Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Yesterday was a very long day for Mikayla.

I have been having problems with my back for about three weeks now. The doctor believes that it is just a pinched nerve and I'm hoping she's right. I have been ordered by Cullen not to do anything except sit on the couch (please don't tell him that this is what I do all day anyways).

Usually, Mikayla and I run around the house, throw balls, crawl on our hands and knees...stuff like that. Since I wasn't able to do much, Mikayla had to keep herself entertained. We found out when we moved here that if we stomp our feet and tell Mikayla, "I'm gonna get you!", she takes off running down the hallway and into the kitchen, laughing her butt off. I must have said this 100 times yesterday afternoon and she apparently tired herself out.

When it was time for her snack, I cut up an apple and plopped her in her highchair. I flipped on the TV for some background noise and started checking my email. About 5 minutes later I heard Mikayla snoring. I started picking up the apple bits on her tray and wiped her hands and face, without waking her up. She started mumbling (she talks in her sleep like her Daddy) and some apple pieces fell out. So, not wanting her to choke during her nap, I proceeded to try and wake her up to spit out the apple. She would crack her eyes and say random words like, "Kitty," and "Elmo". She refused to wake up enough so that she could comprehend me saying, "Spit. It. Out." My voice got gradually louder and louder. Finally, when the neighbors were wondering if I was killing her, she opened her eyes and said, "Mama!". How dare I wake her up! She spit out the apple and pointed to the stairs, "Ni-Ni." (sounds like hi, but with an "n") which means Night Night. Holy Jeez! My kid just asked for me to put. her. in. her. bed! Red Letter Day! I walked upstairs and placed her in her bed. She immediately rolled over on her belly and hugged Elmo tight. She turned to me, waved and said, "Bye!"

In that one second I was so very happy, yet, so very sad. Happy because it was great that for the first time, she was able to communicate to me that she wanted to goto bed. Sad because my little girl is growing up and is showing such independence. Before I blink, she'll be driving and graduating and having her own brats.