A Just Reward

 

In the good 'ole days (a mere few months ago), Munchkin and I had a great arrangement: she'd wake each morning about 7am, I'd nurse her, and we'd both go back to sleep. We didn't wake up again until 10am, in time to check out The View (hoping each day that Elisabeth Hasselback got another gig or got pregnant, and left the show - but, that's another story). This was a fair, considerate, and important deal; Munchkin needed her sleep to help produce her rapidly growing brain cells; and I needed my sleep to help save what few brain cells I have left.

 

Unfortunately, in recent weeks, Munchkin has reneged on her side of the deal, and has reminded me yet again who is really in charge. Sleeping until 10am is apparently a thing of the past (and I have a feeling I'm not getting too much sympathy from you). She evidently has things to do, regardless of how late her mom stayed up the night before to write some enlightening or amusing blog post for her readers.

 

This morning, Munchkin got up at 6am. Daddy had already gone to work, and because I was taking a little too long to drag myself up  (if only I could get to bed before 1am!), her crying woke her older sister up. I nursed Munchkin, put her back in her crib, climbed back into my bed, and hoped for a return of the good 'ole days. I hoped for 45 minutes. She was having none of it. And what follows is really the point of this post...

 

Her sister, who was also tired and has been sleeping in everyday of summer break so far, came into my room. She asked if she could get the baby, and somehow managed to hear me when I muttered yes. "I'll watch her until 8 o'clock, OK, mom?"  She then went into Munchkin's room, got some toys and books, closed the nursery door, and kept the baby occupied for over an hour so that mom could rest a little while longer.

 

Just the thought makes me feel all teary inside like a darn Hallmark commercial.

 

My other daughter just turned eight a couple of weeks ago. Munchkin is nine months old. I'll wait while you do the math...Yes, there's a significant age gap between my two kids, and I've heard lots of others' opinions about starting all over after so long, doing it all again, the advantages of having kids back to back. 

 

I keep saying, and was reminded again today, that I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

I was SO grateful for my daughter's help this morning, and each day, that I felt like I wanted to do something special for her, take her to Disneyland, reward her greatly. Instead, we went to get bagels, and I showed her how to do her own laundry (at HER request! In case you start looking up child labor laws). Fortunately for me, she's not only helpful but easy to please - I can still get away with rewarding her with a bagel or a Happy Meal.

 

Comments

[Lori-Ann]

Nina this is too sweet. Big sis is a darling and how wonderful for her to be able to bond with her sister like this. I have that warm happy tingly feeling I get when I think of my memories with my sisters :-)

*THANKS, LORI-ANN! I JUST HOPE IT LASTS AS THEY GET OLDER, LIKE WHEN THEY START SHARING CLOTHES...AND BOYS. LOL

[Emily]

My Jack is 5 months and my Maggie is 11. If it wasn't for Mag's help, I don't know what I'd do. Sleep when the older one is watching the baby isn't always the best sleep, I holler out, half-awake "is Jack ok?" and inevitably get back... "yes ma, go to sleep..". Anyway, I totally relate to your post, and I wish I could please my daughter with a bagel. :) You can see my little fella on my blog http://madmadamem.blogspot.com/

* Emily: He's scrumptious - love that photo with him in the frog robe! ;-) I sleep better knowing that they are in the baby-proofed nursery with the door closed! And it helps that the baby is a bit older, sitting up by herself, etc. Give it a few months, and see if you snore a little better.

[Melissa O.]

My oldest boy is 11 and my daughter is 9. My baby boy is 14 months. The kids used to always keep an eye on the baby for an hour or so here or there so I could get some sleep. Notice I said "used to". Now that the baby is 14 months he is quite the hanful and yesterday morning they watched him for 15 minutes before bringing him to me. Books and toys no longer peak his interest unless it's ripping books and throwing toys! It might be different for you because your baby is a girl. Boys have a destruction gene that girls luckily tend to be lacking. I hope it lasts longer for you than it has for me!

* "FROM YOUR LIPS TO GOD'S EARS," MELISSA! LOL. I HOPE IT LASTS UNTIL THEY ARE BOTH OUT ON THEIR OWN! HILARIOUS ABOUT RIPPING BOOKS AND THROWING TOYS. I THINK MY BABY MAY HAVE A LITTLE MORE TESTOSTERONE IN HER, B/C THAT SOUNDS FAMILIAR! ;-)

[Robin]

Great story! There are a bunch of us with big age gaps between our children. My son is 11 & my daughter is 3. 8 year age difference & as old & tired as I am I wouldn't have it any other way. My son is such a big help when need be. It's not in huge ways, but in the much needed smaller ways... reading a book to his sister, so that I can read email (ha), playing with his sister, helping her ride her bike. I enjoy it & embrace it. Plus people think I'm much younger since I have a three year old! If they only knew!!! LOL

* SO GLAD TO KNOW I'M IN GOOD COMPANY, ROBIN! LOL AND THAT'S NO JOKE ABOUT READING THE EMAIL - CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I'VE DONE THE SAME THING, YOU KNOW, THE IMPORTANT STUFF. ;-) NEXT TIME I'M SLEEPY AND WONDERING EXACTLY WHY WE DID THIS AGAIN, I'LL HAVE TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT PEOPLE THINKING YOU'RE YOUNGER. CLASSIC!

[Michelle]

Oh that is so wonderful! You've got a very special family... and yes, I vaguely remember those days of nursing and then sleeping until 10. But it's been five plus years since I had that. *sigh* Here's hoping more sleep comes your way soon!

* THANKS, MICHELLE! THEY GET A MUCH BETTER MOMMY WHEN I'VE GOTTEN MY ZZZ'S! ;-)

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