I was at my computer as The Husband took care of showers and bedtime upstairs. For a while it was white noise-the kind you are unaware of specifically but on some level you link to normal. When it entered my conscious, I took stock.
- race cars on the bamboo floors
- the humming that always comes from The Middle One when he’s doing anything. Tonight I think the song was a pop song. Often it’s a television theme song or just a melody he made up in his head.
- lyrics to some made up song coming from The Girl’s room. Like her brother, she has a song for everything. He hums, She sings. All. Day. Long.
- That sweet voice that The Baby has now-high pitched but clear as day. He’s narrating bath time for dad.
- The deep timbre of dads voice in return. He must make that little person feel so important with all the questions he has.
- Splashing of a bath.
- The sound effects that accompany a Lego Star Wars Battle
- Sibling chatter
The noises eventually waned and led to that blissful silence that lasts for the few minutes between just after they doze off until the business of night begins- with dishes and lunches and talk of adult days.
The silence is nice. Usually I relish it. But that night, I was thankful for the noises as they are the sounds of all that I love. They are sounds of Home.
P.S. Looking for more parenting guidance and tips for self-care? Check out From Chaos to Calm a guided training to help you feel better in this tough season.