fortress of pillows

Everyday starts out with one. I build it in my bed for us so no one falls out and the little guy and I settle into it. Here is where we spend our early mornings. Cam snuggles up to me and eats breakfast, then we both close our eyes and get a little more sleep. He is tucked in next to me, fingers all wrapped around mine and his legs hidden cozily under my blanket. I lay my head down on a piece of the fortress next to him, getting myself in position to nuzzle and kiss his little head. He is the most peaceful and content little guy in the world right here. When I look down and see him like that, it is truly one of those moments I wish I could snap a picture of but it's no place for a camera or a flash. It's just one of those privileged mommy moments I'll have to hold on to in my mind forever.

When the little fingers start pulling my hair and poking at my face I know its time to open my eyes. Cam always greets me with that huge gummy smile of his. So pleased with himself that he got me fully awake. Now is when the fortress gets good... He is always in a great mood right about now. We make funny faces at each other and laugh. He is perched on my lap and playing with the pillows and the blankets and my water bottle if he can get his hands on it. Some days I turn on Sesame Street and he enjoys watching Elmo and chomping on the remote. I sneak in a few tickles here and there because they usually get me a belly laugh. He does some wiggling and flipping around now which gets him hanging upside down like a monkey from his pillow perch. From this angle he gets a good look at the ceiling fan, which he loves, and starts chattering away to himself and to the fan and throwing in a few screams and giggles here and there for good measure.

Lately Cam has really been huggy and kissy (which I LOVE). He's just understanding how to do it and how to show you that he can. So in between all of this fun stuff he reaches out for a hug whenever he can get one. And now he also wants to give me kisses too! Cam's idea of kisses involve his little open mouth somewhere on my face, lots of drool, hands squeezing my cheeks and lots of giggling of course. IT IS THE BEST.

Somewhere in all of this, the drool overtakes us and it's time to seek out dry clothes (and coffee for mom). At this point we depart the fortress of pillows and enter the real world for the day, knowing it will be there waiting for us again tomorrow.