Saturday, January 19, 2008

a bliss I have never before known

I had no idea of the sweetness of a conventional bedtime, of Swee'pea lying awake but drowsy and all tucked in beneath the blankets, his head cushioned in the sweet divet of a soft pillow, apparently all cool with my announcement that I'm going downstairs.; of watching his heavy-lidded eyes watch my face as it closes in for a kiss on his soft soft face; of whispering the words, "Night Night," and knowing that I am leaving the room. I have no guilt, since he's had 20 minutes of walking back and forth with Dada and 15 minutes of lying in bed with Mama first.

He asks for milk as I straighten up, and because it's been a while since he used that as a stalling tactic and he did have some salty things for dinner, I get it for him without argument. I watch him drink, repeat the soft kiss and Night Night whispers, and walk down the stairs in perhaps the most blissful silence ever, apart from the creaking wood.

It's 10 pm, and I haven't heard from him since. This is second such moment in our lives, both within a few days of each other.

No jinxes please... I've been knocking on wood all over the place, but I had to make a record.

hanging-with-vwsepia

12 comments:

Beck said...

I LOVE my kids' bedtimes. You guys are doing a good job with your little man - and now it's easy work to gently start moving the time back until eventually you will realize with a bit of a shock that it's 7:30, your little guy is in bed and you have the whole evening to YOURSELF. Good work.

S said...

i am so happy for you. sweet!

Mouse said...

It took a long time before a bedtime routine meant that we could leave the room while Scooter was still awake. And now he's a champ at going to bed. That was a welcome transition or us. Glad to hear there's a light at the end of the tunnel for you!

Suz said...

Excellent! I missed this when Ty-baby went on strike and am so glad that we have it back now. Good for you and good for Swee'pea

Mimi said...

Oh, fantastic, Sin! It does feel nice, doesn't it, and by god, you guys have waited long enough. Bask in it. Bask!

Jennifer said...

All hail mighty BEDTIME! Yeah!

And that photo? Love, love, love, love, love. (I love it, did you guess? ;))

flutter said...

perfect.

Bon said...

there is an incredible sweetness to it, both for the inherent beauty of a wee one ready for bed and all the more precious because it represents the beginning of a few hours to yourself.

i have never quite gotten used to it, though...every night that i creep out of his room i expect the howls. they seldom come anymore, but it still always feels like a miracle when they don't.

crazymumma said...

mmmm. that crackled wall in the photo. nice.

bedtime. Its so nice when they go down easy huh?

Anonymous said...

Oh yes. Must. Have. Bedtimes.

Kyla said...

Oh Sin, YAY! I am thrilled for you guys (and yes, no jinxes. I wholeheartedly agree with you there).

One of my favorite moments is the bedtime exchange with KayTar, her small voice echoing back such sweet sentiments.

Unknown said...

Hurray for you - and him! And evenings and cozy drowsiness and knowing littles ones are nestled away.