Thursday, October 2, 2008

A Conversation with Ann Marie

Annie dressing up at the children's museum.

Two nights ago I had a couple of friends over to watch a movie. Annie kept sneaking downstairs to see when I would come up and snuggle her to sleep. She hates to fall asleep alone. At about 10 p.m. one of my friends saw her on the landing of the stairs ... asleep. I had Jon pick her up and take her to bed when he got home a little later that night. 

Yesterday, I was driving Ann Marie home from her violin lesson. My insomniac daughter and I had the following conversation.

"So, Mom, did you see me sleeping on the stairs last night?" asks Annie

"I heard you were asleep on the stairs," I answered. Then I asked "Why did you go to sleep on the stairs?"

"Because I was waiting for you to come snuggle me!" answered Annie a bit frustrated.

"Well why didn't you wait in your bed?" I asked.

"Because it is too cozy and I would have fallen asleep." At last she admits the truth.

"Isn't that kind of the point?" I note for her. "Plus I would rather snuggle you in your bed than on the stairs. I like cozy places to snuggle, not the stairs. And I can still snuggle you even after you fall asleep."

"You snuggled me on the stairs when I was asleep?!?" she said shocked.

"I snuggle you lots of times when you are asleep Annie." I won't lie to her, but sometimes selecting the appropriate true statement with which to answer can be helpful. 

I think she was a little taken back by this revelation that I snuggle her in her sleep. Maybe she will start "waiting for me to snuggle her" in a more cozy location if she believes I will snuggle her in her sleep. 

11 comments:

Camille said...

what a sweet girl! You are a great mom to your girls!!

Sarah said...

My daughter is also an insomniac, but then so am I. I feel so bad for her because I know how frustrating it is to want to fall asleep and the ability not be there. We always snuggle for a little while when we lay the kids down and they know we will be back for sleepy snuggle later. Here's to a restful night for my Piper and your Ann Marie.

Anonymous said...

I had a terrifying experience three days ago when my 2 year old daughter choked on an object in our house. Thankfully, she was just fine after surgery to remove the object. Your blog reminds us all of how precious life is but it does more than that - it shows us how to be strong, capable mothers. You inspired me to act quickly for my daughter and not FREEZE in utter terror. You show us your strength every day. Thank you for opening your heart to us - you are touching mine every day!

my stay-at-home-momma drama said...

I had a terrifying experience three days ago when my 2 year old daughter choked on an object in our house. Thankfully, she was just fine after surgery to remove the object. Your blog reminds us all of how precious life is but it does more than that - it shows us how to be strong, capable mothers. You inspired me to act quickly for my daughter and not FREEZE in utter terror. You show us your strength every day. Thank you for opening your heart to us - you are touching mine every day!

Shanan said...

ha! Too funny.

It seems thats what the Lord asks of us - to always be in a righteous place so He can come snuggle us even when we are not expecting it.

Marcee said...

That is the sweetest thing! I too love to snuggle with my boys, awake or asleep. I know when they are teenagers I may only get the chance when they are asleep, so now I take ALL I can get!

vocalise said...

"Most of the stuff I say is true because I saw it in a dream & I don't have the presence of mind to make up lies when I'm asleep."
~~~Brian Andreas

Maggie May said...

my daughter does this too. i have a five minute snuggle check, and then tell her i'll come back again, and she waits for a snuggle. sometimes she gets in the habit of waiting so determinedly that i remind her i came in already and snuggled her, and now she needs to go to sleep!

Anonymous said...

Holy smokes, I wish my son wanted me to snuggle him to sleep! If so, my husband and I would both be climbing into his crib to accommodate him. :)

Sylvia said...

I love this photo of your daughter. I know I don't know you or your family but she looks so funny and spunky. The shirt, her hat, and her little smirk makes me laugh. She is cute little gal. You do have you fair share of trials but you are one blessed momma, as I am pretty sure you know.

Just me! said...

I think Ann Marie looks a lot like Camille. At least in this photo of her. Adorable!