Mission: Sleeping Babies... Night 236

12:32am, Night 236

Baby-waking sounds heard through baby monitor

Jump out of bed and slip into dark kids’ room all stealthily like a cat

Hover over stirring baby, checking to see whether eyes are open or closed

Eyes: closed, but time is limited

Locate pacifier lodged under baby’s neck, and attempt to retrieve without further waking baby

Success

Re-insert pacifier and gently-but-quickly roll baby on side to better facilitate sleep

Hands in the air (woo!)

Slowly back out of room

...

Halfway to the door, 28-year old ankle snap-crackle-pops, echoing like a gunshot in the tiny bedroom

(Crap)

Baby flings arms and opens eyes wide

...

FREEZE

...

If you do not move, it cannot see you

...

Do not breathe either

...

Baby relaxes, takes a deep breath, and falls asleep effortlessly

FLOAT out of room

Snuggle back down in a now-cold bed

Begin to drift off, dreaming of Christian Bale rescuing you from...

"Mommy?"

...

"Mommy? I want to hold you."

Open one squinty eye and see pitiful-looking 3 year-old, toting blankie and care bear, standing shivery at the edge of the bed


*sigh* at least she’ll help keep the bed warm?




(Some pics at Flickr too.)