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{The Ordinary Moments} #16 - The bedtime hour

5/18/2014

19 Comments

 
We tell M-Little it’s time for bed - he’s rubbing his eyes, pulling his ear, doing his Round of Things He Mustn’t Touch. The bin, M-Big's computer, the loo, the tubes of the washing machine. Please don't touch my sweet. It’s time for nappy and pyjamas.

So begins the last Nappy Battle of the day. Daddy reads a book, M-Little has half an eye on that, half an eye on the blur of cloth and velcro threatening between his legs. He hops, he wriggles, he squirms, he tugs. I grit my teeth, try not to lose my patience. Push his tiny hands away for the hundredth time. Finally get the nappy on, the wrap on, the t-shirt over the head. Ok fine we’ll put your bottoms later, you infuriating wriggle-bean.
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It’s really time for bed now, say night night to Daddy. Cuddle, kiss. Would you like a bit more milk? Yes, yes, always yes. Close in my arms, dummy never out of reach, hang on where’s the other dummy? Oh yes, it’s here, he wants that one too, gulp gulp gulps down the milk. Then hands me the bottle with a flourish, though not before giving it a good shake to check whether there’s any more.

And so begins the Marathon of the Fidgets. Into bed, out of bed, into bed, pull the cord of the musical toy, out of bed, pull open a drawer, smack it shut, check where Mama is, Oh No! dropped a dummy, back into bed, out of bed, sing a ditty, pull the cord again. I lie on the mattress on the floor and wait.

It’s really time to sleep now my sweet, come and lie down. Here’s your dummy, here’s the other, here’s your blanket. He climbs into bed, pats his pillow, I squeeze in next to him.

As so begins the Most Lovely Moment. He plays with his dummy, twirls my hair, sits up and considers a final lap around the room. Then thinks oh, I’m quite tired actually. Comes in for a headbutt-kiss, squishes up close to me. Breathing slows, deepens. Plays with a dummy, sucks on another, strokes and pats my hand. Drifts off, starts, are you still there Mama? I’m here, my sweet.

The dishes, the toys scattered everywhere, the sentences in my head, they can all wait. Come lie close, never mind if someone thinks I spoil you. One day you will no longer be there to soothe and cuddle to sleep. But I’ll always be here, my sweet. 

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19 Comments
mylittledreamworld1 link
5/18/2014 03:26:03 am

This is a truly beautiful post. I love the descriptions of the nappy wars, and of the 'ordinary' bedtime routine, so like ours but at the same time completely different.
Cherish it all.
Going to follow you now, I haven't seen your blog before but love the way you've written this post xx

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 03:57:25 am

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Great to know you like the blog too, hope you come back soon x

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Not A Frumpy Mum link
5/18/2014 03:35:25 am

What a lovely post. I think the same way as you. One day my little boy won't want mummy cuddles, those snuggly times on the couch when he's coming round from a nap so I plan to make the very best of these moments whilst I can! xx

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 03:59:44 am

I know. He will learn to fall asleep by himself when he's ready, and until then I am happy to provide as many cuddles as humanly possible. Thanks for commenting x

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Seychellesmama link
5/18/2014 10:34:33 am

This is all kinds of lovely!! Such a nice post. Bed time is the loveliest isn't it!? Xx

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 04:04:55 am

Thank you my dear! I do like M's bedtime (though it's always hard not to fall asleep myself!) x

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Katie @mummydaddyme link
5/18/2014 02:35:47 pm

Ah what a beautifully written post and a lovely insight into your bedtime routine. It is my favourite part of the day at our house too, I love how affectionate my girls are and how all the stresses or problems of the day are forgotten as we all cuddle together x

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 04:06:28 am

Thanks for your lovely comment Katie. It is so relaxing isn't it, the fact that everything else can just wait for a while. x

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Carie link
5/18/2014 04:51:41 pm

Oh that's so lovely; definitely a moment to treasure - I remember when Kitty was still little enough to want that closeness as she drifted off to sleep, especially the fingers twirled through my hair and now all of a sudden she's a big girl who just snuggles down with a kiss!

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 04:21:52 am

Yeah... At the moment M is still very dependent on us but I know the day will come when he runs off by himself at the park, trots off to school without a second glance, finds the cuddles babyish. It needs to happen, but not too soon please!

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Ritz link
5/19/2014 02:30:43 am

Glad I found you through ordinary moments...i love this post as nap time/bed time wars are the worst for me too, but you are right there will be a time they won't need us to put them to bed and i am going to make the most of this time! xx

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 06:02:29 am

Bedtime used to be a bit of a battle for us too. For months he was able to fall asleep by himself with no crying or fuss, and then suddenly that all went out of the window! After a few weeks of everyone getting upset we decided to just roll with it and give him the cuddles and reassurance he needs. It's so lovely now, to the point that Mr P&P fight over who gets to put him to bed! And I'm sure one day he will go back to falling asleep on his own again.

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Jenny link
5/19/2014 08:50:49 am

What a beautiful beautiful post. Good for you for stealing those cuddles and love as much as you can at this age. LIke you said it will soon be over and you won't be able to do it. Lovely lovely words here hunny. So cute. #ordinarymoments

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 06:05:26 am

Aw, thank you Jenny! I used to worry about whether I needed to teach him to fall asleep on his own or not (he did at one point), but now I know it's okay. He'll learn when he's ready, and I'm enjoying the cuddles while they last.

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Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) link
5/19/2014 04:03:25 pm

Aww funny how this scene is familiar. It is the same in our household. The kids would be perky few seconds before sleeping time and would suddenly realized he is tired. Along with the tiredness is also the sweetness. Son giving more kisses & cuddles. In addition to him waking up, him going to sleep is my part of our daily routine. #ordinarymoments

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 06:07:41 am

Yes, that funny moment when they try so hard to convince you they're not tired! Didn't think that would start until he was 2 or 3, but he's been doing it for ages. I love that moment when he calms down, turns inwards.

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Sarah link
5/19/2014 04:33:13 pm

This is so lovely! I know all about that nappy battle - we have it every night too. And then Toby bumps around his cot for a while before finally settling to sleep - I dread to think what he'll be like when he can get out and move around the room!

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
5/22/2014 06:14:32 am

I used to worry about the day he could walk around the room too, but we've actually ended up encouraging it. After months of being fine about going to sleep in the cot, he suddenly started hating it and only wanting to sleep in our bed. So we took down one side, as you can see in the photo.

He doesn't wander about much at all - he knows it's bedtime. He just needs someone there for company while he settles. In the morning he gets out and comes over to our bed for a cuddle and milk. It's working our really well, so far.

No solution to the nappy battle though, unfortunately!!

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Karen @Talesofatwinmum link
3/5/2015 01:59:56 am

What a lovely post - it's one I can totally relate to. Beautifully written. Xx

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