Tough Lovin'

So this morning, I noticed that the boys were being really quiet. A little too quiet if you ask me.  I knew that the trouble couldn't be too bad because Matthew was still in his crib and Michael's ability to cause trouble doesn't hold a stick to Matthew's....but something sure seemed fishy.

So I poke my head in their room and see both boys lying in Matthew's crib. Michael had scaled the rail and was lying in there and the two were whispering, cackling, and no doubt, plotting their mischief for the day.

Before Matthew noticed me, I even noticed him petting Michael's head.

It was darn cute.

But then they noticed me and the frenzy of the day began and apartment teemed with life and chaos.

When I put them to bed tonight, they took FOR.EV.ER to go to sleep. I even put them to bed early (because they didn't nap and were a touch cranky), but it didn't bother me whether they slept or didn't because my evening relaxation had already begun (complete with a glass of moscato, thank you).

Finally, at 9:00, I hear desperate pleas coming from their room. I begrudgingly push the button for "Mom mode" back to the "on" position and go in there.

Michael is in Matthew's bed again and can't get out.

Now, Michael is, at this age at least, not the most athletically inclined kid.  He is a little clumsy, not daring, and not super coordinated.

But he got himself in there! I thought, which includes the exact same rail to climb over as it is to get out.  I think this was just a matter of will and he just didn't want to get himself back over.

So I told him (eager to get back to my kid-free evening), "Get back yourself!" (Maybe it sounded a little more loving than it looks written. Maybe).

He whined and complained, but eventually he did it. He crossed the chasm (4 inches) between his bed and Matthew's bed and made it safe in one piece. He put his head on his pillow and fell asleep.

But not without a pat on the back from his Mom for overcoming his hesitancy and a smile of self-pride on his face that he, even in just a small way, was one step closer to being like Batman than he was this morning.