I caught her off-guard when I poked my head in the door; she jumped, brought her hands, tangled in the sleeves of a hot pink cardigan, up to her mouth.
“What are you doing, sweetie?”
She relaxed, smiled at me. “I’m trying to get this on. Can you help me?”
I walked over to her bed and held up the cardigan while she slipped her arms in. “Did you come to check on me?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yup. You should be sleeping.”
She stifled a yawn. “I’m not tired,” she said.
“I beg to differ.”
“What?”
I smiled. “Nothing.” I started toward the door, stopped when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to face her. “What are you doing? Get back in bed,” I said gently.
“I have to go pee.”
I jerked my thumb in the direction of the bathroom. “Let’s go,” I said, and found myself following behind her. While she did her thing I fished around absentmindedly for my toothbrush, started brushing my teeth.
“Are you keeping me company?” Her voice was almost incredulous; I rarely wait around for her to finish in the bathroom.
I flashed a smile in her direction. “I might be,” I said after I’d rinsed my mouth out.
“Will you come back to my room with me?”
“Yes, I’m going to tuck you back in bed.”
“And fill me up?”
“Perhaps…”
Back in her room I got her tucked in, sat on the edge of her bed, filled my index finger up with love and started tracing the words “I love you” across her forehead.
“Do shapes too, Mummy,” she said.
“No, sweetie. I gotta go. There’s something I want to watch on television and it’s starting soon.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a show called The Amazing Race,” I said.
“What’s it about?”
“It’s about people who race around the world to try and win one million dollars,” I said, standing up. “It’s a really cool show and tonight’s the last one.”
“That’s a lot of money,” she said.
I nodded. “Yup.” I got up and walked to her door, then stopped and turned to face her. “Good night, sweetie. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay, Mummy. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Do you need love?”
I smiled, shook my head. “Nope. I’m full, sweetie.”
“How full are you?”
I leaned against the doorframe. “Um…I’m three quarters of the way full.”
“How much is that?”
“Up to here,” I said, pointing to my nose. “Almost all the way full.”
She nodded, satisfied. “Okay. Good.”
I turned to leave. “Goodnight, Julia. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mummy.”
I was halfway down the hall when, “Wait! Mummy! What number will it be when you check on me?”
“Eight thirty,” I called over my shoulder. “Go to bed.”
“Eight thirty?”
“Yup!”
“Okay!” Then, “Mummy!”
“Yes?”
“I still love you!”
(New post up at Ask Mama T…it's about s-e-x, so check it out!)
30 Comments, Comment or Ping
oh man…melt my heart…
January 23rd, 2008
Ahhh, little girls.
January 23rd, 2008
awe man… i CANT wait to have cute babies like that! such sweetness!
http://www.elizabethandchad.blogspot.com
January 23rd, 2008
She is so sweet.
January 23rd, 2008
that’s like my night too, except i was break-dancing on some cardboard in my living room and then played some parcheesi by myself wearing only a spiderman mask and high heels.
shit, did i say that all out loud?
January 23rd, 2008
Awww…
January 23rd, 2008
I know I’ve said it before, but I LOVE the “fill you up” thing.
Just melts my heart.
(and, were you pleased or pissed with the final result of TAR?)
January 23rd, 2008
She really is an old soul, I think.
January 23rd, 2008
and I love yours. posts that is.
holy. my pms is really bad so now you have made me feel all weepy.
January 23rd, 2008
Oh I felt all proud to be a mommy reading this one – thanks for that glimpse into a little tulip’s life.
Gonna go read about SEX now (hee).
January 23rd, 2008
My son’s class is doing a thing based on the book “How Full Is Your Bucket”. Each week, two children are selected and the class “fills” their “bucket” with things they like or admire about that child. Also, parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers, etc., are invited to help fill the bucket as well with letters telling what they find unique or special about them.
Also, each month, they pick a staff or community member to get an honorary bucket from the class. It’s a nice thing.
Sounds like you and Julia have your own little bucket thing going on. Very cool.
January 23rd, 2008
I am sure you never get tired of hearing her say those four little words, huh?
January 23rd, 2008
The best kind of stalling though… you have to love it.
January 23rd, 2008
Hot damn…I’m all for reading about sex…
Er, sweet post. That daughter of yours, she can really tug at the ole heartstrings, eh?
Now…I’m off for sex. Er, to read about it, that is…
January 23rd, 2008
They’re clever, aren’t they? The cuter they are, the more you let them get away with the stalling. And we think we’re in charge!!
January 23rd, 2008
I was glad the hippies won.
January 23rd, 2008
Kids are so great at the bedtime stall tactics. This is a nightly occurrence in our home, with my four-year old daughter, so I can really relate to your post. I love your writing, by the way – keep it coming.
January 23rd, 2008
aw, i love her ;)
January 23rd, 2008
you lovely mama, you.
January 23rd, 2008
I so plan to do the fill you up thing when we have kids :0)
January 24th, 2008
Aw, Mama…she is so precious. I like your little fill-up ritual, too. It’s nice to share those special traditions with your kids, isn’t it? Maybe she will share that with her kids someday, too….see what you started? *LOL*
January 24th, 2008
As far as stalling tactics go, I’d say she’s cornered the market, eh?
January 24th, 2008
Sweetest pea in the land…
January 24th, 2008
awww what a sweetie. great job at extending bedtime, but sweet none the less :0)
January 24th, 2008
Aww….. :)
January 24th, 2008
Oh, she’s gooood.
Watch out when she’s thirteen…
;)
January 24th, 2008
Now I’m really feeling guilty. I have got to schedule an appointment with the dentist and put my children to bed earlier.
January 25th, 2008
Yeah, my 7 year old is a master staller… any time not just night time.
But it was very sweet of her to give you all that love!
January 28th, 2008
Hehe :)
January 31st, 2008
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