Monday, December 15, 2008

Good night, sleep tight

Someone will probably want to revoke my Mom License for this, but I never used to check on my kids at night before I went to bed. Just getting them to sleep in the first place was far too time-consuming. I dared not risk it by tiptoeing anywhere near. The only time I chanced it was if I suspected they might not, in fact, be in their beds--hence the time I found Opie sound asleep on the floor of his room, completely bare of pajamas or even a diaper.

Lately, though, I can't resist sneaking a peek. I must have established the habit when Jo was sick this summer. Now I crack open each door just an inch or two, to see those little sleepyheads. I'd never realized Jo talks in her sleep. But nearly every night, she mumbles a little something. The sound of the doorknob turning is just loud enough to rouse her ever so slightly, but she rolls over and is dreaming again before I can even close the door. Opie, inevitably, hasn't moved an inch since I left him a few hours before, snoring slightly, with the stuffed animal du jour tucked in nearby.

Turning away from his door, I look across the hall at the room that's now (theoretically) a home office, and will one day be the new baby's room. Can it really be that one day another child will sleep right there behind that door? I'm still amazed.

12 comments:

Binkytowne said...

Yes! Soon! That baby is going to be here before you know it!

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

It's so exciting! I'm so happy for you.

nonlineargirl said...

I am with you. Until the fall I pretty much never checked on Ada - I didn't want to wake her up. Now I go in to put the blanket back over her, and she barely ever stirs. It is very sweet.

Bon said...

it is amazing. always.

and i was the same with the checking on whilst sleeping thing. still am most of the time, though the boy is finally big enough that he can sleep pretty soundly.

which is good, cause we're trying to keep the home office and transition the baby to HIS room.

Heather said...

Smiles! I love the dreaming about the new baby. My last pregnancy I daydreamed a lot about that little girl. Just lovely remembering.

Julie Marsh said...

Aw. I've started checking mine more often too, now that I can count on them to stay asleep.

Magpie said...

Funny. I check on mine, I go in to turn out the light, but I never close the door. Ever. Her door or ours.

Lady M said...

Awww, so sweet.

I'll admit to doing the late-night "is he breathing" check now and again.

Lisa said...

Congrats on the new baby! Am SO EXCITED for you all. YEAY!!!!!

Patois42 said...

So beautifully sweet.

Kimberly said...

So exciting!

I love to watch my kids sleep. It's so peaceful.

Kate said...

I LOVE that picture.

I'm actually just the opposite when it comes to checking on the kids. I'm a little obsessed with checking and re-checking. Especially when they were infants.

How exciting that another little one will join the Mayberry clan! You must be bursting with excitement.