{Photo taken 3rd May 2010}
As the weather cooled down I knew that it would be cheaper to heat one or two rooms up rather than 4 so we thought about bringing you into ours.
You slept 3 rooms away from us and would wake every night screaming. Most nights I would listen to see if you went back to sleep or not. Usually you did. Other times (depending on your cry) I would get up to you and cuddle for awhile. A few times I was too scared to get up so I'd take papa with me.
How ridiculus to expect a tiny 2yr old to sleep in a room by herself with the door shut if an adult is too scared to go in there!!
So I brought you into my room.
On other occassions when I tried to co-sleep with you I'd be kicked, pushed, wriggled on, squirmed on, blankets pulled off, pillow hi-jacked and neither of us would get much sleep.
So I brought your bed with me.
The first few nights you climbed out of your bed and into mine, fell asleep, got put back into your bed and repeated.
I was horrified to discover that you had nightmares and even worse night terrors.
I was able to see how and how often you slept for which meant I discovered why you were so cranky some days.
Through having you even closer than usual I grew to love you more, appreciate you more and we had a deeper bond than previously.
I'd do it again... I don't regret it one bit. In fact I am fairly certain that both you and I needed it at that time. We both got more sleep because of it.
A year on...
Princess, you still keep on coming into my room at night! The nightmares don't happen anymore, your last night terror was 6 months ago. Most times I don't even hear you come in. I just wake and there you are.
But be warned...
Your co-sleeping days are coming to an end...
There just isn't enough room for 6 in the bed...
5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. Those times we spent together. The bonding, the cuddles and more understanding about you
2. Longer, deeper more satisfying sleeps - through co-sleeping
3. Your bed in my room... Meant I could kick you out of my bed but you'd be close by still
4. Cheaper power bill - saving power through less heating
5. Mother intuition... Knowing a child's need - naturally
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