Tonight in church I sat down and caught a whiff of a scent. It's a scent that brings back the same memory each time I smell it. Tonight, I don't know where the scent was coming from but it was distinct.
Almost 9 years ago I had my first baby, early. He was a big boy and he was a preemie. A 6lb 10oz, 6 week premature baby boy, I had complications with gestational diabetes and preterm labor that started at the beginning of my third trimester. I could not imagine being able to carry that precious boy to term, I'm sure I would have thought I was dying.
While he was in the hospital NICU, it was imperative that my husband and I "scrub in" just to get to see him. We would have to stand at a large sink basin with a disposable scrub brush and the antimicrobial soap and scrub for a long time. The soap, had a distinct scent. When I smell it now, I instantly remember standing over my baby and what he smelled like. What he smelled like then is beautiful and what he smells like now is beautiful too.
It's amazing how many memories are resurrected by that scent. The memory of the super charged, hospital grade breast pump (whew, I just started sweating), the Billi light goggles, the book we'd read over and over, the little Styrofoam cup that held cotton balls and Vaseline (that I kept for 7 years). I remember that I'd put one hand on top of his head and one hand at the bottom of his feet. I was told this made babies feel safe and secure like they were in the womb. I can't even count then number of tiny memories that surface when I get a whiff of that distinct scent.
I wish I could bottle scents like the smell of scrubbing in for a NICU visit, my favorite perfume of my Granny's, my husband after a shower, and so many more. As much of I love these memories, I seem to take for granted the moments that I am in now. So, I'm sure the smell today and the sudden flow of memories today were just a subtle reminder from our Beloved Lord that I need to start cherishing the moments I am in now. I should look forward to bedtime book readings with my boys with giddiness like they do. I know I should talk to my oldest son more often about how his day was after school because before long, he probably won't share with me his day. I should also kiss my husband more often.
So, this is my little reminder for myself and a little reminder for you that we should be making memories with our babies (no matter how big they are now) and our loved ones every chance we get.
Just a reminder and a little piece of myself...now out there for the world to see.
Thanks Amiee. Your wonderful words mean alot to me, and a lot of time they come just at the right moments. You are a beautiful, loveing person.
ReplyDeleteThis is so precious! What a sweet way to start my day!
ReplyDeleteLove this post, chickie! For a long time my son smelled like a sugar cookie, even in NICU. I finally figured out that the pacifier they gave him was vanilla scented! But now when I smell sugar cookies I think of my little sprout. I needed the reminder, too, because sometimes I'm so distracted that though I've spent all day with my 3, I haven't done any laughing - how is that possible?!!! Blessings to you,
ReplyDelete~ Caren
Oh, I miss that smell too. After we came home from the hospital I got in a panic when I realized that no one single store sold those paci's and that's the only one he'd take. I ordered them from the company and now you can find Soothies everywhere. I have the sweetest picture of Cooper hold his paci in himself at 2 weeks old. The NICU nurses taught the babies how to hold their paci's on their own. I was in complete AWE!
ReplyDeleteOh, I miss that smell too. After we came home from the hospital I got in a panic when I realized that no one single store sold those paci's and that's the only one he'd take. I ordered them from the company and now you can find Soothies everywhere. I have the sweetest picture of Cooper hold his paci in himself at 2 weeks old. The NICU nurses taught the babies how to hold their paci's on their own. I was in complete AWE!
ReplyDeleteOh, I miss that smell too. After we came home from the hospital I got in a panic when I realized that no one single store sold those paci's and that's the only one he'd take. I ordered them from the company and now you can find Soothies everywhere. I have the sweetest picture of Cooper hold his paci in himself at 2 weeks old. The NICU nurses taught the babies how to hold their paci's on their own. I was in complete AWE!
ReplyDeleteThat really takes me back to when my Elliot was born. He was a preemie too and I remember my husband and I praying together as we scrubbed at the sink. I felt like a complete failure as a mom because I didn't carry him to term. Thank God for the NICU nurses.
ReplyDeleteOh, this happens to me ALL the time. I've had two preemies. My now 4 yr old son was a micro-preemie - 1 lb 3 oz at 30 wks and my now 4 month old was 3 lbs 15 oz at 34 wks. The smell of "fresh" plastic (like ziploc bags) makes me remember the NICU, Oxygen and breathing tubes. Scarey but lovely memories all at the same time. Amy / www.momomma.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder! When I'm in the midst of my days, I forget to stop and breathe them in. Your post makes me want to go wake up the kids and snuggle longer. Thank you.
ReplyDelete