Eli is a pretty fun little guy. I love his easygoing take on the world and find him to be excellent company. Like any baby or toddler, he has his moments. Most of the time, though, I can anticipate what might upset him and sidestep the situation or at least ease it a bit. Yet the deeper we get into the week, the more sleep deprived I am. And the older Eli gets, the more complex his needs, wants, thoughts, and communications. After several fumbling negotiations in a row, sometimes I feel that we're out of synch. The first few times I felt that way, I really hated it. I've always felt so close to Eli and here was a tiny rift. But I've come to realize that is it part of growing up -- for him and for me. Now I try to stay aware of "out of synch" times and not let the feeling build too much. I look for ways to reconnect.
Wednesday I got Eli fed, changed, and into the crib for nap on time, yet he didn't fall asleep. He didn't fall asleep in the car on the way to music class either...until five minutes before we arrived. He did fine through music but was grumpy and didn't eat well at lunch. At last, he conked out on the way home. Normally, I'd carry Eli upstairs to his crib to finish his nap. Instead, because I was feeling out of synch, I brought Eli inside to my rocking chair. I held him for an hour and a half, watching that little sleeping face while humming hymns and softly patting him on the bum in time to the tune. He woke up pink-cheeked and grinning. Physical contact is such a great way to reconnect.
Finding an activity we both enjoy is a great way to reconnect too. During bath time, I pulled out our Gymboree bubble pipe that makes clouds of wonderfully tiny bubbles. In the photos, Eli looks so serious, but he actually had a great time chasing those swirling "buhs." (The flash in the dim light of the bathroom caught him by surprise.)
Another first for Eli. He blew his first bubbles! And, darn it, I didn't manage to catch that with the camera either.
Last but not least, we went outside in our jammies to look for stars before bed. We found one peeking out between shreds of cloud and sang the Sesame Street lullabye, "One Little Star."
Reconnected.
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