What I Miss When I'm Away From Home

As I write this, I’m 39,000 feet in the air, headed 3000 miles away from my babies. (Don’t tell my 6 — or even 3-year old — that I still think of him as a baby!) I’m off to a business conference, and while I’m excited to meet other Disney Baby bloggers and see many of my writing friends, I can’t help but think of what I’ll be missing at home — the stuff of motherhood that is too easily taken for granted in the hustle and bustle of life with three little kids.

Here are just a few of the little somethings I’ll miss while I’m away for four (yes, four!) days.

• Perfectly pudgy baby feet, politely crossed
• Creased, scrumptiously soft baby skin
• Ruffling brittle, over-chlorinated summer hair
• Walking into the nursery to find my baby girl awake, happily waving and saying (with her seemingly southern accent), “Hi!”
• Awkward fingers navigating the zucchini-to-mouth adventure
• Lovey cuddles and sniffs
• Enthusiastic giggles, claps, hugs, and (far-too-wet) kisses
• The uninhibited wiggle of little bodies when music starts to play
• Being the only person in the world who can cure ouchies, fill water cups, and play referee
• The look of pride on my kids’ faces when they think they’ve done something truly amazing (because, of course, it was)
• Crossing the street so I have an excuse to feel a little hand inside of mine
• The way “no” can become an eight-syllable word
• Being hit in the head with a ball while I’m eating lunch (ok, maybe I won’t miss that)
• Reading bedtime stories — the medal for another successful day under our belts
• Peaceful bodies that have given themselves over entirely to the world of sleep

Yes, that’s just the beginning of what I’ll miss. But I know I’ll appreciate these things so much more after missing the everyday moments for just a bit.

When you’re away from home, what do you miss?

Read more from Amy on her slice-of-life parenting blog, Using Our Words.
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