Bedtime Ladybug

Ladybug used to be our miracle bedtime baby. I'd take her to her room to change and dress her for bed and it was a struggle because she spent the entire time trying to throw herself into the crib. Finally, I'd set her down and she instantly plopped into a pile of blankets and go to sleep for ten hours.

Now, we struggle. We usually have to take her back to her room at least twice because she sneaks out after bedtime. She eventually falls asleep but around 3 am, she wakes up and sneaks to our room again and cuddles in between us to go back to sleep. She's gotten so good at it that we don't even realize it until morning.

The night before last, I put her to bed and 15 minutes later was putting her to bed again. She seems legitimately upset about something so I took my time cuddling her and laid down next to her to sing to her until she stopped crying. I told her good night and tried to slip away but she put her hand to my cheek asking, "no mommy, please don't go. stay mommy." she pulled me back down to the bed, tucked me in to share her favorite blankets and resumed stroking my cheek with the back of her hand (just like I do to her). She made me melt. But ten minutes later when I really did leave she yelled, "no I don't want you! I want daddy". She continued to cry for another 15 minutes until daddy tucked her in again.

Last night, I let her stay in my bed after her third sneak-out because I was too tired and sore to try again (learning to walk without the boot again). Plus I knew daddy would be home soon and figured she was waiting for him anyway. So I pulled her in and cuddled her against me whispering that I love her and listing things I love about her. I told her "you're wonderful" and she whispered to herself "I wonderful." So I said it again and again, she repeated it in her soft whisper. Eventually we fell asleep, daddy came home and carried her to her own bed. But this morning, I was still asleep when I felt her lift my arm so she could wiggle herself in and cuddle up against my chest. As we woke up slowly together I whispered, "you're wonderful." she smiled, her eyes sparkled and she whispered back "I wonderful. I love you mommy."

Great way to start the day.