No rest for the… wicked?
I just put my niece back to bed for the 15th time in an hour and a half.
I remember Mom telling stories about me getting out of bed as a little girl of 4 or 5, sitting on the basement stairs as quietly as possible until some adult happened to find me or I gave myself away. Apparently, I didn’t want anything - I was just afraid I was missing out. What is the old saying about the sins of the fathers? Does that apply to aunts, as well?
I’ve been spending one night a week at my brother’s house for the last several weeks now. My sister-in-law works a night shift and leaves for work around 9:30, and he’s working a job that takes him out of town Monday through Thursday - someone has to stay with Wia and Emma. They warned me coming in that Wia doesn’t do a very good job of staying in bed… it’s so bad they have to 1) threaten to take away all her “babies”, and 2) promise that come the weekend, they’ll be able to pull several fully grown quarters from behind her ears. Some nights are better than others; last Monday she didn’t get up one single time after I put her to bed. Tonight, 15 times and counting. I think she’s just afraid of what she might be missing, which is simply me surfing the internet, silly girl.
What this is ultimately doing for me, however, is NOTHING. I’m already sleeping on the couch, and so I have back pains for at least the next day. Now, in addition to that, I’m actually losing sleep to get up with her and put her back to bed! I keep thinking, what would I do if it were my child? At almost 3, she’s definitely old enough for the big girl bed, but I think I might put her back in a baby bed. Or at least threaten it. Seriously. Thank goodness she’s so cute and sweet, or I might have to restrain her somehow. Tonight when I got here she sat on my lap, facing me, as she always does and said “I hope you can stay, Aunt Amanda.” Just kill me now.
Back in the saddle
I think I’ve fixed it. I spent the day installing a new keyboard and palm rest (who knew the trackpad was a whole big assembly thing?), and so far, so good. Now I just have to recover everything I lost when I did the system restore, and I’ll be back in business. In a way, it’s kind of good - starting fresh is always interesting.
I went to the state fair yesterday with Wia and Emma (and, of course, their parents). We had lots of fun - the girls were kind of underwhelmed by the animals, although the piglets, bunnies, and donkeys were a big hit. Also, I saw Casey and her daughter - but did I say anything? No. I’m a big dork. It was one of those instance where you’re not quite sure if you saw the person you think you did, and once you realize it actually was that person, it’s too late. Hey, the fair was crowded! The highlight of the trip, however, was the JUMBO strawberry shortcake. So, so good. I had to share it, but that was fine. Sadly, I only had time to take a couple of pictures… I find I’m really self-conscious about taking pictures of things other than family in public places, but it has more to do with the fact that I don’t know what the crap I’m doing than being worried about offending anyone. Which is too bad, considering I could use the practice.
There was this terribly cute exhibit called Little Hands on the Farm, and I think Wia is just the right age - she really seemed to enjoy it. The kids got an apron to wear and a little bushel basket to collect all their items.
They got cute little hats with the Pioneer logo.
And of course, she got to plant some “seeds”. There was a guy just on the other side of RC turning the sand in the sandbox, but being at the state fair, I doubt he found many “surprises”.
My girls
I have the cutest nieces. I don’t know what I ever did before they came along… I love ‘em to bits and pieces. Wia (which is what she calls herself) is 2-1/2 years old, and is such a little person. She’s one of the smartest kids I know, I think because all of us have always talked to her like a little adult rather than a baby. She’s definitely starting to test everyone, and I warned my brother lastnight that he really needs to watch out for the threes. She’s the apple of my eye, and totally knows it.
Emma is 17 months old, and she’s really starting to blossom. She’s always been a little more standoffish than Wia was, but now she’s getting to the point where she wants to be in the mix. She’ll still sit and entertain herself, but she’s also the one who brings a book and sits herself down in your lap to read. She wants to do everything Wia does, but she’ll also blaze her own trails. Her vocabulary has really expanded in the last couple of weeks, but a lot of what she says is still gibberish. I know she thinks she’s giving us the what for, but we just aren’t getting it!
I went to visit the girls yesterday afternoon while my brother and sister-in-law went out. I always have a ton of fun with the girls, and the last couple of times I’ve been over we haven’t even touched a toy. We just entertain each other. Lastnight, in fact, we entertained each other by playing with Aunt Amanda’s expensive camera and mobile phone. Probably not the smartest idea, but I got some cute footage…
Wia & Emma, May 11, 2008 from Amanda on Vimeo.
Seriously. I can barely stand the cute.
Filed under emma, family, movies, wia | Comments (2)
