Slumber Party!

It just worked out better for me to let you sleep. You looked so comfy snoozing away in Nana's playpen so the decision was made. Daddy was working nights, and it was too late at night, so I would stay with you there so you had a good nights rest. Those have been far between since the Teething Monster has been visiting. (And I call it that instead of what I want to call it, since considering this is a book to you, I'm keeping that in mind)

I sat up with Nana and Nono, reading a magazine, as they sat watching the nightly news. We talked about you and the fun that they had with you. We talked about me going back to work soon (sniff sniff) and we talked about Nono's birthday coming up. Reading this, it must sound so boring, but what I haven't mentioned was this was the first time I was spending the night at 'home' since Daddy and I got married.

Nana gave me a pair of her pj's (yikes!) and she gave you a bottle as I lay in my old bed. We talked about how much you've grown, and how crazy it is how quickly life changes.

After Nana put you back down in your play pen, she tucked me in and left the room saying "Sona con los angelitos". That's right, at 29 years old this woman who I have come to admire after all these years, still tucked her daughter in for the night as if she just did it yesterday.

I layed in my old bed, surrounded by memories. The pictures frames of highschool days; the degrees and diplomas hanging on the wall (I'm going to paying for those pieces of paper until I'm old and grey); the coo-coo clock on the wall from my weekend in Germany (remind me to tell you about Baden-Baden, but only when you're old enough); the photos of the Greek Isles that I framed to remind me that I needed to travel there one day (and I promise I will); the piles and piles of VHS movies that I used to watch after my night shifts at a hotel or when I just needed a good chick flick for a good cry; and the bookshelf full of novels that I read everynight before going to sleep.

As I lay there, looking around at the smallest objects that meant nothing to a stranger but a million memories to me, I came across my old bulletin board with pictures of daddy and I from when we first started dating. And it all hit me... this is where I drifted off to sleep every night. This is where I would drift off to dream land, dreaming and wishing for a future EXACTLY as I have right now. What I've always wanted most in life was a family to love and as I was thinking all this, I peeked over the bed, and there you were, breathing softly, and I'm sure dreaming wonderful dreams.

I lay back in bed, taking out the novel that I brought with me from 'our home' and started to read... just as I did for many years before...

At 7am, you decided it was play time and I decided it wasn't... ha! We cuddled in mommy's old bed, as I sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to you, and we both drifted off to sleep together... at some point, I heard Nono peeking into my room, to make sure that we were okay, just like he always did. An hour later, we both woke up to Nana trying to take a picture of us (of course she couldn't figure out how to work the camera and snapped open the shades because there wasn't enough light... like THAT wasn't going to wake us up! Ha!).

We all ate breakfast together including you. And talked about what the day was going to bring, just like we used to. When it was time for your morning nap, we headed home to daddy so we could all snuggle in bed together. Before I left, Nana and Nono made sure to tell me that my bed is always there waiting for me, and deep down I know they loved their night, just as much as I did.

It was a great night, and a great morning, and it made me think about where I've come from, where I've been, and how happy I am to be where I am now. As for what our future brings...my dream and wish for you is that as you grow up and and as you move on, no matter where life takes you, no matter where you find yourself, you will always know that mommy wants you to come home so I can tuck you in for one more night too, just like I always have...

Sona con los angelitos Solana