Four Seconds
"And there are TWO beds, daddy!" Alexis sat curled up on one of those beds talking to her dad on the phone as I listened in from across the room.
We were staying at Castaway Bay for just one night, but it only took minutes for Alexis to be enchanted by the whole experience. She continued to describe the hotel room and her plans while she was staying in it. "I'm going to wake up in the middle of the night and get a snack and momma won't know because she'll be asleep in the other bed!" she declared.
She had already expressed to me that she was excited about the prospect of having a bed to herself. And so was I. I've been trying to get the kid to sleep in her own bed for nearly six years now. I didn't have the slightest idea why having a bed that was "hers" was such a treat. She has two of those at our house, but its never been a fact that she found even remotely interesting. No amount of bribery or coercion or even stern demands have ever come close to convincing her to try sleeping in her own bed.
But that night she was absolutely determined to do so.
Eventually the hour turned late and the excitement and chaos of the day started to catch up with her little body. She had spent two solid hours playing on water slides and jumping in the wave pool. Her yawns told a story that her mouth wouldn't--she was ready to rest. She denied being sleepy, but I knew better.
I turned off the TV, shut down my laptop, and flipped off the lights. "Goodnight, momma!" she whispered across the dark room.
"Goodnight, Alexis," I replied.
I closed my eyes and began to stretch my legs across the expanse of empty bed. Before I could even take a single breath, I sensed something standing beside me.
I hadn't heard her. She moves like a ninja at night. I could feel her there, though.
"Come on, you can sleep with me," I whispered.
She crawled into the bed and wiggled her way into her favorite spot beside me.
Four seconds. I had a bed to myself for a whole four seconds.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Reader Comments (11)
You are a better woman than I. Or Alexis is a better bed partner. Because Sabrina's butt would have slept in that other bed. :)
nawwwwww... cause my kids are older I possess kid in bed amnesia and think this is adorable.
You're lucky...having my son sleep in bed was like sleeping with 1000 ninjas. Now, he still asks me to snuggle w/him but on his bed. Much better except sometimes I fall asleep and fall off the edge of the bed!
My son is 7 and prefers to fall asleep with me beside him - usually in my bed. Dad moves him to his own his own bed though. Still toddler size-won't upgrade-so its gotten really hard for me to cuddle with him in his own bed. Honestly, I figure he's only little once so why not just enjoy the warm snuggles?
I know I should never admit this, not in a million years, so forget it the second you read it...
I kind of miss Alex sleeping with me. ::hides::
Four seconds is better than none. And cute PJs!
Oh, I miss those days! Trust me I remember how much they stink getting an elbow and legs and what not in your back and face and all but, I promise you will miss the cuddel time as she grows. I'm lucky. My son sitll give me lovin's but, not cuddel time. sigh.........
SUCKER!
Wow, that lasted longer than I though it would! ;P Sounds like you girls had fun.
I was adamant about the own bed thing, then there was a phase where it happened and I found myself praying to be beat up in my sleep again. I got my wish, and I'm going to enjoy it because one day out of the blue they truly are too big for your bed.
I probably shouldn't tell you this but I slept in bed with my mom until I was 14. Not all the time of course but if a bad dream hit then I was in there with no questions asked. My kids don't sleep in bed with us (they try but don't sleep so they end up going back to their bed on their own); I'm not sure which is better to be honest!
Four seconds is a great record by the way, my son would have lasted only 2.
You should have left her fall sleep and go to the other bed, I have done that in the past, then you get to enjoy the bed for at least 15 minutes until they wake up and realize you are not there anymore. :)