a conversation in the wee hours

Yes, I am a big sucker.

I've read all the books and listened to all the advice about how to get your baby to sleep through the night. Yes, I have. I just choose to ignore all of it.

After listening to him cry for 15 minutes - not angry screaming crying, just that incessant, droning, upset, isn't-anybody-listening-to-me crying - I couldn't take it any longer. Yes, it only took 15 minutes. I'm a total lightweight.

So, I committed the cardinal sin of picking him up, even though he didn't need to be fed or changed and he wasn't bleeding. Not only did I pick him up, I somehow got suckered into taking him into my bedroom and laying down on my bed with him. I'm not sure how that happened - I think he used a mind ray on me.

So, this is the conversation I had with him while he was laying on my stomach:

"Yes, you see the pretty red lights on the clock. What do those lights say? They say four o-clock in the a.m. That's right! Four. O. Clock.
Four o-clock is not kicky, smiley time. No, it's not. It's sleepy time.
Yes, it is! It's mommy-has-another-two-and-a-half-hours-to-sleep time!"

"You see the kitty?
We don't grab the kitty by the ear, we pet the kitty gently.
See what you did? The kitty is running away.
There's no sense crying about it when you're the one who drove him off."

"Stop smiling at me and go to sleep."

"We don't kick mommy there."

"We especially don't kick mommy there."

He finally gave it up and dozed off in my arms, which was an indescribably wonderful, snuggly, warm feeling...until my arm went to sleep and I was afraid to move it because I didn't want him to wake up again.

Is this terrible? Have I started something that I won't be able to stop? Have I created a co-sleeping monster?

Oh, on another note, earlier this month I discussed my feelings about the Exersaucer debacle.

I am pleased to report that Charles managed to correctly decipher the hard-earned directions and we now have a functioning Exersaucer:

Thank god he actually likes it. It was such a pain in the butt to get functional that I think I'm going to make him play with it until he turns 18 - you know, to make sure we get the maximum value for our energy and time.

Comments

[Mom]

No. You managed to get a little more sleep!! Do not feel guilty about letting him go to sleep on your tummy. He is teethting. His gums hurt. He needs reassurance that his world is safe.

[Jan]

I think you are a wonderful mother for bringing your baby to bed with you. Do what YOU think is best, and don't listen to every else. Your gut will be correct 99% of the time!

Adorable pictures, by the way!