nap time with Simon

Getting Simon to sleep is such a big task and the most IMPORTANT part of my day. He fights sleep like I've never seen before. I still use the crib tent when I don't have time to lay down by him, but we are trying hard to get him to sleep (and stay asleep) on his bed. As exhausting as it is, I really do look forward to our "down time" together. I try not to say anything, but he is always always talking. When I tell him to be quiet, he usually responds with "I can't. I too big." I look forward to hearing him say that every afternoon.

Yesterday after two minutes of total silence, Simon busted out with an original song. It only had three words in the lyrics and he repeated those words over and over and over. I loved it. He serenaded me for a while, and then I HAD to run and get my video camera. This is what happened when I came back....

Aaron is much better at getting him to sleep and will lay down by him at night, when he's home. Because Daddy is the favorite parent, Simon will do anything Aaron says and absolutely LOVES Daddy's bedtime stories. When Aaron is gone, I am on night duty and Simon will always tell me that he doesn't like me. He's so tired and he'll tell me over, "I don't YIKE you berry much. I omly love Daddy." Depending on the night, I will either smile or cry.

Aaron was trying to give me pointers to help him go to sleep better (because he's thinks he's a pro) and explained that he doesn't say anything, but just breaths in and out very loud and Simon will follow suit. I wish I could have videoed Daddy's demonstration, but it went something like this. "Breath very slow, in and out, in and out. Then get a little faster and Simon will too. Then when he's not expecting it, SNORT and it will be like the 4th of July."

Then next day, I tried Aaron's trick. I took deep breaths in and out for a good minute. Simon was looking at me in confusion, but he was following along and trying to relax. Then when I snorted, Simon wanted to laugh, but he controlled himself. He pointed his finger at me and said, "Don't do that Mom. Omly Daddy do that." It made me laugh so hard. I am still laughing about it, days later.