changes

This morning as we were chatting together after the Little Dude had woken up, he said to me, "last night I sleeped... I slept good." There it was, a little self-correction, a little shift, a conscious attempt to conjugate the verb properly (never mind that it should have been 'slept well', one step at a time people). It was such a little moment, but I stands out as emblematic of the changes happening in our lives. The slow, gradual, constant growing up. 

Today the Little Dude has officially given up his afternoon nap. Or should I say more accurately that I have given up his afternoon nap. Because, really, for the last couple of months its been more for him than for me. I needed that hour of silence and quiet far more than he did. And I've clung to it as the little break in my day when I don't need to help anyone do anything. Or pick anyone up. Or tell them not to take a toy away from their brother. Or tell them 'no' or redirect them to a more appropriate activity. Or run over and pull anything out of their mouths. Or tell them to put. that. down. right. now. Man, do I love nap time. I sit. Still. And have a cup of tea. And drink it while it is still warm. And maybe with a bit of chocolate. And I watch TV, or read, or quilt or do whatever I want. And I'm not willing for that to end. 

But after yesterday's failed nap, during which I went down to the Little Dude's bedroom twice to take books out of his hands, and lay him back in his bed and tell him calmly but firmly that it was nap time, not play time, it occurred to me that maybe I was going about this the wrong way. He never did sleep. But he did stay in his room for an hour and a half all told. Hm. 

So today, I told him he did not have to nap. He could have quiet play time in his room. He wasn't sure about it at first, but I told him that it could be like yesterday. He could stay in his room and look at books or play with his buddies (bunny, bear, turtle, giraffe etc). He just had to be quiet, and calm. And if he felt like sleeping he could, but he did not have to. 

And he went for it. I had a lovely new stack of library books all ready, may of them involving a certain train by the name of Thomas. And he had a cup of water. And all his buddies, and just enough light, but not too much. And aside from a brief interlude when I had to look in on him and tell him that he could sing, but not quite so loudly, he stayed comfortably in his room for over an hour. I had my break and he had his. 

Oh, and this is what his room looked like after quiet time. He'd been told that he could look at any book he wanted, and even take them all off the shelves if he wanted to. He really liked that idea. It had just the right whiff of lawlessness to make his time alone palatable. That kid love his books, but he prefers them off the shelves rather than on. 

Speaking of changes, look what the Baby has learned to do. 

 Yep, a spoon is no longer just for chewing and whacking the table with. Eureka! Also, don't you love the sneeze at the 24 second mark. I know it should be gross, but somehow, when its a baby that does it, it becomes cute. Or maybe its just me. Maybe you're grossed out. Ah, whatever, it made us laugh. 

Comments

[ineke]

I loved watching the video. Why don't you give him the whole bowl, a plastic one that is. Perhaps you have one with a suction cup. Kees has graduated to no more naps, good for you that you still get a break. I forced the oldest two to nap for such a long time, just so I could have a break. I think moms need that.