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solsc: the first night 2/31


March Slice of Life Story Challenge 
hosted at the Two Writing Teachers
Join us for a month of writing!

"Besides the day we left the hospital with the girls, I've never been so scared in my life," my hubby whispered to me as we watched our twin not-quite-three year old daughters explore their new "big" beds.

In and out.  Up and down.  Pure joy of being a "big" girl.  And freedom.

We had no idea what this first night would bring.

Our bedtime routine, well, was a bit out of control.  Some how these two cute little angels were able to extend their bedtime by adding one thing and then another.  You are my sunshine song.  Rub my back.  Lotion.  Rock-a-bye-baby.  Just one more kiss.

This routine from start-to-finish took an hour.

Tonight, the routine was changing.  Big beds came with many changes.  We prepped the girls.  We talked with them.  We warned them that it would be different.

There was no delay downstairs when we started the routine.  We brushed our teeth and tinkled on the potty.  PJs were on and zipped up in record time.  The girls chose two stuffed animals and handmade baby from Grandma to take upstairs with them to bed.  They were very excited as this was new as well.

(Of course, there was a reason for this addition. A new rule too: "If you decide to get out of your bed, Momma or Daddy will have to take a stuffed animal away."  As I write that, it sounds harsh!  However, I have high hopes it will keep them safe in bed without too much wandering. . . )  

Up the stairs we went.  We said our prayers and before we could even finish with an "amen" --

"Can I get in my big bed now?"

Daddy and I looked at each other in surprise.  The girls climbed in their beds and snuggled under the new pink butterfly blanket.  

Kisses.  Hugs.  Sweet dreams.  Sleep tight.  Love you to the moon and back and see you in the morning.

Lights off.  Door closed.

I stared at my hubby in the hallway outside their room wondering how it could possibly be that easy.

But it was.  They slept all night -- and so did we.





Comments

  1. Congrats! I wish you many nights of smooth sailing at bedtime. :)

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  2. The pure excitement you ALL felt about this BIG achievement must have worn them out!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. So glad that it went well - hopefully naps will be as successful. Change, for them, is something exciting and challenging. Why is it that as we get older, change is so difficult for us. We need to look at change through a child's eye and accept those challenges of change. Grandpa says that he knew that it would all work out. Now on to the potty training - think positive - it too will be easy! Love ya M & D

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  4. Aww they are so cute!!! I just love the stories. They really are becoming "big" girls...where does the time go? Glad you had a restful sleep as well ;-)

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  5. yeah Mamma!!! I was so excited to find your post and read it today to see what was happening next and how things were going. Good one--one coming up with the Stuffed animal idea. My 2 year old does the same "extending" bedtime routine too.....need a drink....gotta go potty...rub my back? Glad to hear I am not the only one.

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  6. Congratulations-you must have said the right words, prepped at the right time, at least for now. You did say earlier that they were good sleepers, so that's in your favor for sure. Great to hear your news!

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  7. Awesome.

    May all the other transitions in life be this smooth!
    Ruth

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  8. I love this slice, but I have to tell you, both of my daughters slept so much better once they went to their "big girl" beds. I hope each night continues to go so well.
    I'm also struck by how each of us wrote our first posts about motherhood, though at very opposite ends of the spectrum. :)

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  9. That's great to hear that you all slept well through the night! Thanks for sharing this special moment with us.
    --jee young

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  10. Wow! Can't believe it went this smoothly! I was all ready for another "tinkling on the floor" story. Such sweet memories!

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  11. What a great idea! Where were you 18 years ago. So excited for this month of writing. I love your twin stories.
    Tammy

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  12. A promising start. I hope that the beds are big enough for you to crawl in sometimes.

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  13. A happy night for all! (and many more to come, fingers crossed)
    How quickly they grow up!

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  14. Here's to many other great nights! I loved your explanation of how the bed time routine can be. I was thinking about how any extension could easily be extended double with both girls encouraging each other to think that they both really need just one more thing (again and again). I am glad that last night went smoothly!

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  15. Awesome, Michelle. I love when you write about your girls...I always feel like I am right there with you. You have such a way with words. Hope all your nights are as easy as this!

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  16. I held my breath and then I smiled.

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  17. I've had this scary moment three times already and I am FAR more scared about number four making this transition than all the rest. Congrats on the success of last night and I hope it continues just as smoothly for many nights to come!

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  18. Sounds like the perfect new bedtime routine. I hope that it continues to run so smoothly. I love your stuffed animal rule. I may have to try that one out with our new one.

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  19. Oh...the transition to big beds is HUGE. I hope all of these transitions go so smoothly because there are lots to come. Enjoy!!

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  20. The short staccato sentences towards the end really made me feel the ease you two must have experienced when things went so smoothly. What a blessing! A well - deserved blessing!

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  21. That is a big transition...and it went so well! Hooray for all!

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