As a part of our nightly routine, I rock Maggie to sleep every single night. Most nights I really enjoy the feeling of her little body in my arms and the feeling of her falling asleep. The other nights, the ones that are less enjoyable, often carry a funny tone by the next morning.
For example, last night she just didn’t want to fall asleep even though we’d read numerous books, had milk, turned off the light and sang a billon songs. After I stopped singing and rocking, she continued to chant and sing her own songs about me, Barry and Sydney.
Eventually she fell asleep and I transferred her to bed, only to find that she wasn’t fully asleep and was still willing to put on a concert for anyone within listening distance. I fake-slept my way through a number of songs, wondering when my little song-bird would drift off.
But of course last night was the night of making up lyrics that go on forever and ever. I learned very quickly that I am not a Cry-It-Out mother. Many of my friends swear by it, but it just wasn’t something that we’ve been able to do at our house and that has always meant that getting Maggie to sleep takes a bit longer before I’m free to do as I please for the rest of the evening.
I’m typically fine with this; however, as Maggie busted out song after song and poke after poke, I found myself increasingly frustrated with the fact that she just wasn’t sleeping. I fought the urge to get up and rock her again, instead quietly let myself lay next to her trying to decipher the meaning of her songs. I should have written them down, because I found myself cracking up a few times.
She ended up giving me a 40 minute sing-along, 28 “Hi, Mama”s, 3 farts and at least 9 “Papa, are you?????”s. Then she passed out and I was able to slink away.
And tonight? She didn’t even make a peep as she instantly feel asleep in my arms. There wasn’t a single request for a song and she was snoring after about 13 minutes.
Sometimes bedtime can be frustrating or funny, but it sure can be sweet too.
*I wrote this post (about breastfeeding, I warn you) and said at the end that I’d only rock Maggie until she’s two…yeah right. Read it here.