Today's Win: Arrivederci!
Dear Dad,
It's been a long day. You've just fallen asleep. It's near 4pm. It took 3 tries since 4am to get you to sleep. You've been fighting sleep for the past two nights and we are all exhausted of this behavior.
For breakfast, I played the usual Frank Sinatra playlist but you weren't having it. Instead, you wanted to talk. So I stopped the music and listened even though I didn't really understand what you were saying. Every time I went to make eye contact, I was surprised to find you were looking at me already. I nod, agree, and laugh when you laugh.
You were just happy to have an audience.
Once fed, medicated, and listened to (for two hours non-stop) — only then did I manage to get you back to your room.
I wouldn't normally try to get you to sleep in the middle of the afternoon but after not sleeping for longer than 10 minutes at a time over the span of 48+ hours... you need to rest.
And so do I.
Today's tactic was that I had to physically tuck you in. And tucking you in required me to turn your entire body so you weren't facing the very edge of the bed.
You stiffened up when I told you I'm going to turn you to the side and when I say I won't let you fall... you didn't believe me until I was already covering you with the blanket, facing the other direction.
I repeatedly tell you to rest. To sleep. I pat your butt like you did when I was a kid. You're like a toddler that's too tired but doesn't know what to do about it. I float my hand over your face and run my fingers down, as if a witch casting a spell: "Close your eyes."
"Daddy, you need to rest... ok? Close your eyes."
"Okay just for now."
"Okay, I'll be right outside. Close your eyes."
"Okay, sayonara!!"
I laugh, because what the fuck is that... so random and reply, "Okay, arrivederci!"
You smile with your eyes closed and repeat, "arrivederci!"
And now you're snoring.