Glad he could comfort you! When Pat and I raised our voices at each other the other night Zane kept running to me and wanting me to hold him. It was the first time I had seen that reaction.
I love the video- I’m dying for Landon to say mama, but every time I try to get him to do it, he just laughs at me like “nice try mom, but I know that isn’t a real word!”
Your little Cooper is adorable and I’m glad he was there for you when you needed him. It’s so lovely when they give back a little, isn’t it?
Are they simply perfect or what? Divine intervention . . .
Hope all is well with you and the big man. I know it can be tough. We’ve been butting heads lately. Thankfully, a little J time seems to remind us what is important and what isn’t.
Ainsley enjoyed seeing the boys. ๐
Kids just know. And honest to God, I think sometimes my dog knows.
That is sooo sweet! Babies are so intuitive. Truly heaven sent.
Husband’s on the other hand… ๐