i have been working in the evenings, work that requires serious computer time, and thus i have been very proprietary regarding my hours spent child-free. now, that is not an exact statement--not child-free, rather child-asleep. as such, bedtime is now an entirely different event. before i felt compelled to start working no later than 8 pm, i would lie quietly with both kids til they were both asleep. this would be preceeded of course with reading and quiet reflection on the day, but after books were over and it was quiet time, then i would get my book and read while they settled down. then, before i started to work, carter suddenly developed a need to be rocked to sleep in the glider. i have no idea why. if i suggested snuggling up on the bed, he would sob and wail. this coincided with ava wanting me to make her a little nest on the floor--several blankets laid on the floor for her to sleep on, with a pillow and a blanket to go over her. so, everything changed--carter and mom in the rocker/glider, ava on the floor of her own volition. then i started to work. and several days into it, i told ava that i was not going to be rocking next to her, that i had to work. no protest, she was fine with that--as long as i was in the room with her, she was happy. and my desk is in the room. but then what to do with carter? i cannot type with him in my arms, and he won't lie on the bed, let alone without me. so, one evening when he was resisting sleep, i just looked at him and said "mommy has to work now--you can sit next to me for as long as you like, but you have to be quiet and still" -- lo and behold, he nodded. so i plunked him down next to me, and he did exactly what i told him--he sat and watched me work -- without moving a muscle -- until his eyes slowly closed and he leaned against me and fell asleep. it was very endearing. life is getting easier in teeny tiny increments.