We’ve been in Charlotte, NC for the week visiting my in-laws for Thanksgiving. Since Harlan has made the transition to her toddler bed, I was a little worried when we visited family that she would have trouble sleeping.
Harlan has her own room at my in-laws and has typically slept in the crib when she’s here. My in-laws were so gracious to lower the full size bed in her room all the way down and add rails to each side so that Harlan could sleep in it. We’ve had a little transitioning to do in this big bed, but Harlan has done great so far.
Her bedtime routine has changed a bit from our normal routine as we have been able to get in this bed with her and lay with her to read her bedtime stories. Typically after her bedtime stories, we say her prayers and then leave the room. Since we’ve been laying with her in this big bed, she’s wanted us to cuddle with her for a couple minutes after saying our prayers before she falls asleep.
At first I was a little weary of this because I didn’t want her to expect us to lay and cuddle for a long time and fall asleep with her. The first time she asked for a cuddle I did it for about five minutes, kissed her goodnight and left. She cried for a little bit, but eventually got over it.
I was reluctant to do it again, but she suckered me in the next night and I laid with her for a couple minutes before leaving. She did the same and rolled over and went right to bed.
Over the next couple of days it quickly became part of our routine to cuddle with her before she went to sleep. She puts her arms around my neck and squeezes me as tight as we can and we just lay there.
One afternoon I was putting her down for a nap and we laid there cuddling. As she put her arm around my neck, she whispered to me, “so happy.” Wanting to make sure I knew what she said I asked her to repeat and she whispered the two little words again.
“So happy.”
Two words that made my heart flutter.
It was then that I knew no matter how the cuddling effects our bedtime routine when I get back to NYC, those two little words made everything worth it.
Because at that moment I knew that we were both truly happy.
16 comments
Cam
It is all SOOO worth it, right? oh, that makes me so happy! I know the feeling. My son will stop playing with his toys and walk into the room where we are and say “I happy”. Cue my heart melting!
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Lauren
SO worth it! I love it when they can tell us how they feel, especially their happiness!
Shell
Aw, those cuddles make it worth it!
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Lauren
Love the cuddles from her! Best feeling in the world!
DaDa Rocks
Twitter: dadarocks
Ahhh these precious little moments of our toddlers growing up
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Lauren
Incredible isn’t it?
Yakini
Oh my gosh, that is the sweetest thing. I almost teared up reading this after she whispered “So Happy.”
I love this brief little routine that kind of accidentally happened because it’s something that can continue to happen even once the baby comes and Harlan is feeling a tiny bit left out – she’ll still have those few minutes of one-on-one cuddle time with mommy all to herself.
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Lauren
You are so right. I’ve never thought of it that way, but it is definitely something I hope to cherish with her even after the baby!
Nell
Oh, Lauren…Brought tears to my eyes. What a precious time!
Lauren
One of the best moments with her!
Michelle
Twitter: queentob
Lauren, I am welled up reading this! Harlan is such a sweetheart. Those little cuddles that made you wary, made her feel so secure and happy, I love this…what a reminder to us all.
When big b was just over 2.5 he asked me to rock him in the rocking chair and sing to him Before his nap.
He had been going to bed with just a story since birth! But I obliged, also wondering if this now would be a daily request. But I distinctly remember the feeling I had and the snuggle time we shared, and promised to hold on to it as long as I could. I was lucky enough to have a glimpse into the future (RARE) when he would not even want to hold my hand! he will still ask on a rare occasion and he is 3.5….
Enjoy it while it lasts….
Candace (NYStateofMom)
Twitter: NYStateofMom
This was so special! I love when they can tell you you’re doing a good job as a mom in their little phrases. Great post it made me smile 🙂
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Alicia @MommyDelicious
Twitter: MommyDelicious
Hearing Harlan say those two little words is so precious and priceless and what it’s all about. So sweet!
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erica
I could have written this pot myself a few months ago! I was so afraid of getting into a bad habit of laying with B until she fell asleep… but then I said, you know what? Who cares???
I love laying in bed with her as she gets sleepy. I usually lay in bed with her for about 5-10 mins, then tell her I am going to leave – and that is mostly because I am afraid I will fall asleep in her bed too! She usually asks me to stay, and I assure her I will check in on her before I go to sleep.
Cherish these moments! Screw the baby/toddler books!
Laura
Twitter: meuninterrupted
Such a precious little girl! Sometimes even though we know that things like cuddling in bed could cause bad habits…they are such precious moments that they are worth it in the end.
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Serena @ MamaGoesNatural
Twitter: MamaGoesNatural
How precious – those moments are truly incredible.
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