6.18.2007

When We Say Nothing At All

Things might go better if I keep my mouth shut. The whole, "My older boys are sleeping through the night," thing, I mean...

Calvin came in last night after his routine bathroom waking and crawled in bed to snuggle, went back to bed, came in a little later to "help" when he heard Charlie cry, went back to bed (well, actually we found out later that he "went downstairs to rest a while"), then came back in at 4 a.m.

David didn't say or do anything, but I knew he was frustrated - he will personally admit that his patience fuse is a lot shorter than mine, and it is nonexistent in the middle of the night. I could tell he was already sure that Cal's helpfulness would become a nightly occurrence if we didn't take action NOW, but I could also tell that Cal was needing a little TLC.

Since David was keeping himself in check, I took the risk that Cal would go back to bed sooner with a couple minutes of cuddle than he would with a stern reminder that it was the middle of the night. So David doodled Charlie a minute while my lanky 4yo first baby in footie pajamas crawled onto my lap.

"What's up, Cal?"
"I just love you, and want to be with you all the time."

Oh, brother. He was working me over after all. But I rubbed his back and talked to him a few more minutes. We watched David rock the baby around the room and everything got quiet. I almost thought Cal was falling asleep, then he lifted his head and whispered to me conspiratorily, "Dad's trying not to care that I'm here."

I couldn't stop giggling the rest of the night when I thought of it. The kid doesn't miss a trick. Or a nuance. Or a mere sentiment, even when Dad says nothing at all.

13 comments:

NOBODY said...

Oh my word. That boy is brilliant. LOVE this story.

An Ordinary Mom said...

Very, very intuitive! Your boy has a lot of discernment.

The Amazing Trips said...

I love it. How much more adorable can a child be???

Anonymous said...

Oh, that is the cutest story ever. I'll bet Dad stopped caring he was there after that! What a cute kid.

Sketchy said...

LOL...that is soooo my husband! When we talk about him dealing with kids at night I have to say, "And you'll do it a loving way, right?"

Love the "Daddy's trying not to care..." That's the best and so spot on!

Lei said...

How on earth they do that, I do not know. It is uncanny! Lol!

Ice Cream said...

Oh my goodness!!! I hate when my kids can sense stuff like that. My daughter pointed out, she was only 4, that she knew I was only pretending to laugh at their jokes. I felt bad, but what could I do? They are very bad jokes!

megachick said...

kids can be so very perceptive, it's eerie.
i thought for sure that pooka would wake up with every cr from the bug, but she sleeps through it all. hallelujah. we had enough trouble with her own night wakings when they were in fashion.

T with Honey said...

Kids are way too good at reading faces. Maybe you could use him to figure out who's bluffing at poker games? ;)

Anonymous said...

That is too funny! Great that you're blogging about it - you'll want to remember that quote.

Lily moved into a toddler bed last week because she was climbing out of the crib. Unfortunately, she's getting up way too early now and has a habit of kicking me in the bladder when I put her in bed with me.

Michelle said...

I love your child's personality. Its great. He sound like such a wise little boy!!! I hope things go better with the feedings... But don't you just love craigslist?!?!?

Jennifer B. said...

I am late, but warmest congratulations! Wishing you lots of rest =)

Unknown said...

1st--those baby pictures above are the cutest things I ever saw!

2nd--I'm glad that you're giggling through the night and not crying. Those post-partum emotions can kill ya.

3rd--I've learned that things would usually be better for me if I kept my mouth shut, too.