It all started with a runny nose. This particular runny nose did not appear to be a cause for alarm, but certainly cause for extra attention. A lot of terrible things start with runny noses, after all. Despite the occasional eruption of snot following a sneeze or the constant trickle of snot needing to be wiped up, it was a fairly normal day. There was no warning that one of the worst nights ever was just a sunset away.
The kids went to bed at normal times and the parents settled in for some TV and popcorn. After an hour of happy relaxation, the chaos commenced. It started with a pitiful wail and a cry for "MOMMY!" Mommy wipes a nose, provides a drink of water, and tucks back into bed. Thirty minutes later, Mommy is again hailed to comfort a runny nose back to sleep. Thirty minutes later.......and thirty minutes after that, and........uh-oh, this is going to be an all-night occurrence.
"It would be much simpler if we just brought the little runny nose girl into our bed!" said a parent (there is a debate raging over exactly which parent had this brilliant idea).
Brush teeth, put on pajamas, and settle into bed with three pillows, two sleepy parents, and one runny nose. What fun! Silly songs and cuddles seemed a great way to start the night, but soon it was time for sleep. Unfortunately, once you get a little girl excited about sleeping with her parents, very little sleeping actually happens.
Tossing, poking, kicking, wiggling, tickling, and honking noses were bestowed on tired, unhappy parents. Sleep would seem just within reach and then get chased away by the sound of someone's sudden urge to count the ceiling fan blades out loud.
At nearly 1am, the sleepy little girl finally ended the nighttime fiasco by asking, "All done, Mommy?" in a pleading voice. "Yes, your parents are done torturing you, Little Girl. You can go to sleep now." *sigh* Who's idea was this, anyway?
Back to the little girl's room, rocking, singing, and, finally, sleeping.
And then runny nose #2 woke up........and seemed to stay up for the rest of the night.
Is it naptime yet???
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