Last night, as the rain poured down, I dreamt of the forest, a tennis match, going out in just my undies and a sweater to the tennis match, and sneaking out of a snowstorm into a dark cafe with a secret friend and having coffee and french pastries.

   Then my super sonic Mommy hearing heard a little "Mom" and I bolted awake to do my rounds.  Every boy was softly sleeping and then I saw the mischievous culprit....

(This is the part when you are going to remember I was taking medication that made me rather high and assume that is why this story is a bit wacko but I assure you I went off the pills yesterday and I am back to the normal me)

...it was Chum the cat and Silver the other cat was sitting beside him looking ever so pleased that their plan worked.   I swear my cat has learned to meow "Mom" and trick me out of bed when hubbie's home and locks them out of the boys rooms, hence the cat chow.  When he's gone I leave all the boys doors open but for some reason it's important to him to shut everything and the cats don't like it one bit, nor do I.

Here is Mr. Chum (the talking cat) getting ready to drink from Ry's glass,  he's taunting me as usual,

...and of course even though I said "no" he goes for a drink anyways!   All the boys around here have me wrapped around their finger.

After this mornings troubling talking cat incident I had a hard time falling back to sleep and I got to thinking about how much I've been taking for granted the quiet nights around here.  I've  had years of bed hopping from boy to boy for nightmares, bouts of the flu or croup, or just dolling out much needed cuddles.  Baby number one I used to get upset and fret about the lack of sleep or why he wouldn't sleep, baby number two it wasn't a worry I napped when he did, and number three I actually almost looked forward to Ry needing me a bit at night.   Sweet baby breath and milky snuggles, waking with warm little fingers wrapped in my hair and cold little feet tucked against my tummy.  The years pass so quickly, kiddos grow up way too fast. 

 All of a sudden it seems I have many a night when no one calls out for me and I sort of miss it.   So, perhaps it was just a regular meow and my imagination heard "Mom".  I don't know, but it sure sounded like Mom.  For all you new Mommas out there running on little sleep and restless nights don't fret, it will be over before you know it, and trust me, you will miss it.  Go with the flow, try to laugh at the chaos of life with wee ones, enjoy the randomness and passion of their budding personalities without loosing yourself completely.  

Lucky for me there are still minor debates on who gets to sleep with me when Dad's away, or if needed I can always get one of my guys to scooch over and let me slip into their warm bed for a cuddle.  Big boys are wonderful too, each stage is magical and challenging in it's own way, it really is such a journey. 

 The rain still pours down, as the day wears on... we just finished our last day of preschool and are headed off to Ryan's Kindergarten orientation and I'm obviously feeling sentimental today realizing my last babe is no longer a babe at all.  All that from a cat that meowed "Mom", tonight I'm sneaking out and opening all the bedroom doors when hubbie's settled in bed.

 

oxo

p.s.  For those of you with wee ones who aren't just waking here and there but actually need help sleeping my sis Janey  is actually a certified Sleep Sense consultant and can do wonders with families in establishing good bedtime routines and creating independant sleepers.   Her little fella Chase has slept twelve hour nights since a very young age and she definitely has been more productive and energetic as a new Mom than I ever was.  Feel free to contact her at weesleep.   She can do consults via Skype...you gotta love Skype!