3 in the bed

Since Hubbee's departure, I have found myself in the midst of a "bed" situation. Though my little bee's intentions are sweet, I have come to decide that three in the bed is most oftentimes one too many (and in the case of toddlers, two too many)!

Baby bee has recently taken up a midnight nightcap. She has figured out that she can effectively use all of her 23 pounds to "bump" her crib into the wall. If this tactic doesn't quickly produce the results which she wants (i.e. a sippee cup of milk and some quality time in Mama bee's bed) she then somehow manages to fart a smell so potent that an unassuming house guest would conclude that she has an upset tummy and a poopy diaper. Once Baby bee is saved from her "nightly cage of turmoil" she gleefully giggles and runs into Mama's bedroom with her chubby hands clasped around her sippee cup. Then she pats the bed with the previously said chubby hand and says, "Mama, up." After being lifted into the bed, Baby bee chooses her pillow, pulls back the covers in her desired location and lays down. Laying down might not be the correct descriptive word, however wallow would be. After she has finalized her wallowing ritual she then pulls up the comforter so it rests right under her chin. It is imperative that the comforter is bunched up under her chin or the whole ritual begins again. But if her "snuggling" and "swaddling" goes as desired she then takes back up her sippee cup and drinks sips intermixed with jabbering and the occasional real word. Sometimes, I think she wakes up only because she figures she has something to say.

Once Baby bee has had her fill of both milk and conversation and has successfully been put back into bed, it is only a few short hours until Busy bee makes his appearance.

Busy bee's approach to receiving a bed invite is a little bit different than Baby bee's. Busy bee can be heard at first by a low whine which quickly turns into a pitiful fake cry. If he isn't answered within the first few minutes of such theatrics he then chooses the more direct route of calling out "MOM" over and over. Once, I have given the verbal invite for him to leave his bed, Busy comes running into mine with his bear blanket and as many cars as he can hold in his little grasp. He then tells me to "Wake up" and climbs into bed. He lays down so our faces are a mere inch away from each other and then says, "Milk, Mama. Movie please" in his most plaintive voice. After this, my day has begun whether I wanted it to or not.

Lately, one might say of our hive, "There were three in the bed and the little one says, 'Nite, nite'." And they'd be right.

Getting Comfortable

There have been quite a few changes at our hive recently and we are all learning to adjust to them...one could say we are trying to "get comfortable."

As part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom surge, Hubbee, has ventured from our humble hive to a hive buzzing with turmoil. All the while, the little bees and I are trying to make the best of a situation completely out of our hands. We are trying to convert to our new roles and regain a semblance of structure and schedule. Our journey to "Comfortable" has seen us cry, act out in fits of rage, felt our sorrow, but more importantly has taught us of our strength. We have learned about world geography (Busy bee can point out Iraq on a map) and exotic animals (camels.) We have learned new skills (vehicle maintenance and a sundry of small home improvements/repairs.) We have learned to trust one another and more importantly in God and his will. We have learned to enjoy the small moments. And we have learned to respect the many men and women who put their lives on the line and leave their families to support our nation in a cause, whether they believe in the same course of action or not.

I can't say that we have reached Comfortable yet but we are on our way. Every day will find us at a fork in the road. Every day has the potential for smooth roads or mountainous trails. Every day will show us what we are made of, but who ever enjoyed comfort without first knowing it's other extreme.