A Brother Room

Today was a big day in our house. Dave and I decided to brave the transition of moving Elliot's bed into Owen's room. It has been in there before, and in our room, in Dave's office, and most recently in our master closet. We started out co-sleeping with Elliot, but after just a few months, we realized he always slept better in his own space. He never seemed to be able to get comfortable in the bed with us, but would fall asleep and usually sleep pretty well in a bed near us. From about four months he slept in the crib right next to our bed, but as he got closer to 6 months, he became more sensitive to the light and noise in our room, so we moved him to Dave's office, thinking he would have the chance at a nice quiet night... but he started waking up more, and ended up back in our room most of the time. So we set up a pac n' play in our master bathroom... where it was dark and quiet and cozy, and he slept well in there.

But a boy can only sleep in a portable crib for so long, so we tried putting him back in Owen's room to sleep, but that proved to be a bit chaotic for two boys on two different schedules. At the end of last year we moved his full size crib into our master closet - and there he has slept peacefully for the last 5 months or so.

He loves his bed and he loves to sleep. He needs very little soothing, sleeps 3 hours in the day and about 12 at night. The arrangement has been working well, except for the loss of our master bath, and closet for the most part. We all share the hall bathroom, Dave keeps his clothes in his office closet, and I share a closet with Owen. A small sacrifice for two sleeping boys.

Ah, but we couldn't leave well enough alone, and decided that since Elliot has been sleeping through the night for a few weeks now, we might be able to have them back in the same room again.

Tonight was the first night, and Elliot seemed so excited. When it came time for sleep, he couldn't wait to get in his bed, and even "forgot" rocking time with Mommy. I tucked him in and sang a song, but soon noticed a blank stare of uncertainty followed by a quivering bottom lip. He was quickly back up in Mommy's arms and into the rocking chair for soothing. After settling down he seemed ready to try again, but just a moment after leaving the room, the tears started again. Back to the room, more rocking and nursing, then back to the bed happily after a few moments.

Quiet... and then tears again, but this time we couldn't even get back in the room before hearing Owen's sweet voice on the monitor saying "It's okay buddy, don't be sad. It's time to go to sleep". And to our surprise Elliot quieted down and listened to Owen. I guess Owen took this opportunity to have a little conversation with his brother, because they talked about everything, and for quite sometime.

How to call for me... Owen: "Do you want Mommy, buddy? Just say it kinda soft, Mooommmmmyyyy".

Then a little spelling lesson... Owen: "go, G -O, off, O-F-F, on, O-N".

And some talk of food - Elliot: "nack", Owen: "You want a snack buddy?" Elliot: "nack", Owen: "We can't have a snack now, maybe in the morning".

There were lots more conversations going on in there that we couldn't understand. I have never wanted a video monitor so much! Dave did finally have to go back in to resettle everyone. I think after a few nights we will get the timing and routine down... maybe.

I plan to wait a few days before moving my clothes back to my own closet, but I am hopeful, and excited for my two boys to strengthen their relationship with a little time together in their "Brother Room"

Wishing all a peaceful night,

k