nighttime warrior

so, i learned my lesson early on in mommyhood: not everything good about your child is from your amazing parenting, tiffany.

mylie, our first, is the most amazing sleeper. at 8 weeks, she started sleeping through the night and never looked back. she quickly became a "college sleeper" (12-13 hours a day with a couple hour nap). even at 5 years old, she often still takes a nap. and, she doesn't like anyone to disturb her precious sleep.

so...i was patting myself on the back pretty early. at least i got something right! i know how to help my baby have the PERFECT sleep schedule.

haha. God, in his mercy, allowed me to be knocked off my high horse with my sweet second. it felt like he never slept. he would be awake for hours at night crying. colic, i told myself. that is what is keeping him awake. give him a few more months & he'll be sleeping like his sister.

so a few months went by. and a few more months. and a few more. and, a year. and, another year.

charles & i have rocked that sweet boy for hours. we have let him cry it out. we have slept with him for hours. we have napped with him. sang to him all during nap. prayed for him. sought advice. given snacks.

he shows up at our bedside at night. he cries out. he wants us to sleep with him. and, the list goes on.

so you see, i got knocked off my horse. hard. now, he is 3 1/2 yr old. he is as precious as can be, & we just moved his little brother in his room to prepare for our teeny-tiny-in-the-belly.

in the last week, he has only woken up one time. that is the first that has ever happened.

i am internally doing the hallelujah dance! he did keep telling us that he was lonely & just wanted a friend in his room. i guess he did.

the funniest thing though is what he does now before he goes to sleep. and, these things just make me laugh. (not in the moment, mind you.)

in our family, we have a rule: you can't get out of your bed (unless you need to potty or you have an emergency).

last week charlie came out of his room and was really frustrated: "MOOM!! i keep trying to wrap my blanket around me like a cape, use my golf club as a sword, and get my easter bucket on my head for my helmet! AND ITS NOT WORKING!!!" he was genuinely frustrated. so i was calm: "honey, why are you trying to do that? especially since you are supposed to be in your bed sleeping."

"BECAUSE! i need to do work like you and daddy do when we are asleep!" i assured him that we didn't do work like that & ushered him back to bed & kissed him.

two nights ago i heard crazy noises coming from the boys room. zeke was asleep, i was pretty sure. so i sent charles back to check. charlie had 2 lights on & had his toys out playing away. what is he thinking?? no way to know...

and, again tonight: i heard him building with his favorite trio blocks. charles went in again & both lights were on. zeke was sleeping away.

we have gone in & he has been doing somersaults across his bed. there is banging on the walls & he tells us he is practicing writing his ABC's with his feet. also, two days ago we went in and he was doing a face forward trust fall onto his bed from his rails (without bending his body or protecting his face at all) over & over again.

all of these things are so crazy & so endearing. he is an amazingly strong little boy that almost cannot be stopped.

God has good things in store for him. for now, we help form him.

but now & always: warrior on, little boy, warrior on!