I used to be a sound sleeper . . . used to be. That all ended once we had children. I thought it was bad enough that our kids wake us up several times each night for whatever dumb reason - nightmares, water requests, "I want daddy!", etc.
Well, I was wrong. Now, somehow we need to be able to "watch" the children when we're sleeping.
Last night, I woke up (as I do every night right now) to run to the bathroom, then I went downstairs for something to drink. When I came back upstairs and sat down in bed, I noticed 2 of Darwin's bedtime companions at the foot of the bed. I thought it was odd because I was certain they were not there when we went to bed. I spend pretty much all day holed up in my bed right now, so I would have noticed if they were sitting there before bedtime or if he brought them earlier.
I recalled an incident from earlier in the night. First thing in the morning, I am used to waking up to Darwin closing his bedroom door as he gets himself out of his crib and heads to our room. The sound of the door always wakes me up. Last night, I was asleep, and I recall hearing a door close, but I was so tired I wasn't sure if it was a dream or if it had really happened. I asked James to check, but I fell asleep before I made sure he followed up. When I woke up and found Darwin's things in our bed, I was afraid that he slipped out of his bed, brought us his babies, and ended up somewhere other than his bed.
When I told James what I was worried about, he went to check on him. Luckily, he was in bed, but I couldn't help but worry and wonder if he had, in fact, gotten out of bed in the middle of the night. If so, how do I keep the kid out of trouble while I'm sleeping?
Tonight, I was doing some work in bed, and I decided to go downstairs to get something to drink. We generally leave the hallway and stairwell lights off at night. I approached the top of the stairs with a dirty cup in my hand, and I reached for the handrail. [This minor detail made all the difference in what happened next]. I started to step on the first step and felt like I was setting my foot on a small, warm dog. I froze and yelled for James as I save myself from falling down the stairs with the handrail I luckily decided to use.
With the crisis averted, I realize that the "dog" on the stairs was actually Amelia. She wakes up multiple times each night, and tonight she decided to lay down on the 1st stair at the top of the stairs, dangerously out of view from her very pregnant mom in a dark hallway. (Note to self: Always check stairs for sleeping children before walking, especially when pregnant). As her dad takes her back to bed, I think 'I could have just killed Amelia, Baby Tiny, and me if I had not been holding the handrail'. I shake my head that I have actually just had that thought.
As they all lie in bed sleeping (for now), I wonder what our next waking incident is going to be. Hopefully, this is all just a phase because James and I might lose it if we have to put up with the nighttime crazies for too much longer.
Originally drafted in Fall of 2011 . . . finally published on post date
Showing posts with label Darwin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darwin. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Let Me Take a Deep Breath . . .
It's been a while, and the unfinished drafts are piling up.
I have been a busy mom in the last several months, focusing all my time on work, family, and household work. Needless to say, my blogging has fallen by the wayside. I have 18 unposted drafts because I have started so many that I have been unable or unwilling to finish that I keep thinking I'm going to have time to finish. Maybe this one will finally make it.
Our kids have grown so fast and so much has happened that I don't even know where to start. With each new baby, I have done a progressively worse job of writing and recording memories from their childhoods. There is still plenty of time, but it still makes me sad knowing how fast that first year goes. That being said, little Darwin is almost ready to turn 2, and I probably have less than half the number of posts for him than I did for the first three kids. Funny how we grow to understand what our own parents went through as each subsequent child has fewer pictures and keepsakes.
One funny thing about our littlest guy (for now): he's a singing machine. He loves music, learning new songs, and best of all, singing them at the top of his lungs. Yes, most kids love to sing, but how many can really carry a tune? Darwin is unique amongst our kids for this quality. He not only has good pitch, but he also pays attention to the timing and the other details in songs. His favorite sing along: MJ's "Beat It". I don't expect him to be the next Andrea Bocelli, but it's one thing I want to remember about him as a baby. One of these days we're going to remember to tape him.
He's also talking up a storm now, repeating anything and everything he hears. He likes to tell the kids what to do, what not to do, and if they make him mad, he's not afraid to fight back. He's a bit of a screamer, but we're working on that. He's an easy baby in so many ways that his difficult habits seem small by comparison.
He likes to wake up and say "Good Morning!" to Baby Tiny by pulling up my shirt and smacking my belly. He always remembers to tell me he loves me when I leave for work in the morning, which always melts me. I know one day he'll stop, so I'll cherish it while it lasts.
I think to date, he's our easiest bedtime baby, or he's a close 2nd to Truman. He's not always immediately willing, but he never puts up much of a fight. He has a stuffed frog that plays music, whom he affectionately calls "Grog", and a teddy bear, known as "Baby Bear". They're his morning buddies as Mom & Dad struggle with mornings earlier than 7:30 a.m.
There's no doubt that he's in a big hurry to grow up, so I'm clinging to the end of his babyhood. I guess with Baby Tiny on her way, he's going to have to get used to being the big brother. I'm looking forward to introducing them, so hopefully, Baby Tiny and I make it safely through pregnancy and delivery. I'm sure he'll make a great big brother. He has 3 great models.
(originally drafted 6/6/2011)
I have been a busy mom in the last several months, focusing all my time on work, family, and household work. Needless to say, my blogging has fallen by the wayside. I have 18 unposted drafts because I have started so many that I have been unable or unwilling to finish that I keep thinking I'm going to have time to finish. Maybe this one will finally make it.
