September 9, 2005
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Little Things
We’ve made some progress at our house in the past week. It might only sound like a little thing, but to us it is a breakthrough! Isaac has been sleeping in his own room and in his own bed for almost an entire week! Up until last Saturday night, Isaac almost always slept on the floor next to my side of the bed, or on the loveseat at the foot of my bed. Last Saturday Mark moved into the basement bedroom that Kyle vacated when he moved into his college apartment, leaving Isaac a room all to himself. We moved a Little Tykes desk that had been in storage for several years into Isaac’s “new” room, one that is just his size and has both an overhead light and a light in the desk surface (for tracing) and he could not have been more thrilled! Now every night at bedtime we read a story together, he spends a few minutes drawing at his desk, and then he picks out a tape or CD he wants to listen to, and he climbs into bed and quickly falls asleep — no fuss whatsoever! I guess he just needed his OWN space so he could go to sleep in his OWN special way. Mark is a reader, and he likes to read to himself before he goes to sleep. Isaac needs sound (the tape/CD) to fall asleep. The two styles in the same room were apparently incompatible. Now they are both happy and harmony reigns in our house. I never minded Isaac sleeping in my room, but I am glad he has finally decided to use his own room for a change. Another sign that he is growing up *sniff*. As much as I am proud and happy for him for taking this step, a part of me grieves this little step towards independance.
Speaking of independance…a friend of mine related a cute story to me yesterday. Her youngest daughter left for college a couple of weeks ago. Casey (the daughter) has been (according to her mother, Jackie) ready to move out and assert her independance practically since birth. Jackie called Casey a week or so after she had been at school, and although Casey was happy enough to talk to her Mom and fill her in on how school had been going (it was terrific), she asked her Mom, “Do we have to talk on the phone EVERY week?” So Jackie decided to back off a little bit and let Casey initiate the next contact. Yesterday morning, Jackie turned her cell phone on and found she had a text message waiting for her. It was from Casey. The message read, “I had forgotten how much work grapefruit is to eat. I remember now that I don’t have you to cut it for me. Love, Casey”
Life and love are so often all about the little things.
Comments (6)
Yeah, it’s those little steps that put big footsteps in our hearts. There’s no going back, that part is done, now we’ll move on to the next challenge.
That’s cute, about your friend’s daughter. I’m going through somewhat the same thing with DD being gone for the first time. We don’t talk every day, but we do email a couple times, both of us are computer junkies, and that’s fine for us.
RYC: Thanks, honey. Sometimes I just let my heart tell my fingers what to say.
I didn’t know you had a tenacious “sleep near Mommy” child. My six year old is like that too and we’re trying hard to get him to fall asleep in his own bed. I think it’s always hardest with the youngest child. Congratulations on Isaac’s independence!
I think they youngest one always has a special attachment to mom…. right? It’s not the other way, say it ain’t so!
I have always thought about the last time each of my daughters did a particular thing… the last time they used the sippy cup or their baby spoon or wore a diaper!! even as they grew.
The last time they needed major help with homework!
Blizzie slept in my room often. We had the crib mattress on the floor for her…
It is nice when they finally take their own room… even with the subtle enticements it takes a while. Those little ones will always be the baby.
Ah, the growing up and moving on….
Christina and I talk atleast three times per week but then we are close.
When Blizzie goes to college I will… have a hard time with that. I dont know if she will call me as often as Christina does. Blizzie and I are even closer, almost telepathic or something.
hummmmmm. Things to always think about.
Have a beautfiul week-end
What a cute story! Daughter goes back to school next Sunday. (sniff)
I agree – it is all in the little things.
I’m always sniffling at my babies growing up. Makes me want another- some times.