In that one moment...

This evening Charlotte needed a bath. In fact, I can't exactly remember the last time I gave her a bath, so I knew it was time! Having just finished feeding her,  I picked  her up, all covered in some organic vegetable and turkey medley and headed upstairs. 

It took a few minutes to get the tub ready, and as the water filled the tub, Charlie stood holding the side of the tub talking to her toys as they floated around the water. Finally, it was time to strip her down and get her in.

Charlotte loves taking baths. She loves to kick her feet and splash water everywhere. She has a rubber ducky and a rubber fishy. She also has a rubber whale that makes noise when it gets wet. She especially likes the whale, but since it sounds akin to a screaming banshee, we limit her playtime with it, for our own sanity! 

Tim and I were at the edge of the tub this evening as Charlie splashed around and made screeching noises. Eventually she worked her way on to her hands and knees and then promptly fell face first into the water. I immediately grabbed her and sat her back up. 

That is when I noticed it... Her eyes were wide... Her body shaking... She wasn't breathing...

My heart stopped. My little girl wasn't breathing.

She looked scared, confused, shocked. Her mouth was open, but nothing was happening. Tim grabbed her out of the tub and she started making coughing noises. She was coughing out, but it didn't seem like she was breathing in. And suddenly she started crying. It was labored at first, and after a few tries, it was back to normal.

This whole episode took less than a minute, but it could have been a lifetime. This was the first time my daughter had ever been in immediate danger. A thousand things ran through my mind, but the thing that screamed the loudest was, "please God, help my baby breathe!" 

It took less than three minutes for Charlie to get back to normal. She went back into the bathtub with no fear and we were able to finish cleaning her up. 

As I put my baby down to sleep this evening, I held her close and thanked God for answering my prayer. I was reminded as to what a precious gift she is and I am honored to be her mother. Chances are this won't be the last heart stopping, adrenaline pumping moment I will have with her, but hopefully we can keep them to a minimum.

This event is a reminder that I can't do this 'mommy-thing' on my own. I am so thankful that I have a wonderful husband in Tim. He is such an involved and attentive daddy and I am so glad that he is such a hands on parent.

And finally,  I am thankful that I have a God who loves Charlotte even more than I do. And considering how much I love her, he must love her a whole lot!!