Late Night Shenanigans

It has been quite some time since we have had the boys share their bedroom.

The transition went much more smoothly than expected and after only a few nights of taking forever to go to sleep, the boys learned to go to sleep rather quickly without disturbing the other one. In fact, we could put them in their beds at around 7:15 and know that at least one of them would be asleep by about 7:30 or 7:40...and if the other were awake, he would be laying quietly in his bed.

About a week ago, I rearranged the kids' room so that both beds were along the same wall, allowing a fairly large space on the left side of the room.

I thought that since the boys had spent so much time in the same room prior to this, bringing them just a few feet closer would not be much of a big deal.

I was wrong.

For the past several nights (excluding the time we were traveling), Michael and Matthew have been completely distracted with each other at bedtime. They hit the walls and laugh and laugh...they throw stuffed animals, among other things.

Thanks to our trusty video monitor which we still love (who wouldn't like to spy on their kids?), we can peek in at their antics. We often see them stretching their hands out and holding hands across the gap between their beds. I'm sure it's much more mischievous than it appears because it appears downright adorable...but I'm sure there is some finger squeezing or twisting or something.

After a while, someone will inevitably end up crying, so we go in there and discover that even the pacifiers have criss-crossed cribs. Michael will be clutching Matthew's pacifier, and Matthew will be looking at Michael's wondering what to do with it.

This goes on and on for about an hour...sometimes more. Finally, someone will fall asleep leaving the other staring at the opposite bed, waiting hopefully that the game isn't over. Eventually, the second one will put his head down and reluctantly drift off to sleep.

It is a riot to watch, but also just a touch frustrating, especially when one of them is sick and really needing to sleep, or when they keep beating up the walls, especially since our neighbors can probably feel it through the walls.

It seems the brothers are really bonding. Not only at night, but even throughout the day, they really love each other and enjoy their time together. For the past several days, Michael has been obsessed with hugging Matthew saying, "I love you, little Matthew." It is so sweet.

The other day, Michael even went to Matthew and spontaneously said to him, "I'm getting used to having you around" and then he barreled into him giving him a big hug. Now, I was pretty taken aback at where on earth Michael got that phrase from, until Michael Sr reminded me it was from one of the stories we read to them. Still...it was in perfect context and perfectly heartfelt.

We love our boys and are enjoying seeing their relationship grow!