Up & At 'Em....early.

It is my birthday. Yay me! This time last year we got the "Groundhog Day Dump" and had about 2 feet of snow. Today, the lake in the backyard is barely even frozen at all (definitely can't walk on it, big puddles on top)!

Connor fell asleep with me on the couch last night at 7:15.

I carried him up to bed at 8:00. He normally goes to bed at 9:00. I realize this is probably late for most 3 year olds, but it is normal to him....

He joined us in bed this morning (he just climbs up and crawls in) at 3:00. I've been struggling with some early-morning insomnia (getting up right at about 3:45 most days). I decided to try to lay there for as long as possible. He was so still I thought he was out. At 4:00 I couldn't take it anymore and I tried very carefully to inch up without disturbing the covers too much and sit up. The exact second that I moved, even in the slightest, Connor sat straight up and then twisted himself around and got down off our [very high] bed. "Come on, Mom".

Oh buddy.

He came out into the living room and requested to watch Chuggington. (In his normal, mid-day voice.) He also wanted chocolate milk. I convinced him it was a better idea to go downstairs. "So, we are not loud to disturb Daddy?" Yes, bud. (I'm sure he is already awake by this point.) Connor helped himself to a Nutrigrain bar from the pantry. The light comes on when you open the door. "Wow, it is so bright in the pantry...but I can see the food. Hey Mom, are you going pee in the dark?" Yes, bud. "Because you don't want it to be bright?" Yes, bud. "I like to pee in the light." (he likely won't pee until about 10 or 11 this morning....I swear the child is a camel....)

I now have my coffee (he told me the Keurig was too loud and then said it sounded like a bumble bee) & 2 bananas and he is carrying 2 Nutrigrain bars for us...it is now 4:07 am! We head for the lower level/basement. He covers his head with his arms and tries to hold on to me and the bars. "We have to be very quiet so we don't wake up the fan." He has grown terrified of the utility room in the basement....where the heating unit is, etc. The "fan" is the heat coming on. The kid lives in Michigan, you'd think he'd appreciate a good heater?! Nope, if it is on, he won't go downstairs alone and if it is not on, he doesn't want to go down alone for fear that it will turn on while he is down there. However, once we are down there, if I'm with him, the "fan" doesn't bother him at all.

I've put a night light in that room and have explained over and over again that the kitties use the litterbox in there and the heater has never "gotten" them, I promise it is safe or I wouldn't let him go down there. (We don't close the door completely because their litter box is in there.) None of those things matter to him. I'm afraid it is because at one point we told him that he put anything down the heating/cooling vents that it would break the house. I also vaguely remember Brian mentioned something about a monster living beneath the drain on the patio under out deck as well....he associates them together. So, I guess the price I have to pay for not having cars down my vents is escorting Connor downstairs for a while.

Anyway, just thought I'd paint a little picture of our very early morning so far. He is watching Little Einsteins. "Don't you love that song, Mom?" (The Little Einsteins theme music.)

Changing subjects. I am currently sitting in my birthday present. :) Brian surprised me last week with a recliner from Costco that I wanted back in early January. (He was "against" it then.) I couldn't find a picture online, but I'll have to take a pic and add it. Most comfortable chair/recliner ever. It has 3 positions and it is like a cloud. I am so happy that we did so much work on our basement. I thoroughly enjoy coming down here now. :)