Our kids have grown so fast and so much has happened that I don't even know where to start. With each new baby, I have done a progressively worse job of writing and recording memories from their childhoods. There is still plenty of time, but it still makes me sad knowing how fast that first year goes. That being said, little Darwin is almost ready to turn 2, and I probably have less than half the number of posts for him than I did for the first three kids. Funny how we grow to understand what our own parents went through as each subsequent child has fewer pictures and keepsakes.
One funny thing about our littlest guy (for now): he's a singing machine. He loves music, learning new songs, and best of all, singing them at the top of his lungs. Yes, most kids love to sing, but how many can really carry a tune? Darwin is unique amongst our kids for this quality. He not only has good pitch, but he also pays attention to the timing and the other details in songs. His favorite sing along: MJ's "Beat It". I don't expect him to be the next Andrea Bocelli, but it's one thing I want to remember about him as a baby. One of these days we're going to remember to tape him.
He's also talking up a storm now, repeating anything and everything he hears. He likes to tell the kids what to do, what not to do, and if they make him mad, he's not afraid to fight back. He's a bit of a screamer, but we're working on that. He's an easy baby in so many ways that his difficult habits seem small by comparison.
He likes to wake up and say "Good Morning!" to Baby Tiny by pulling up my shirt and smacking my belly. He always remembers to tell me he loves me when I leave for work in the morning, which always melts me. I know one day he'll stop, so I'll cherish it while it lasts.
I think to date, he's our easiest bedtime baby, or he's a close 2nd to Truman. He's not always immediately willing, but he never puts up much of a fight. He has a stuffed frog that plays music, whom he affectionately calls "Grog", and a teddy bear, known as "Baby Bear". They're his morning buddies as Mom & Dad struggle with mornings earlier than 7:30 a.m.
There's no doubt that he's in a big hurry to grow up, so I'm clinging to the end of his babyhood. I guess with Baby Tiny on her way, he's going to have to get used to being the big brother. I'm looking forward to introducing them, so hopefully, Baby Tiny and I make it safely through pregnancy and delivery. I'm sure he'll make a great big brother. He has 3 great models.
(originally drafted 6/6/2011)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Baby D Turns One
One year ago today, you woke me up with a sharp kick to the stomach. You hit me so hard, that I got up to go to the bathroom, and I realized what was happening. You hadn't just kicked me. You broke my water.
I woke up Dad at about 4:30 a.m., and he called your grandma who was ready to come take care of Jameson, Truman, and Amelia. We rushed off to the hospital, excited because we knew you were coming. We checked in, and labor progressed painfully quickly. By 7 or 8, I was begging for an epidural, and the doctor showed up not long after.
A few hours later, you were ready to meet the world, and you were out in no time. Moments after you were born, I found out that you were a boy. I was a little surprised since I was convinced you were a girl. Either way, you were perfect, and I could not wait to bring you home to meet your brothers and sister.
We spent the next two days holding you, staring at you, and trying to pick your name. We knew right away that you were going to be such a good baby. You have not disappointed.
I knew you would be smothered in love from day one, and I knew I was right when everyone was far more excited to see you than Mom and Dad when we came home from the hospital. Every morning, JJ still wakes up to see if his little Darwinky is up yet. Truman and Amelia rush to Mom and Dad's bed when they wake up for a chance to be close to you and talk to you.
You are so anxious to be one of the big kids, and Mom is happy to keep you as a baby for as long as possible. Now I know why parents spoil the baby. I feel lucky to be your mom, and I can't wait to learn more about the little boy you are becoming. Before I know it, you'll be off to school (like JJ), anxious to do whatever JJ, Truman, and Amelia are doing.
Today, I just wanted to take a moment to remember how excited I was a year ago today to know that I would finally get to meet you. You have made it easy to be your mom, and you charm me every day with you big dimples, coy smiles, and happy demeanor.
Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Darwin!
I woke up Dad at about 4:30 a.m., and he called your grandma who was ready to come take care of Jameson, Truman, and Amelia. We rushed off to the hospital, excited because we knew you were coming. We checked in, and labor progressed painfully quickly. By 7 or 8, I was begging for an epidural, and the doctor showed up not long after.
A few hours later, you were ready to meet the world, and you were out in no time. Moments after you were born, I found out that you were a boy. I was a little surprised since I was convinced you were a girl. Either way, you were perfect, and I could not wait to bring you home to meet your brothers and sister.
We spent the next two days holding you, staring at you, and trying to pick your name. We knew right away that you were going to be such a good baby. You have not disappointed.
I knew you would be smothered in love from day one, and I knew I was right when everyone was far more excited to see you than Mom and Dad when we came home from the hospital. Every morning, JJ still wakes up to see if his little Darwinky is up yet. Truman and Amelia rush to Mom and Dad's bed when they wake up for a chance to be close to you and talk to you.
You are so anxious to be one of the big kids, and Mom is happy to keep you as a baby for as long as possible. Now I know why parents spoil the baby. I feel lucky to be your mom, and I can't wait to learn more about the little boy you are becoming. Before I know it, you'll be off to school (like JJ), anxious to do whatever JJ, Truman, and Amelia are doing.
Today, I just wanted to take a moment to remember how excited I was a year ago today to know that I would finally get to meet you. You have made it easy to be your mom, and you charm me every day with you big dimples, coy smiles, and happy demeanor.
Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Darwin!
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