Ode To Motherhood

It's 11:16PM and I walk into his room, lean over his crib and wait as my eyes adjust to the darkness. He comes into focus and I see his milky white perfect little face, eyes closed, sound asleep, flawless kissable little lips, and I just stare, taking it all in. I put my hand on his chest and let it rise and fall in sync with his breathing. My heart swells with even more love, and I send up a silent little prayer of gratitude. I tell myself to go to bed and just keep standing there, watching him sleep, so peaceful, so perfect.
It's 5:57AM and I hear him. Half crying, half whimpering, calling for me, letting me know it's time to eat. I walk into his room and peer into his crib, and his little face lights up, all smiles with sleepy little eyes, mouth open greeting me and my heart skips a beat. I send up a silent little prayer of gratitude, unwrap him and wait as he stretches out his little body from being swaddled all night. I gather him into my arms, right where he belongs and take him in to nurse and cuddle him.
It's 9:04 AM and he's finally up for the day.  I walk in to get him and as soon as our eyes meet, his sleepy little face lights up and a smile that could melt an iceberg forms on his face.  I send up a silent little prayer of gratitude as I greet him for the morning, which only consists of more smiles, cuddles, coos, loves, hugs, and endless babble between both of us, with me constantly laughing and singing and an occasional but priceless little laugh from him.
It's 4:30 PM and he's sitting in my lap waving his chubby little arms, trying to grab the book I'm reading to him. He stares at the bright colors, absorbing everything like a little sponge, and chatting the whole time I'm reading.  Every once in a while, he'll turn his little neck and cock his head awkwardly and look up into my face and give me a look of curious interest, and I send up a silent little prayer of gratitude. I make goofy noises and ridiculous faces at him and he mimicks me with equally goofy noises and faces, and he smiles at my every move.
It's 9:10 PM and it's bath time. He LOVES bath time.  He kicks his feet and splashes non-stop getting me almost as wet as he is, constantly trying to grab the wash cloth.  I wash his hair and face and he looks up at me with wet eyelashes and once again smiles an enormous smile, and I send up yet another silent little prayer of gratitude.
It's 10:50 PM and he's warm and dry, nursed and full, and snuggly tucked away, swaddled in his crib.  I hit my knees and send up imense gratitude to Him.  I thank Him for the amazing little miracle of life He blessed me with. I thank Him for his health, for his heart, for his spirit, for the endless smiles, loves, cuddles, coos, cries, and breaths.  I ask Him for another day just like this one, and thank Him for making me a mother. I couldn't have a greater calling in life. After pouring my heart out, I then climb into bed, close my eyes, and anxiously wait until I get to see his smiling little face again.