no leave me

With Eden now in a big bed with a side rail, we've been doing the entire night time routine in the bed that she actually sleeps in. No rocking in the chair and singing songs, just talking in the bed.

On a normal night so far, Graham will be with E to read some books. Then, we're all there to read to her while one of us brushes her teeth {yes, she's spoiled}, and, then, Graham leaves while I finish putting Eden to bed. This now includes rubbing her back, talking about her day and all of the great things she did, saying a prayer, and then having a quick pep-talk and tucking in of E's Teddy and Lucy with all three of them {Eden, Teddy, and Lucy} under the covers. It also includes E selecting a "new" book to read to Teddy and Lucy once I leave.

For the past few days she's been putting up some resistance to me leaving but having her choose a new special book to read to her two favorite people has curbed her need for me to stay.

Today, however, she tried a new tactic. As we were lying in bed before her nap and before bedtime and as soon as she could tell I was about to make the move to leave, she wrapped her arm tightly around my neck and said, "No leave me, Momma. No leave me. Hold me tight."

I mean what are you supposed to say to that?

So, I held her tight and cuddled until she decided it was ok for me to go and for her to read to Teddy and Lucy. I realize everyone seems to say that you shouldn't establish too many "needy" sleeptime routines. But, since the rocking only lasted 2 years and everyone seemed to say you really should be sure not to rock your baby too much {like that's even possible!}, I'm definitely not pushing away from this one too soon.