Will woke me up at 1am this morning. He was wailing away in his room. I’m fairly hard-assed when it comes to his sleeping. If he’s not sick aka no potential blow outs or upchucks, I won’t go in if he wakes. Generally, within 5-10 minutes he’s settled himself back down and he’s out again whereas if Mommy comes in, it’s an hour long production to get him back to sleep. Nadda – not happening.
Last night though the cry just sounded different and I couldn’t take it so in I went. There is my big boy standing up. The instant I walked in, he stopped crying and simply stated…
WA-YA (toddler speak for water).
Instantly, his entire life flashed before my eyes – first day of school, first girlfriend, graduating Harvard, hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head, accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. I don’t know why – I just found this request SO grown up. No whining for juice or crying to go in Mama’s bed – he simply wanted a drink of water.
As I stood there surprised, he finished with.
PLEASE, MOMMY. (not peas mama but the correct words…this is a first)
In that instant, he could have asked me to eat liver covered in gum while sitting in a tub of snakes with a naked Carrot Top massaging my shoulders and I would have done it. No questions asked.
Wouldn’t you??
The capper? He had his water, lay down and went back to sleep. Glad one of us did…I was writing my speech for his wedding in my head. Because je-sus if he keeps growing up so fast it’ll be here in no time.
LOVE your story and I can relate to the Carrot Top comment. EW! haha
Oh Sara.
Brace yourself. These moments don’t stop.
I remember my first real heartbreak was when I had Cam in Parent-Tot swimming lessons. He was almost 3 and could finally touch the bottom. He pushed me away and said “I don’t need you anymore”
I had to submerge my head under water, pretending to swish my hair back so nobody would notice my tears.
I think either is as revolting as the next no??
Very sweet story. I love it when it hits me that Travis is growing up and not as much the baby I make him out to be (means things are on track, right?). But what struck me more about your story was your reference to Carrot Top. I don’t know if that was a visual I needed! Were you referring to pre or post muscle man Carrot Top?
I thought it was the pub food he had for dinner…but you’re right! Heat!
It’s been so hot lately Sara, I got caught out by the same thing. My son wailing and I’m waiting it out, only to finally go in and hear the tearful “water please”, after which he lay back down and went to back sleep. I felt terrible. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one!
Those moments are so powerful. Every time my kids reach a milestone of independence, I’m simultaneously proud and sad. They need me less and less, and I know where that road ends. My 7-yr old boy looked at me last Friday and asked, “What are we having tonight, sushi or Thai?”