Timing Is Everything
It was well over two hours past her bedtime, on a school night no less, so it was not at all surprising that Alexis had fallen asleep in the car. What was surprising was just how very asleep she was. When I leaned into the back of the car to unbuckle her seatbelt and carry her into the house, a river of drool ran down her face and onto her coat. She was so sound asleep that she didn't even wake up as I maneuvered her arms through the seatbelt straps, a surprising fact as she has been waking up enough to get her own arms through the holes by herself for years now. Normally, if a flea exhales three counties over, it's enough to wake Alexis.
I carried her into the house and gently set her down on the couch so I could find some pajamas. She who is usually oblivious of the human need to sleep didn't so much as twitch. She stayed sound asleep as I quickly pulled off her shoes, pulled her arms through her coat sleeves, carefully maneuvered her cardigan out from under her, and removed her tights. She even stayed asleep as I replaced her dress with a comfy pair of pink flannel Minnie Mouse pajamas.
I hauled her upstairs to her bed, her sleeping body like a sack of potatoes in my arms. I pulled back her bedding and carefully tucked her in between her brightly-colored polka dot sheets. As I pulled the last of her many blankets up to her chin, I marveled at the fact that she still hadn't stirred AT ALL. I don't remember the last time that I managed to move the child from the car to her bed without her waking up and throwing a middle-of-the-night party. Three years? Maybe four?
I leaned down to give Alexis a kiss on her forehead, just as I always do when I tuck her in for the night. "Goodnight, princess," I whispered. "I love you."
"I love you, too, momma," she whispered back.
She may not have stirred when I could have used a little help getting her to bed more efficiently, but even as she slept, she managed to say the exact right words at the exact right moment.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Reader Comments (13)
I love this, what a sweet, little heart melting moment for you.
So perfect!
I love this post. If I could star it (like on Twitter) I would!
Beautiful. What a great moment.
(I love those tasks that are such clear markers of parenting - like carrying a child to bed and tucking them in. To get that response... oh, my heart.)
Total arrow to the heart moment! (Hugs)Indigo
Awwwww!
Isn't it awesome how they can do that? I can NEVER get Gracie to wake up. There could be tornado sirens blaring and I have to carry Gracie and get her little sister to walk to the bathroom with me because I can't get the child to stir once she's fallen asleep. But the night after our ER visit when I had to wake her up all night to make sure she wasn't bleeding into her brain? Wouldn't you know she woke up and answered my questions every single time. Somehow, they know. :)
Love this. My 4yo daughter tells me she loves me every time I check on her in bed, no matter how loud she's snoring. Warms the cockles.
{{ smiles }}
That is too sweet!
So sweet. Now remember this when she's driving you crazy today.
That is just the BEST. :)
Too sweet!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!! So dang cute!! Kids are soooo precious.