Seth has been in his big bed since last September. Remarkably, he goes to bed and never (ever) gets out. Even in the morning, he will wake up and talk until I go see him and we snuggle before we get up. What a sweet, easy child I have!
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And then there was last night. I got home late to begin with and then had to immediately get on the phone with work. This set Seth on end as he wailed and Eveline whisked him off to a walk. When they got back and I was done, it was after 7:00. I convinced Seth to watch The Polar Express with me (his new obsession). We watched until bedtime (8:00) when I could tell he was exhausted. I put him to bed without incident and headed to the basement for more work in my office.
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A couple of minutes later, I heard him coming. As I waited, Seth arrived to see me. I put him back. He came again. Back again. He came again, asking to sleep in Mama's bed. Fine. In my bed. He came again. Back again. Finally, I asked him if he wanted to watch his movie in Mama's bed, thinking how brilliant I was and how much work I had to do. That lasted five minutes. Back again. On what felt like his one millionth trip to the basement (and I realized no treadmill run would be necessary) I said, "OK. Let's watch your movie in the basement." I spread out a blanket on the floor while Seth positioned himself for viewing. I ran upstairs (again) to get the DVD player and ceremoniously set it up for Seth on the blanket. Done. I thought.
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As I hurried to start working again, it nearing 8:45, I heard Seth moving again. Apparently, his movie theater five feet behind mom was not good enough and he was trying to move the blanket, DVD player and himself into my six by three foot office. Perfect. I positioned him best I could on the stamp sized space not taken up by me and my desk and, you guessed it. Five minutes later Seth was handing me the DVD player and crawling himself into my lap. Sigh. I knew it was over.
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We watched the end of the movie together and I put him BACK in his bed again and closed the door, tight. He was not happy, but at long last, fell asleep. (Thank God)
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Other than being a hilarious story I couldn't resist sharing, I also learned something about "Mama time." We aren't done with it yet. And maybe won't be for a while. I can't go to small group tonight and leave him again. And, Lord willing, when I head back to Uganda this year, he's going along. It's just the way it is for now. And the truth is, I love it!
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Now off to start his shot regime.....