sleeping patterns, part 2

Lately we have been struggling with Liam not sleeping through the night and since we are too fatigued to put our foot down, we usually go in to his room and lie down with him until he settles down and goes back to sleep. The "we," however, is figurative because in the middle of the night there is only one parent and I'm it. If Andrew tries to take my place in Liam's bed, the "conversation" goes something like this,

"I want mama." Liam crying.

"Mama's sleeping, boo boo." Andrew tries to rub his back.

"No, I want mama!" Liam moving out of reach, sobbing.

"Don't you want, daddy? Daddy loves you." Andrew tries to stroke Liam's head.

"No! Mama! Mama!" Liam hysterically sobbing.

At this point, I'll enter the room. Andrew and I will give each other "the look," and I will grudgingly take over. Liam will immediately go from sobbing to little chocking gasps and then will whisper plantively as he pops his thumb in his mouth, "Will you lie with me a little bit?"

As uncomfortable as it is, I sardine myself next to him on his very uncomfortable 20-year-old twin matress and try not to so much as breathe or twitch a leg, in hopes that sleep will overtake him before it does me. Because there is nothing worse than actually falling asleep in that painfully uncomfortable state.

Once his thumb lies lazily on his lower lip, I figure it's safe to attempt my escape. First, sit up straight. Hold breath. Wait. Press hands gently into matress. Slide bottom down to the end of the bed. If creaking occurs, stop. Wait. Hold breath. Pause at the end of the bed. In one swoop, stand. (Bed creaks a lot at this point.) Freeze. Wait. Hold breath. Turn door knob. Slowly, slowly. Push door open quickly to avoid squeak. Stealthily begin to slip out. Until...

Plantive whisper from bed, "Will you lie with me a little bit?"

Hold breath. Begin crying.