June 30, 2005
Routines and rituals
Every morning during our commute, Tara sits in her car seat and nibbles on toast or a bagel, watching a movie in the DVD player. I tilt my rear view window to get a peek at her. She always catches me doing this and smiles back at me, sometimes she shows me her bagel and says, "na na-na na." It's our little joke. I put on my sunglasses, she puts hers on, usually upside down. I sip my coffee and settle into the freeway; she sips her water and slams it back into the holder. I know the words to the movie "Finding Nemo" and sometimes recite them in a goofy voice with the cartoon, Tara shouts,"no!" We both laugh. Most mornings now when we arrive at her pre-school, she waves and says goodbye, then strolls off to play with her new friends. Now I'm the one with the separation anxiety.
This morning routine is comforting to both of us since our worlds turned upside 10 weeks ago. The new American likes to know what is coming next. Don't we all? At night, our routine is well established. A shower, lotion on her arms and legs, a book or two, a song or two. Sometimes she cries a little before she falls asleep, I stand in the hallway and wait a few minutes. If I go in, this ritual will repeat over and over into the night. So I wait. Go to sleep, little angel, we'll all still be here tomorrow morning. I promise.
Posted by Laura at June 30, 2005 10:16 PMPosted to Tara's Story
Awww, I teared up at this. I do remember those bedtimes with Marika. And it was the same: it could go on all night! (And sometimes seemed like it did!) Often, after toothbrushing, back-rubbing and talking about something "important" (she always perked up about 10:15pm)I used to fall asleep next to her on her twin bed right on the edge (not committing, you see--this went on til she was 10) and then I'd jerk awake when I started to fall off! Then I would go downstairs and fall asleep in the recliner (this was my "me" time), wake up about 1am and finally go to bed!
Bedtime Styles of the Modern Mom & Baby.
Hi Laura,
I'm so glad that you and Tara have your routine down now. You just brought back so many wonderful memories of when my kids were little. I still come to your blog almost everyday looking to see what updates you have. I miss you all back home. We are doing well and settled into our new life here in Las Vegas! Take care and god bless your family!
Lots of Love,
Lori
I remember those days too when CJ was small. A couple of Barney tunes, the Elmo song, and bedtime was a go.
My friend from FBI called, she was told to make sure the fur hat was less than 20 dollars so she can keep it and not have to turn it in. She was so delighted with it. She said everyone in the unit had to try it on. She asked about Tara, she was so glad to hear things are going good. I thanked her for her help in the "FREE LAURA" matter, she said, "Well there are just some things that need to get done, and getting your sister and her daughter home was definitely something that needed to get done."