Milestone

Last night Aidan lost his first tooth! I'm quite certain if Aidan were like every other child, he would have lost this particular tooth by now, it has been loose for quite some time. I'd say it's been about 6/7 months now, but Aidan is a patient boy. I'm sure in that brilliant little mind of his he though out some logical reason that prompted him to wait instead of wiggle.

Last night at tuck in time I checked the progress of his first loose tooth. It was very wiggly, in fact I was sure if he had let me wiggle and tug I would have had his tooth out that night, this scenario wasn't quite as appealing to Aidan as it was to me. I decided it was time to remind Aidan of the "tooth fairy" and his/her purpose...$. At this point, and after being tucked in herself, Paris had joined us in Aidan's room. She was disgusted by Aidan's tooth, but excited to learn about the tooth fairy. Paris asked to sleep over in her big brother's room and after we gave her the okay we tucked the two in and said "good night".

The two were obviously far to anxious to sleep because a little after 10 PM on Tuesday July, 27th 2010 Aidan came tip-toeing out of his bedroom with good news! His tooth had fallen out! He was of course concerned for the safety of his tooth, so we placed the tooth in a baggy and the placed that baggy under his pillow. Aidan was quick to fall asleep certain that the tooth fairy wouldn't come if he wasn't fast asleep. Paris on the other hand desperately wanted to wait the fairy out, she was sure if she could just stay up late enough that she'd catch the beautiful, magical tooth fairy in action. But the tooth fairy knew better than to get caught, she (it was a "she" this time) waited until both children we in a deep sleep, and left $5 for Aidan's first tooth! She also left a special note saying: "Dear Aidan, Please brush your teeth 3 times a day, thank you for the clean tooth-Tooth Fairy" It was a simple message made of simple somewhat scribbly hand writing... Aidan thought that perhaps it was a kid fairy, Paris thought perhaps the handwriting was scribbly because the pen was far too big for a little fairy hand....hmmm, I'm impressed that they both actually thought about it.

I love that the two got to share this experience together. It means so much to me as a mom when I see a healthy loving relationship developing between my children.

Here's a little fun for ya :D Aidan and I lost the same tooth first! How cool is that, except I lost mine a year earlier than he lost his! Here is a picture of me at 6 1/2 and Aidan at 7 1/2.

Bedtime Stories

Today was a hard day. I stayed up way too late reading "Breaking Dawn" I got half way through it skipping over most of the "Jacob" book/chapters. Yes, I am a brat skipping over all the details and getting right to the good stuff....like half humna, half vampire babies! The last time I looked at the clock last night it was 2 am. Adam was sleeping, I closed my book, turned out the light then playfully tickled him until he peeled his eyes half open, acknowledged my presence and held me close. Bedtime rebellion does not go with out consequence. I woke up cheerful this morning but then the head ache came. I was completely irritable.

My kids are champs. I was crabby, snappy and even hurtful today yet my kids still love me, with the same unconditional love I have for them. Ah, I have taught them well. Tonight after a long awaiting this day to be over I tucked my kids in bed. Normally I fly through this part of the day. Hoping I'll have enough time before my bedtime to finish up my to-do's and enjoy a little time to myself. Today had been a different day and so tonight, I took my time. I honestly have been trying to take my time lately, but I find myself far to selfish to ever do so. I'm a selfish being it's true, like last night when I decided to stay up way past my bedtime with out consideration to my children, so selfish of me.

Asher was exhausted as he usually is at bedtime. I crawled into his tiny-for-mom toddler bed and curled myself around him so that he sank into my chest. I held him firmly and then said "Asher look at me in my eyes please" he did. Then I said "I'm so sorry Asher, I love you so so much" referring to the fact that I had been a crab today. He said "I love you momma, I'm sorry I bite my sister". Asher was still Asher today, but I was a lot less graceful with him. We laid and watched the goldfish swim aimlessly in the tank that filled his room with dim light. I watched as peace fall upon his face, and soon after I found myself lost in the rhythm of his breathing. His face is beautiful, so fresh, and full, and kissable, I could have laid beside him staring all night.

I heard Paris' restless body wrestling in her bed. She shares a room with Asher and thankfully as I had hoped, Asher fell asleep quickly enough allowing me time with Paris before she had fallen asleep. I crawled on over to her bedside, tucked her sheets around her and snuggled my head next to her. She had preferred me to lay in bed with her, but had I done such a thing in a bed more comfortable than Asher's I would have passed right out, and still I had hoped to make it to Aidan's room for tuck in time tonight. So she being in a grateful mood, settled for my kneeling at her bedside. I held her hand as she closed her eyes and concentrated on falling asleep. Aw, she is a sweet one. I whispered sweet thoughts into her ear, sharing with her how thankful I am to God for giving me the best little girl in the world, how I adore her, how I'm proud of who she is, and how I love her so much more than she could ever know. I don't consider myself remarkable but the power I have to bring such a peace to my children amazes me. It's a gift that only I can give, it's a comfort I regret not giving them more of. I caught myself staring again, this time I watched Paris' little hand in mine. Fragile, gentle, precious. I thought about the little, someday big hand for a while, and it was poetic. When I saw that Paris didn't flinch when Adam came to check on us I moved on to Aidan's room.

Of course Aidan wasn't sleeping. He was tired though, I could see it in his eyes. When I walked in he had been tucking in his stuffy's. Before I could say anything he asked if I could stay with him a while, so that he had a better try at falling asleep. Absolutely! I snuggled up in bed with Aidan, I rubbed his prickly shaved head, and as I laid on my side I wrapped one arm around his little chest, then we prayed. Well I prayed over him. I had done this earlier with the other two before Asher fell asleep. I prayed a similar, unique to him prayer. Then he turned to his side and I rubbed his back. I knew I wouldn't be able to lay with him until he fell asleep, that would take 40-60 minutes. Time I had chose not spare, surely I'd fall asleep if I stayed snuggled in his bed for that long. I stayed as long as I could though. When he tossed back over to his back I got to watch his face, again I saw that same peace. It signifies the feeling of being protected, safe, watched over and loved. I couldn't believe how big he is. It made me sad to reflect on how fast time has passed. It sadly does feel long ago that I had laid beside him as a newborn. I hate remembering how old he is and how were that much closer to "the turning point". That stupid point in time when he'll decide he doesn't need me by his bedside, or for much else either. I dread it and pray with might it's not real. I held him a little tighter, said "I love you" and when I thought he was comfortable enough to fall asleep in peace, I escaped before I began to wallow in self pity.

Someday this life will be over and I'll begin a new stage. It is what it is, just like today was crap but then heavenly. Thank God for bedtime stories.