Our cuddler

Serene has become even more of a cuddler since she turned a month old. She's figured out that her cradle, swaddling blankets, and bed are now substandard substitutions for what she prefers: to be in our arms or atop our torsos. We stumbled through a couple of sleepless nights replete with her high-pitched wailing before we ascertained that, as Alex likes to say, she just wants to be loved. Now we do a lot more snuggling around the clock, which means that she often wakes up in the crooks of our arms now. Even though this is just a stage, we're trying to cherish holding her littleness as much as possible because we're told these moments are fleeting. The other day, as Serene was resting contentedly on Alex's chest, he started getting teary. "What's wrong?" I asked, alarmed. "I don't want to give her away," he replied forlornly, holding her tight and kissing the top of her head. It was so endearing that I laughed. "Lord willing, we'll have her for twenty-something years before she gets married," I replied. I'm so thankful for this time with my two loves. These really are the sweetest days.