Bedtime Poetry

A couple of nights ago, Holland was having one of those nights where she was not able to settle down and "turn her body and her thoughts off" (as we say). She was a chatter box and wanted to keep talking and talking and talking. As I was lying down and cuddling with her, she said, "Mommy, I love you more than anything." "I love you more than the moon loves the stars."

(kinda glad I hadn't enforced the "no talking" bedtime rule, yet!)

A few minutes went by and I left her in her room by herself to settle into dream land. I knew though that it was going to be an hour or so before she actually got calmed down (maybe it was the 4:00 in the afternoon chocolate milk that she ever so sweetly asked Grandpa for....). Not sure what it was exactly, but she was definitely not headed to la-la land anytime soon.

A couple of minutes went by, and she jumped out of her bed and ran to find Jonathan.

"Daddy, Daddy, I have to tell you something!", she exclaimed.
"Yes?", he answered.
"I love you more than the sun loves the earth."

And then she scurried back to her bed.

About ten more minutes went by, and I heard the pitter patter of her little feet sneaking up the stairs into our bedroom.
"Mommy?" she sheepishly called out.
"Yes?", I replied.
"I have to tell you something."
"Okay. What is it?"
"I love you more than all the creatures love their mamas."
"Thanks, sweetie. And I love you more than all the mamas love their creatures!"
(how else was I suppose to respond?!)

So, needless to say there were a few more poetic professions of love that evening. And you know what? I embraced every one of them and gently placed her back in her bed each time. There may come a time when her expressions of love come to a hault, and I'm just not ready to miss out on those. Bedtime or not!