We were playing in your room when you pointed to the carpet and said, "geeeen. geeeen!" You found the spot of Gleeful Green Harmony Paint your Dad spilled when painting your nursery. So, I told you the story.
Mommy: "Yes! Green. Pointing to the nearby wall, "Green Paint. Some green paint spilled when Daddo painted your room."
Shadden: "Yeeeah. gGeen." Touching the wall.
Mommy: Face to face, "When you were a baby, Daddo painted your room Green for you! Daddo and Mommy wanted to make you happy. So, Daddo and Uncle Ryan painted your room Green. And your bathroom yellow!! See? Do you like it?"
Shadden: "Yeah! Yeah!!! Geeeeen. Ello....Baby Shadden" Smiling, "Daddo."
I went around showing you all the things we made when you were a baby to welcome you into our home. You were enthralled that Mommy and Daddy did things for you when you were a baby. I think you love and are a bit confused by the fact that you were a baby. I absent mindedly reminisced in our life two years ago. You enjoy stories of, "When you were a baby..." as much as Mommy does.
Sleep. I just couldn't ever let you cry yourself to sleep boxed up alone in the beautiful, comfy, crib we made for you. Not when you were 1-12months. And, not when you were 12-24months. One book, seared into me more than all the other advice and even the author of Baby Wise's admonition that my mothering was hindering your sleep. The Continuum Concept. If I could go back to those pregnancy days, I would tell myself to put down all the other books until I read The Continuum Concept first. Not sure what the effects of the ever shunned co-sleeping will be besides social scorn (and you sleeping with us until your 13!). These are the reasons we have continued co-sleeping from 12-24 months.
1. We enjoy it
2. You sleep for approximately 3 hours in the day and 11 hours at night
3. You have positive sleep associations
4. You are a healthy, thriving, kind, loving, and affectionate boy
5. Bonus: I hear all my wacky attachment parenting makes you less likely to become a serial killer!
When I was pregnant, I didn't know I would become a weirdo mom breastfeeding a two year old, co-sleeping, and contemplating unschooling. I admit to preparing with cloth diapers, chic baby wearing slings and nursing covers, mid wives, prenatal yoga, homebirth, homeopathic doctors, boycotting vaccines, and organic vegan fare...okay I'm sorry your Mom might be a full blood weirdo. But, we have your Dad! He bought a bugaboo for ridiculousness! We gave you a cherry wood crib and organic bedding and deluxe mattress...only to abandon it! Now, we are contemplating your college fund and researching schools trying to anticipate the unknown. Your Dad is talking to coworkers about homeschooling. Prebaby life notions mingling with present moment toddler on the brink of entering the fantastic two's...and the ever daunting beyond. Such a ride, baby boy, such a ride!
After bath, lotion, jammies, singing, reading, prayers, and nursing, you snuggle in to me. You pick up my arm and make sure I have it wrapped around you tight. You wedge your head into a Shadden cubby of my arm and chest. You twist your body and drape your leg across mine. You wiggle in your spot until your fingers stop twitching and you let go into dreamland.
I never ever have to work to get you to take a nap or go to bed. This always shocks me a little knowing your wild energetic personality and old babysitting memories. So when you say, "NighooOO," I appreciate it. Every time. Because we max out every minute of our day with fun and it is time to rest. And, because I can remember other little boys not saying or doing the same thing. Maybe it's because we co-sleep. Maybe it's because you're such a peach! But I am thankful for positive sleep associations.
The Future
Someday, when you pick a wife. She is going to have to be a family girl. I can't ever picture you with a career driven woman because you require so much attention! Not that she won't have her ambitions. Every person has a God given passion to pursue. But I think you'll have to have a life partner who has marriage deeply seeded into her soul. I picture part of your satisfied life being fulfilled by marriage that I just assume it will happen. I don't see it happening to you at a young age now! I'm not marrying you off so easily. In fact, it will probably be the opposite for me! Ahh! But, someday if you are married, I hope you will be a husband who inspires to make his wife smile and laugh and enjoy her days. And if she marries you, I can see that coming true.
But for now, my almost two year old...
When you enjoy something you're eating, you say, "MMMMmm!" and my favorite-nod your head in approval, "Yes! I like this very much!" You also point to your mouth to tell me with your lips closed that you are still chewing and have to wait to speak, eat, or drink until you're finished. Too cute!!!!
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