Tuesday 3 July 2007

The secret life of Bambi

'Mummy... ,' said Bambi as I was putting her to bed, 'I'm not going to cry and I'm not going to call you back.'

Well, that's a relief, I thought. I'm not very good at guilt before bedtime.

'Lovely, honey, now go to sleep.'

'And I'm not going to hide behind my curtains. And I'm not going to look in my cupboard. And I'm not going to play I spy with Teddy.'

Hey ho! What! Get out of bed? After I've turned the light out? Clearly there has been a little nocturnal action I didn't know about.

We used to listen to Bambi as she fell asleep through the baby monitor. She would begin with conversation and word experimentation. Teddy would be instructed in the ways of the toddler - she'd cover eating with a spoon, drinking through a straw and list her favourite menus - with a strong, but not entirely accurate, focus on chocolate. And then she would sing, which would send her to sleep.

Being a bit concerned about the bedtime conversation I turned on the monitor again for the first time in a long while. There was a bit of muffled conversation and a clear rendition of Twinkle Twinkle before the silence of sleep.

But it was telling that her soft animals were lined up in a row on the floor this morning, carefully covered by a blanket.

'Do you think they slept well Bambi?'

'Yes Mummy. I sang them a lubyebye...'

17 comments:

Annie said...

Very, very cute. Reminds me of the three books I read to Miss E last night - from the 'Ten in the Bed' series - where the little one does just what Bambi did. They're great books with beautiful illustrations, I recommend them if you see them.

Daniele said...

Adorable!! Makes me consider wanting kids after all. Seriously.. you and StayAtHomeDad...

Kim said...

So sweet. I honestly miss those days. Having an almost-grown daughter has its pleasures and satisfactions, but there is nothing quite like having your little one reveal herself to you as she grows. The best is yet to come for you and Bambi.

The Good Woman said...

Thanks Annie - I'll have a look out.

Dee - go on....

Kaycie - I can't see how it could get better but I do hope you're right!

Sparx said...

Next she'll be reading under the covers with a torch! I love that she sings her teddies a lubyebye

The Good Woman said...

Hi Sparx - that's also one of my favourite Bambi-isms.

Drunk Mummy said...

One of mine used to sing 'Happy Birthday' to get to sleep. It used to sound like we had a party drunk upstairs, singing away. (And no, it wasn't me - I was downstairs serenading my wine bottle!)

Anonymous said...

Visiting from TopBlogMag. What a lovely blog! I will surely be back.

Anonymous said...

How sweet. I listen to Amy playing with her teddies every night when I've said goodnight. I haven't a clue what time she goes to sleep!

You reminded me of her baby monitor which used to play us music and sound out a child crying. That was after Amy had gone to sleep by the way...

Crystal xx

Stay at home dad said...

Very very sweet. She sounds so happy, which is lovely.

Btw, have you ever thought about the implictions of being Bambi's mum?!

lady macleod said...

aw!!!!!!! so lovely! *sniffle* thank you, after visiting debio I was quite sad. i can just hear Bambi's little voice singing to her animals. *sigh* lovely, really just lovely.

The Good Woman said...

Well at least it's a festive choice Drunk Mummuy. Can't go wring with that!

hope to see you again soon Nutmeg.

Crystal - the only music we get is the toddler medley! Must be a different model...

SAHD - actually, no. I hadn't. What a very morbid thought. Thanks for that*&%(*%!

Yes, Lady M. It is lovely. Long may it last. Now off to Debio...

debio said...

lovely, simply lovely. Every stage of my child's life has been my favourite - they are a joy, don't you think....

The Good Woman said...

Completely Debio, completely.

Elsie Button said...

that is so sweet - lucky teddies to have such a delightful owner.

Motheratlarge said...

Agree with Elsie Button, lucky teddies. Bedtime adventures, how nice! The Bean sometimes like to sing herself to sleep, though at this stage (15 months) it is more a tuneless humming, to be strictly accurate. I still enjoy listening to her very much!

Anonymous said...

Bambi is my kind of girl. Perhaps you should both make them up a bed and sing together.