Sunday 22 February 2009

Behold! a miracle


How do I get thee to sleep? Let me count the ways... Over the years I have tried a variety of methods with the pair of them: rocking, breastfeeding, rocking while breastfeeding, womb music, lavender baby bubble bath, singing the same damn song every night, wearing a cuddly toy down my bra all day and then putting it in the cot at bedtime, pushchair, car, sling, eliminating certain foods, loading them up with soporific dinners, chasing them around the garden for two hours, blackmail, bribery, and tearful pleading. The Australian has always said, with just a hint that it must be my fault, "Why don't they just fall asleep when they're tired?" Oh, very funny. But here he is - The Boy, fast asleep within minutes of being put (kicking and yelling) into the trolley. I have triumphed (okay, I wasn't actually there at the point he fell asleep, but I am sure it is merely the culmination of all my hard work over the years). And wouldn't shopping trips be so much quicker and easier if all our children did this? Well, no. It took twice as long because every old lady in the place wanted to stop and gaze at him: "Isn't he peaceful?" "I wish I could sleep like that." Etc. Annoying? Nah, I loved every minute.

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7 comments:

Caroline said...

He is so cute!

I had a baby boy who never ever never ever sleep (or that's what it felt like). I'd look at children who fell asleep in shopping trolleys and be in awe. So, I will ignore most of this post and bow to your spectacular baby-sleeping techniques. Bravo!

E.G. said...

Ah, thank you, Caroline - perhaps I should write a book about it...Gina Ford, Baby Whisperer, Miriam Stoppard - LOOK OUT! I'm coming atcha with the Try Everything To Get Your Child To Sleep And Then Give Up Completely Until They Just Go And Surprise You technique.

Geraldine Ryan said...

Aaaah!

Caroline Green said...

Aaah, what a little darling.
But what I want to know is...Woolworths?? Eh? How come?

Ross said...

Cuddly toy? Bra? That must have produced some interesting shapes in your chestal area...

Gillian McDade said...

Very cute! Great post - made me smile Emily :)

E.G. said...

Thanks for stopping by, y'all.

Caroline - Woolworths here is a different thing, apparently. But FYI, Woolworths in Oz is about to become Safeway. Now there's a useful piece of Australian trivia you can take to future dinner parties.

Ross - some people have boob jobs, I make do with a stuffed bear. Or two.