houpley

Oh, hey Jackie. Are you asleep? Yes. Were you dreaming? Yes. What were you dreaming about? Excavators.

Jackson is enamored with Toy Story 3. He has never seen the other movies but close friends of ours (Niki and Tim) gave him the movie and he has watched it over and over. While I love the overall message and the endearing characters, I'm not thrilled with the name calling. But who doesn't love Toy Story? I swear, I cry every time we watch it. I also love the fact that Jackson has a Woody cowboy (also from Niki and Tim) and a Buzz Lightyear (garage-sale find) that he pals around with. The other night, while tucking Jackson in for bed I picked up Woody and tucked him under my arm to put away. Jackson was most concerned. "Mama! Woody does not like being in your armpit!" -

Me: Ohmygoddidyouhearthat!?! Something is vomiting! Eric: ....snore.... Me: The dog! The dog must be throwing up! Eric: ....snore.... Me: (after seeing the dog sound asleep at the foot of the bed) Wait. Oh no. He's fine. Eric: .... snore .... Me: Oh no, it must have been Jack! (I fling on my robe and dash into the hall to check) Eric: .... snore ....He's fine. Me: Hmmmm, you're right. He is fine. I crawl back into bed. Me: I guess maybe we're being robbed and one of them was throwing up. Eric: ....Hopefully...

We had finished our book, turned off the lights, pulled the quilt up to his chin. I snuggled in beside him for our nightly bedtime discussion and to deliver a few kisses. Sometimes it's a game where I say something like, "ok, now I need to get some of that forehead" and then plant a kiss and then "better get a bit of that cheek" or "the chin" etc. After a bit Jackson takes my face in his hands and ask to take a look at my teeth. "Better kiss your teeth, mama." "No! Don't kiss my teeth!" He giggles but continues to investigate my teeth. He finally looks up and declares, "Mama, we need to trim those teeth."

Every night after putting Jackson to bed, Eric and I are always amazed at the odd noises that drift from under the nursery door and into the hallway. There is always whispering, tapping, singing, reading, some thumping and occasional raucous laughter. Last night, it was as though some great engineering project was underway. "It always sounds like there's a science project going on in there," Eric noted after putting his ear to the door. As long as Jackson is in bed and keeping things somewhat quiet, we don't mind what projects he's taking on, because eventually they all lead to sleep. However, on one particular night there was a lot of whispered discussion going on, some scuffling and some excessive rattling. Finally, we both got up and poked our heads in expecting to find a miniature volcano replication in the middle of the room or multiple lab tests being conducted on Elmo. Instead, there was Jackson in bed pulling a pair of Eric's smelly socks on and up pas...

Ok, Jack. It's just about night-night time. Are you ready to go to bed? Nope. Not yet. But I will be. In a minute.

Night-night, party of five? Each night Jax goes to sleep with all of his "friends." This particular evening consisted of: the multi-tasking Lencho the Lion (from Emmy that converts to a pillow or blanket) Elmo (he is the irreplaceable constant) Jackson (the cruise director) Cookie Monster (the chatter-box from Sylvie) Lumpy (she's Winnie-the-Pooh's pal from Omi that has been in his crib from day one) Some nights we switch out a few companions and add Baby Doll (a Tennessee cheerleader from Sylvie) or Teddy Bear and Hillsboro the dog (both from Aunty Debbie). Does this kid ever get any sleep? Who were the must haves in your "night" life?

Jackson has always been a good sleeper. At exactly 6 weeks he slept through the night. I remember it in vivid detail. We were visiting family at Petit Jean Mountain Resort during Labor Day weekend. Eric and I woke at 5:30 a.m. and silently shrieked that we had just enjoyed a good night's sleep. However, as everyone knows when the kid is sick, all bets are off. All previous behavior is moot. Last night, Jackson woke at 2 a.m. with a terrible ear ache. After rounds of pain relievers and comfort, it always ends with everyone in the same bed. Which means on my left I get to hear Eric softly snore the night away, while on my right Jackson steals every inch of my pillow. The only other one awake is the dog, who stares at me in the dark wondering if I might be interested in preparing him a 3 a.m. snack. He's game. Eventually everyone passes out and all is much better in the morning light. However, and I'm thinking most parents will agree here? The sleep cycle is ruined. Once they...

My mother will tell you and I'll admit it. I was the Champion Staller when it came to stretching out bedtime routines. Aren't most children? One more glass of water. One more song. One more snack. One more story. One more potty break. One more conversation. Wait! I just need to tell you one more thing... I was the master. Well, it seems my trait has been passed on. Jackson has taken my crown. He is the Stalling King. The worst part is that he does it all in the sweetest most loving way. Like a true master, his requests tug right on your heart strings. Wait! Big kiss, mama. Ok. A sloppy kiss! Ok. Hug! Ok. I need a high five! Ok. One more song, mama. Ok. Wait! Love you, mama. I need a hug from daddy. Can you go get him? I'll wait right here for him. Ok. Daddy! I need a song. Ok. You tired, mama? Yes. Me too. Ok. Be quiet, mama. We don't want to wake up daddy. Ok. I need to go potty, mama. Ok. Don't turn the water on too loud, it will wake up daddy. Ok. One more hug? O...