bedtime

The hour or so before bedtime is always a little crazy (ok, a lot)... what with hungry and tired kids whining at your feet while you're trying to make dinner! I know it's the same in almost all households with children all across the world no doubt. That makes me feel a little better actually! :) Anyway, tonight Gabe was being particularly naughty. First he was throwing toys carelessly against the floorboards and walls. When I asked him to stop he made his way into the kitchen where I was attempting dinner and started bashing his little train in his hand against one of the kitchen chairs. Again, I asked him to stop. This time he bashes it one more time HARD into the table and just looks at me. Oh boy. Anyway, to make a long story short we have time out, I have a few talks with him about being nice, and even give him ideas of things to do, etc. Nothing works. He resorts in the end to yelling at me that he wants to go to time out! I say "ok, go ahead, buddy." He runs away and when he sees I'm not coming, he yells he wants me to put him in time out! Well, at this point I'm struggling to stay patient but at the same moment it hits me that he is obviously needing, and I mean NEEDING, some attention. Not in 5 minutes. Not after dinner. NOW! So I stop what I'm doing and go get him... but instead of time out I take him to the couch and sit down with him in my lap. We hug and talk and giggle a little... until after about 3 minutes he wiggles off my lap and runs off to play. I'm left wondering what on earth took me so long to figure out that all he needed was 3 minutes of my undivided attention! Dinner can wait 3 minutes. Especially when it means peace and happiness in our lives... for the moment anyway! :)

I just wanted to record that "aha" moment for myself. I feel bad about so many things I mess up as a parent, that it feels really good to acknowledge when I get something right. Haha! And I wanted to remember it... for other evenings in the future!

I had another sweet moment tonight, with Nyah this time. I have to say that one of my favorite times of the day with her is when I nurse her before tucking her into bed. It is dark and peaceful in her room. We just cuddle and relax and when she's done, she puts her little chin on my shoulder, one arm up by her face and the other tucked down against me while I burp her. Same position every night. Then we rock in the chair or walk around while that inevitably stubborn bubble makes its way up. At this point she is usually very sleepy and tonight she started rubbing her face against mine - all over my face. (It was hard not to laugh as I got my nose and eyes mashed by her roving little face.) She made her little snuffles and snorts... and tonight gave a spontaneous little grunt/laugh followed by a big sigh and little "pbbfffttt" with her lips. It was so sweet. It really pulled at my heartstrings. I just love how uninhibited babies are, especially with their mamas. When I lowered her into her crib she gave me her obligatory little whimper before settling down quietly with her binki and quilt. It's almost hard to leave at night - I just want to give her one more kiss, one more cuddle, one more stroke on the cheek. Oh how I love that little girl.