Napping

We want the kids to nap, but, maybe more than that, we want to nap. It has been a long four months. After having a child who quickly, 10 weeks, learned the art of sleeping through the night, to have one who continues to wake up two to four, and sometimes more, times a night, we are having a difficult time, to say the least. Mommy has the worst of it since she breast feeds him and that means that she has to wake up more than Daddy. In addition, Mommy wants to make sure that Daddy is rested for his internship, and, therefore, often will not wake him so that he can gain those precious hours of snooze.

The night after Asher didn't sleep at all was particularly difficult. I know. How is it possible that Asher didn't sleep at all, you ask. But he didn't. He would cry, on and off, for about five minutes, then stop, then start crying again, all through the night. Not enough to go in, but not enough to allow Mommy to sleep. Ok, ok. So, if there is a crying baby in the next room, apparently Daddy continues to sleep. Makes you wonder what would occur with Daddy if there was a fire, or a bear in the room.

But this isn't about Daddy. It's about Mommy.

Daddy was at the internship. Mommy had just put Asher down for a nap and had a few invaluable moments with Tahlia. Those moments that have washed away with the wave of a second child. Those moments that are unforgettable. Those moments that are like a dream. Well, at this moment, they actually were a dream because, while lying on the floor playing with the Fisher Price Alphabet Zoo animals, Mommy fell asleep.

She doesn't remember the dream, but she does remember waking up with Tahlia's cheek pressed snug against hers while Tahlia said, "I love you, Mommy."

The great story, of course, would be if Tahlia was repeating this phrase. There is no proof of this. In the retelling, I pressed Mommy to admit that Tahlia repeatedly said, I love you, Mommy, as Mommy dozed. Unfortunately, there is no evidence. There was no rolling camera. There was no supervision and therefore, no proof. But, in my head, I like the image and therefore will keep it of Tahlia repeating the phrase over and over as her Mommy, her caregiver sleeps contentedly on the floor.

"Oh, Tahlia, "Mommy quickly stated. "I'm sorry," she said as she began to sit up.

But, Tahlia, stopped her. I like to think that Tahlia understood the seriousness of the situation. I like to think that Tahlia realized that if Mommy fell asleep, it must have been because of the depravity this woman was feeling. But, most likely, it was because Tahlia felt as though it was a game and wanted to continue it.

"No, no Mommy." Tahlia said earnestly. "Mommy take a nap. Tahlia read her a book," and then pushed Mommy back towards the floor.

"Oh, you want Mommy to take a nap?" She asked, as she laid back down on the floor.

Tahlia, feeling pleased with herself, marched over to the book shelf to find a book.

We wonder, if Asher hadn't woke, if Daddy would have returned from his job to find Mommy sleeping on the floor with a vigilant daughter watching over her Mommy, who just needed a nap. Or, if they would have been curled together, because, after all, everyone needs a nap.