Sleep in my Room Brother

A month or so before Harbor was born, Cooper and Sawyer both slept in our room.

We had just moved to a new house a few months before. Both boys could sense the baby was coming. And they seemed to be trying to soak up as much mama snuggle time as they could.

Of course I would like to say they both started out the night in their own rooms and beds.  At least that was the intention every day as Jamie and I chugged coffee after a crowded night of sleep.

But every night Sawyer would look at me with those HUGE brown eyes and say, ‘Can I lay with you for ten minutes mama? I just miss you so much.’ I was a goner. A weak goner.

Jamie would tease me for being weak. And say…’that kid better be in his own bed by the time I get there.’

I’d just smile and shake my head as Sawyer led me up the stairs.

We’d snuggle, talk, laugh and eventually both fall asleep. This was our time. Our quiet, mommy and Sawyer, just relax, time.

Around 10 Jamie would trickle in.

And then in the middle of the night, Cooper would climb in between Jamie and I. He missed us too.

It’s safe to say that Jamie and I weren’t getting much rest. But we were getting more than we would if we were waking up to bring them back to their beds.

We tried to be strict. We tried to reward, bribe, and beg the boys to sleep in their own beds.

We were able to bargain them to a sleeping bag on the floor at the foot of our bed. But I knew I had a baby coming. A baby that would be making lots of noise in the middle of the night.

And while I secretly loved that they loved being close to us, It was time to get them back to their own rooms.

So, we asked the boys if they would like to share a room and finally use the bunkbeds that I envisioned my boys loving.

Sawyer said NO. He wanted his own room. And Cooper, well, we couldn’t tell if he understood the offer.

But that night, exactly two weeks before baby Harbor arrived, Cooper grabbed his blanket and wandered into Sawyer’s room and claimed the lower bunk. At first Sawyer protested. He didn’t want to share his room.

After a few days, it became their new normal. They have slept in the same room every since.

Cooper refuses to go to bed until brother goes too. He will grab brother’s arm and point upstairs. And if Sawyer goes first, he asks where Cooper is.

Of all the parts of their relationship, this is the most typical. And it warms my heart the most.

I am so thankful that they share a room because I know that even if they ignore each other all day…they will end the night together.

Yes, I wish there was nonstop chatter. I wish I had to tell them to quit talking and go to bed. Too stop giggling. To stop playing.

I have so many memories of sharing a bed with my sister. It was such a special thing on the nights that our mother let us sleep together.

We aren’t there yet. But, maybe some day.

Baby steps.

I’ll never forget the day Sawyer said…’Sleep in my room brother.’

It’s one of my favorites.

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