Tonight, for the first time ever, I put both kids to sleep without help. Ruby went down first. I read her One Morning in Maine, and held her for a few minutes. Initially she wanted me to go away right after I was done reading, but I gave a disappointed sound and she consented to letting me hold her for “one minute”. I swear she counted seconds, because she kicked me out before I fell asleep (which generally happens around minute 4).
Olive was a bit more of a challenge. I believe I’ve gotten her to sleep exactly one time before. It was very late and I lucked out on the sleep-walk transfer. This time was absolute magic compared to that. I sat with her on the couch and watched Goodnight Gorilla. After one and a half viewings she said “Mama, Sleep”. I asked if she was really done, and ready for bed right now. She corroborated. On the way to the bedroom, I asked her to put her head on my shoulder. I very gently eased her onto our bed, gave her a kiss and said goodnight. Then when she looked up at me I said, “Olive, can you go to sleep like your sister did?”. “Ya”.
About 10 minutes later I went in to make sure she was really sleeping. Ahhhh the sweet sound of success… silence!