Up 'til now we have not put our kids in big beds. Yes, that means our 3 year-old have been in cribs (and loving it) until recently. I am not ashamed. It seemed like they always did better that way and with the impending move, we were putting it off. Until recently... James (who hardly sleeps now) has been waking Rachel (who needs lots of beauty rest) up too often. The result is a cranky little girl. In fact, several mornings this week we were hearing (at about 6:15 am), "Rachel, WAKE UP!" Her grumpy responce is, "GO AWAY JAMES! I'm SLEEPING!" We finally decided to split the twins up at least when it comes to bedtime.
So, Rachel was getting to take naps in our spare bedroom. She was very excited and ready to sleep in her big, "special" (her favorite descriptive word) bed. The naps were going so well, that on Sunday night we decided to put Rachel in the separate room for the whole night. They were both very tired from staying up late with guests, so they went right to sleep. You know as a parent, every once-in-a-while everything seems to work out and a brief moment of harmony is achieved? I thought this was it. I was WRONG!
The first night, Wyatt and were just settling down to sleep and Rachel started screaming. I thought that she had woken up scared from being in a new place. I wish. Instead, she was vomiting all over her new, big girl bed. The same bed that I foolishly still had made up for guest with 3 quilts and countless pillows. Yuck! It was a huge mess. After cleaning her up, she went back to sleep in her crib. Strike one!
Last night (#2), we put them down in their separate rooms. Again, Rachel was so happy to snuggle in her new, bed. James was feeling a little left behind and cried for a few minutes before falling asleep. A little later, we went to sleep as usual. 4:11 am- James is screaming. "Oh no, now he is puking," I thought as I rushed to him in my just woken-up-out-of-a-dead-sleep delirium. Rushing into the room, looking for another huge mess, I rush past James and to his crib. All clean. Huh? I turn to James, no puke. And then I start to listen to him, "I want MY Rachel!" he is screaming frantically. You woke me up for that? Still screaming, I try to put him back into his crib and explain about Rachel sleeping in her big bed. By then Rachel hears all this and comes in saying, "it's OK James, I'm sleeping in my special bed." She helps tuck him in and kiss him goodnight again and then runs back to her big bed and falls back to sleep. Strike two! What will tonight bring?
I am amazed however at their beautiful bond. James loves and depends on his sister so much. Rachel knows just how to reassure and calm him. Throughout each day, often there is more fighting between them than not. Moments like this make me realize that they are building a sweet, genuine bond despite it all. They have history.
So, Rachel was getting to take naps in our spare bedroom. She was very excited and ready to sleep in her big, "special" (her favorite descriptive word) bed. The naps were going so well, that on Sunday night we decided to put Rachel in the separate room for the whole night. They were both very tired from staying up late with guests, so they went right to sleep. You know as a parent, every once-in-a-while everything seems to work out and a brief moment of harmony is achieved? I thought this was it. I was WRONG!
The first night, Wyatt and were just settling down to sleep and Rachel started screaming. I thought that she had woken up scared from being in a new place. I wish. Instead, she was vomiting all over her new, big girl bed. The same bed that I foolishly still had made up for guest with 3 quilts and countless pillows. Yuck! It was a huge mess. After cleaning her up, she went back to sleep in her crib. Strike one!
Last night (#2), we put them down in their separate rooms. Again, Rachel was so happy to snuggle in her new, bed. James was feeling a little left behind and cried for a few minutes before falling asleep. A little later, we went to sleep as usual. 4:11 am- James is screaming. "Oh no, now he is puking," I thought as I rushed to him in my just woken-up-out-of-a-dead-sleep delirium. Rushing into the room, looking for another huge mess, I rush past James and to his crib. All clean. Huh? I turn to James, no puke. And then I start to listen to him, "I want MY Rachel!" he is screaming frantically. You woke me up for that? Still screaming, I try to put him back into his crib and explain about Rachel sleeping in her big bed. By then Rachel hears all this and comes in saying, "it's OK James, I'm sleeping in my special bed." She helps tuck him in and kiss him goodnight again and then runs back to her big bed and falls back to sleep. Strike two! What will tonight bring?
I am amazed however at their beautiful bond. James loves and depends on his sister so much. Rachel knows just how to reassure and calm him. Throughout each day, often there is more fighting between them than not. Moments like this make me realize that they are building a sweet, genuine bond despite it all. They have history.
5 comments:
Oh my gosh, Ruth! That story is so precious! Thanks for sharing.
that is ADORABLE.
Rachel is such a sweet little girl. I hope tonight goes better for you.
Oh, I think that is soo cute. It seems as though Rachel already shows that motherly instinct. Hey by the way, I'd be happy to take that second crib off your hands so you don't have to move it...I'd like to just pass it along to the next person who may need it...if you really are done with it that is! Glad it worked out great!
What a sweet story! Don't you love the bond of twins?? It is so special and fun to witness through the years!
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