It was dark. It was quiet. Everyone was asleep except for me. As I closed my eyes, about to join my family in slumber, I heard a little voice. Emmy was talking in her sleep, saying something completely cute and yet unintelligible. I thought to myself, “If I were already asleep, I would have missed hearing that little voice.” It was something for me, her mother, to treasure.
I thought about all the other little noises I hear when I am still awake and everyone else is in bed. Sometimes the house creaks. The wind makes our old windows rattle. When I am alone, typing on my laptop, I can hear the flutter of moths at the window screen, drawn in by the light at the window. An occasional car drives by; a freight train rumbles on distant tracks.
I enjoy these nights in a quiet house. It is a time for writing without interruptions. It is a time to finish that book I’ve been reading. Sometimes I think about how I will regret my late night in the morning, when Lily will jump on my bed and start to poke me. But for now, the night is mine. I relish it.
When I am ready for bed, I creep around the house, turning out lights and checking the locks. I gather together paperwork I need to finish in the morning and put it at my place on the kitchen table. Tiptoeing up the stairs, I listen to everyone breathing softly. I check on the girls and cover them up. I listen to my husband. He has to be up early for work, so I am happy when I hear him sleeping rather than tossing restlessly.
I slide under the covers and relax all my muscles. I hear Emmy’s little voice and think, “Ah, what a sweet little blog post that would make.” I write in my head. I could creep back downstairs, bring the laptop to bed and write. But that means I would have to get up, out from under my cozy covers.
Instead, I turn over and snuggle deeper into my pillow. I’ll write that blog post tomorrow night, when everyone is fast asleep again.
I love those quiet moments in the house when it's just me and my thoughts. And I adore this post!
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Beautiful post! Sounds like you really treasure your family. I like a good quiet night myself too! Great for writing, reading or whatever I want to do.
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Cute.
Oh that quiet time is truly precious isn't it? You have captured one of the quiet pleasures of motherhood 🙂
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This is lovely. The quietness of night is special isn't it? Enjoy those moments of solitude and inspiration.
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Your late night moments feel so snuggly good. I love the way you described them to us!
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I love that quiet time after everyone else is asleep. Ahhh.
I always regret those light nights, but I wouldn't give them up. It is amazing the amount of stuff I get down while everyone else sleeps (which means that when they are awake I can spend time with them). Plus, who can resist sneaking into your child's bedroom just to watch them sleep?
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Beautifully written! I agree with you! Having little ones myself I feel like I have something many others miss! I might miss hours of sleep when my littlest one wakes up but I gain so much more when I go to her crib and she smiles at me! I wish I could wake up everyone else to let them know of this great thing! But then I feel selfish and I want it all for myself and I feel I am so blessed to have those midnight gifts! Awesome Post! Thanks for sharing your beautiful moments with us!
For me it's early morning. Ben's a night owl, so the mornings are mine.
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I'm a total night owl and love that quiet time. We have 5 cats so it's always interesting to hear what they're up to when the house quiets down 🙂
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Love those late night sounds you can only hear once it's quiet. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I don't even put the tv once the kids go to bed when he works nights. I just love it! However, I sometimes enjoy for far too long and slightly regret it in the morning!
Posts are always being written in my head. Sometimes I do get up and turn the computer back on! Love this post, love the quiet of the night and your moment with Emmy.
What a beautiful post! I know just what you mean. I should go to be do much earlier, but I can't resist that sweet quiet time.
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Cute.
I love to listening to the house at night too. Haven't heard my little ones talk in their sleep yet…
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Bed time for kids is one of my favorite times of the day – no only do I finally get to relax but the silence is amazing after having a 1 and 2 1/2 year old boys running around! And about talking in sleep – my husband talks so much, it's hilarious!! My Father-in-law does too so it must run in the family if that's possible…I can only wait until my kids start talking too!!
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What a lovely post. I definitely enjoy some of the little things that only I get to witness.
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