Mommy wake up calls….

It is appropriate that I’m writing this at 6 am, as my wake-up call this morning was quite unusual and rather early. Typically, I’m woken up by Mary Clare’s “I’m hungry” grunts as she rolls, and twists, and roots for her passy until I stuff her with formula. And any mom will tell you that on any given night the cries of a sick child, screams during a thunderstorm, or flood of urine soaking your pants/shirt from the child sleeping beside you can abruptly ruin a nice slumber and happens quite often. Unfortunately, I was even told recently this may happen for YEARS. So, I’ve given up on sleep and I resort to updating my blog.

This morning a bittersweet awakening happened. I had been up a few times with Mary Clare, but to my pleasant surprise, McCanless made it through most of the night without waking. Most nights she will wake, sit up in bed and yell out one of the following: “I’m alone in here!” “Somebody come get me!” “I have to go TEE TEE!!!” or “I TOLD you to lay down with me last night!!” over and over until one of us goes to her. Or sometimes eerily resembling a “Child of the Corn ” she will slowly creep down the hall calling us to come to her.

This morning, however, between grunts around 5 am a tiny, cold, soapy-smelling hand was shoved into my face. “Look Mommy, I washed my hands.” With heavy, sleepy eyes, I proudly smiled and grabbed my McCanless and pulled her into bed with me. She had woken up, walked down the hall to the bathroom, went to the potty, AND washed her hands, not even once yelling for me or her daddy as she normally would. It has taken over three and a half long years, but I think she finally can make it through the night without me.