Rock-a-Bye Mommy

Having a newborn demands lots and lots of rocking. And sometimes I think I enjoy it even more than she does. It’s this addictive movement that settles some of the restlessness of my mind.

Back and forth, back and forth. We got one swivel rocking chair before the baby was born. We got a glider for the other room after. Now we can feed her in the nursery and living room.

If some day on the future she gets bored of rocking, I will probably still do it sans baby. When I sit on the couch, it feels so stationery, fixed and comparatively cold.

Right now rocking calms and soothes her. It can stop some of the crying and lure her to sleep. As a new mom this is pretty magical.

Some days demand more rocking than others. Some days I am sweating with the soft blanket and her little warm body heating me. And my feet softly push us back and forth, back and forth.

My Bed as a Rocking Chair

Then, the coolest thing happened. One night. I think I must’ve been terribly tired. I probably did a long walk with Lucy. She probably cried a lot that day so I must’ve really been rocking.

Right when I was in my bed on the edge of sleep I felt the phantom movement of rocking. It was like the mattress was see-sawing me up and down.

It’s a not quite dizzy feeling but a kind of relaxation and body memory. The only thing I can really compare it to is surfing.

My Surfboard Slumber

After a long day with hours on the board and sun dehydration, I would come home and feel the rock of the ocean while laying in my bed. It mimics the time past the break where you lay on your board and let your back bake from summer.

This is my favorite part of surfing. Not standing and rising the waves. But the period where you rest from paddling out and stare at the horizon.

Now the phantom rocking post surfing doesn’t happen after every beach trip. You have to have put in some solid ocean hours and really exhaust yourself.

Then when night comes you can lay down and know the rhythm of the waves will sooth and rock you to sleep – just like you are still out there in the sometimes peace of the oceans mighty arms.

It is as though I am an infant on the ocean and the current can gently rock me to sleep.