So I know that in some guide on parenting there must be a section on the rights and wrongs of your child's sleeping habits. I remember being able to talk and clean in Braydens room while he was sleeping then slowly I got quieter and now I look like a spy tip toeing through his room. I remember him falling asleep more in his carseat than in his crib and the stuffed animal and noise machine he got to liking. I'm sure parenting "experts" would have a field day with me.So after my parents Christmas party the other night when we all (Ryan, Brayden, Caleb, myself and the dogs) were staying in one room at my parents, I knew it might be interesting.
Brayden woke up around 2am when Ryan and I were trying to sneak around assembling a bed and started chatting with us like he was figuring out why we were in HIS room. I calmed him down and put him back to bed, when I thought he was sleeping I tip toed over to just check on him and cover him with blanket. His eyes were wide open and I swear I almost peed my pants scared. (Why are children so much scarier than adults in the dark) I slowly tip toed backwards to my sleeping area, as I did that Caleb started crying...which of course made Brayden more curious. I whispered to Brayden, don't worry, go back to bed with Bunny. I fed Caleb and then looked at his bassinet and his carseat. SCREW IT!! In the car seat he went, I swung it a little bit and asleep Caleb fell.
Just to give some perspective, Brayden usually wakes up around 6:30 and Caleb sleeps 2-3 hours at time.
In the morning, my eyes started to come unglued when I heard Brayden's little voice chatting with his Bunny. To my surprise I felt rested...too rested. It was 7:30am!! How did Brayden sleep with us in the room the whole time. More importantly, how was Caleb still sleeping. Like any sane mom I put my face abnormally close to Calebs to make sure he was breathing. Phew...He was...he was actually snoring...so cute.
I swear I almost started crying with happiness. I thought this night had chances of going terribly and it ended up being a night I got the most sleep I had gotten in almost two months and a night where Brayden really taught me a lesson. It was to give us all a little more credit. All Brayden needed was a chance to show us he could do it and sleep in the same room as us. Maybe we are more resilient than I knew. Sure our parenting style may be a little unconventional at times and I don't follow all the advice out there...but tell that to someone who didn't just get more than 5 hours of sleep with a 2 month old and a 1 and a half year old! Take that "experts"!
