Some times when Paul is asleep, his mouth opens in a wide smile and he giggles to himself. He stays asleep.
Some times when Paul is sad, I sing him a song. The other day he was wearing a Noah’s ark outfit, with animals on it. As I was changing his diaper, he was very cranky. I began to sing “Rise and Shine”.
Paul stopped crying and smiled at me. I sang it to him a number of times through the day and he always seemed happy to hear it.
Ever since he was born, I’ve developed the habit of singing him “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” and “Jesus Said Love Everyone” and “I am a Child of God” at least once a day. Even though I don’t have an incredibly beautiful voice and I’m probably off key, he usually calms down when I begin to sing.
Ryan thinks babies dream in colors and faces. They don’t have words, but they have colors. I like to think that Paul dreams in song as well. He may not have the words, but the sounds and the love behind them are pleasant to him. I like to think that he smiles in his sleep because he’s thinking of music.
How do you think a baby dreams?
Right now he no doubt closes his eyes and tries to envision the grandparents who he knows must be out there waiting to cuddle him any day now. I think babies definitely dream in cuddles and songs. I can’t wait to see his smiley or serious little face in person.
When I see my little guy smile and coo in his sleep, I like to believe that he sees the preexistence–he’s remembering the kind faces of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and is comforted by the calm memory of that beautiful place.