We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Bed
Most nights, in the wee hours of morning (you know, 12:10 am) this wee little one comes sneaking into our wee little bed. At first, she clings to the edge right next to me, but she slowly worms her way into a position that is more in keeping with her idea of her importance as the baby of the family. And we have a full size bed.
We are not reluctant family bedders by any means. It’s how we roll and we dig it. We used to have bigger beds, appropriate for all kinds of family bed configurations. We started with a queen, then a twin pushed up to the queen, then a full and a queen together, then back to just a queen when Lena and Liberty stopped coming in our bed every night, then we needed a new mattress and my in-laws were getting rid of a like-new full mattress, so we snatched it up thinking Maya’s just one kid, how much space can she take up? The answer is: As much as she wants.
We have always wanted a king size bed, but it has never worked out, what with being hopelessly cheap budget-minded and hopelessly afraid of having to move such a large bed. But now that we have a house and that full size mattress is nearing the end of its life and we still have bedtime barnacles, it’s time to spring for a proper king size bed. Even Lena and Liberty like to have a turn sleeping in there once in a while, but that takes much planning and there just isn’t room for Bryan’s long arms and legs, plus either Lena’s or Liberty’s Bryan-in-miniature long arms and legs, plus me. Forget about princess wing-span joining in.
Also, evening family lounging is our favorite thing. It would be lovely if we could all cuddle up on the big bed and read books or watch movies or play games together like in the old queen plus full days. And it would be super lovely to not wake up with Maya’s elbow in my mouth.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:03 am
We recently went from a King to a Queen and I hate it. I like that we have more room in the bedroom – but hate that I have to share more space in the bed! But it could be I’m also sharing my body with a growing fetus…hmm?
We’ve delegated our kids to the floor if they want to “sleep with” us…nice little blankets and pillow ‘beds’…
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Abby Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I think pregnant mommies get the bed all to themselves until the baby comes. That’s the rule.
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January 27th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Don’t cheat yourselves – go with Emperor size!
(My grandparents had one in a room after their 5 kids flew the nest. There was ample space for me and most of my cousins.)
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Abby Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
I had no idea there even was such a thing! How fun for you and your cousins.
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January 27th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I love our king. Most nights I end up with the dog pressed against one side and the kid against the other. Keeps me warm! If we had had more than one, we’d have had a life-raft worth of mattress real estate in our room.
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Abby Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Yes, it was exactly like stringing life-rafts together. All three girls still remember our multiple mattresses fondly. I’m hoping by spring we’ll have a big cozy nest again.
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January 27th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
In sleep language, Maya is telling you that she feels completely safe and untroubled.
When I was 16 years old and just starting college, my dear (famous) brother Bob had a disastrous motorcycle accident that left him unconscious for several days and in the hospital for many weeks. I, a grown-up young lady, had to start sleeping in my parents’ room. I didn’t get all the way in bed with them, but I had to be on the sofa nearby, until the worst of it was over.
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Abby Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Aw, that is a sweet image. Except for the terrible motorcycle accident. I bet it felt good to know you could sleep near them again. You know, my father-in-law was in a coma for a while after his motorcycle accident, too. Danger! Is Bob your (famous) brother who leaves funny comments on your blog all the time? He should totally get a blog.
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January 28th, 2010 at 1:00 am
Yes, that’s Bob. I have tried to talk him into blogging–or even helping me out with mine–but he’s a stubborn sort. Rick didn’t meet Bob until long after the motorcycle accident, and he thought that’s why Bob was “like that.” But I assured him Bob was “like that” long before he smashed his head on the pavement. Miraculously, after all that trauma, Bob was returned to us as good as new.
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February 16th, 2010 at 9:20 am
I don’t think that it would matter if your whole entire bedroom was a bed. That elbow will still end up in your mouth and you will still end up on the edge of the mattress, holding on for dear life.
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