Usually when I put Alex to bed, I sit in a chair by his bed and knit, or think about knitting, or cleaning or working out, or blogging, or chatting, or anything but the task of helping this boy get to sleep.
Last night I was tired. Alex was squirrelly and my patience was thin. I leaned over to kiss him goodnight and he came up for one . . . two . . . three kisses, and then reached his little arms up to give me a hug. I got the afghan my mom knitted for me when I graduated college, and I climbed in bed by him.
At first we both assumed the same posture – on our tummies, both arms stuck under our pillows, head on pillow. Then the tired squirrellys attacked again and Alex started kicking his feet and doing things that I knew were just to keep him awake (like mother like son). I reached out and started rubbing his back – hard – deep. He stilled. He rested.
He started wiggling again and soon his face was on my pillow, pushing up to mine. I opened my eyes and looked at him. He smiled and patted my face. I smiled back. I great big, I don’t care that you are being cute to keep from going asleep smile. We cuddled our face for long minutes. I told him, “I don’t smile enough at you do I? I’ll try to do better.”
He put his head by mine, he slid his hands under my pillow, under my hands.
He slowly pushed me off the pillow, leaving me to sleep on a stuffed Eeyore.
And after sleeping by him all night long – today? I have smiled at him more. Now I am off to smile at him EVEN more. Even though he is avoiding his nap. (Like mother like son.)
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And I am smiling at you xoxox
Always a good reminder to smile at those we love!
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Awww man. There’s nothing better than hugs and smiles from your kids. What you said reminds me of one of my favourite books that I read the kids… http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-When-You-Smile/dp/0060842458 It’s the cutest book ever
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Sigh. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that with the kids. I miss it.
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awwwww… I don’t do enough of that either…
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He’ll remember your smile always.
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Those little bastards make us better.
Or just bend us to their will.
Either way.
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my son gets so mad at me when i sit and smile at him.
but…i can’t help it.
my babies…make me smile.
Ack, I haven’t snuggled Amy like that in much too long.
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I love Lotus’ comment, because it’s perfect.
I love you, because you write this, you feel this and I understand this. Meeting you was a joy and an honor, reading you is a treasure, counting you as my friend, priceless.
*YAY I’m able to read and comment now!!!*
The best. Sometimes you just gotta cuddle up and smile.
this made ME smile
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Precious, Dawn. Just precious.
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AWWWWWWW!
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It’s hard to remember to smile when they’re trying your patience. I was in a very similar situation last night and unfortunately I didn’t smile back. Tonight I’m going to make sure I smile at my little boy extra and maybe even remember this next time he doesn’t want to sleep at 1:30 in the morning.
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That was like a breath of fresh air.
That was sweet. I think we’re lucky to have moments like those.
Colleen – Mommy Always Winss last blog post..I really just want to bitch and whine, but I won’t.
I’m afraid I will have to come back and read this again. You lost me at all the math, it’s late, and I’m hopeless. Not a good combo.
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