Feet in the Night

So, it's no secret to those who know me that I'm a chronic insomniac. I thought about something this evening though, that makes that somewhat okay, though.

When Conman was younger, he would trot off to bed at 9PM without so much as a word. He'd crawl in there, happy with a tuck-in, a quick story, a kiss from me and a whispered "I love you, boy." I'd get the sweetest words ever, back; "I love you too, mommy. I'll see ya in the morning. Oh, and mommy? Are you and daddy gonna watch some TV?" My answer would be, "Yes, son, we'll be watching TV for a while." He would then say back to me, "Good. I can't go to sleep if I don't hear it."

Now, I know from way back that "I can't sleep if I don't hear the TV" is Conman-speak for I just want to make sure you and dad are going to be in the next room for a while. I feel better when I know you guys are so close, and can go to sleep. I play along with the TV charade, though, because it makes him feel like a "big boy". Now, though, he's waking up more and more often while I'm watching TV after DH has gone to bed. I don't up the volume (we have a strict "5" rule at our house after 9PM) and often turn it to one of the satellite music channels where the volume is even lower. He gets up and comes to me, climbs in my lap and says something incoherent. This evening the conversation went something like this:

"Mommy....I....wanted to make sure....I won't miss out....on..."
"What honey? What did you say?"
"Are you watching TV?"
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm watching TV."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Conman, honey, what are you afraid you'll miss out on?"
"Dunno."
"Okay then. Mommy won't let you miss out on anything if I can help it, okay?"
"Okay. Mmm...bed now."
"Okay sweetheart, let's go"

The fella jumped up off my lap and held my hand while I walked him back to the bedroom, helped him climb into bed and tucked him in, safe and sound, next to the stuffed beagle we call "Puppy". Kiss on the forehead from mom, and "I love you, son." / "I love you, mommy." exchange. I close the door with a great, big, huge smile on my face.

Just another day (or night) in paradise.