A Short One-Act Play (Characters = 2)

As many of you know, last spring/early summer we struggled with Liv getting out of bed numerous (17 max) at bedtime. Once asleep all would be well; it was just the getting to sleep part that was so difficult. After talking to numerous people and getting over my "mean-mom" dilemma, we decided to "lock" her in her room (aka - using the video monitor to watch her jump out of bed while I raced frantically up the stairs in time to hold her door closed). This method took 3 days to work where we encountered a sad sort of knocking on the door as she requested sweetly to come out, followed by some crying, and finally by actual request to "lock the door tonight please, Mommy." Amazing.

Well, since it's been almost exactly a year, our slightly bigger, and much more intelligently smart Livy has decided to test the waters once again. After complaining to each other for the past week about how annoying it is that's Liv's getting up again, Brian and I decided to revisit our old methods.

And, by the way, I am typing this as I'm holding my post outside her bedroom door right now - the joys of laptops and video monitors.

Here's a record of tonight's episode (and I seriously hope there will be no re-runs).

(Setting: Liv's bedroom after reading 4 books, singing 2 songs, going potty, taking a drink of water, and checking for monsters in the closet.)

Me: Night-night Liv. Remember, if you get up tonight, Mommy's going to have to lock the door.

Liv: (Quiet in bed for 2 minutes - just enough for Mommy to run downstairs, grab her book and computer and the monitor. Getting up and running to the door) Mommy, I can't sleep.

Me: (Taking Liv back to bed) Okay, Liv, now Mommy is going to have to lock the door. (Leans down for one last kiss.)

Liv: (Grasping Mommy's neck as tightly as possible while lying down, then holding on as Mommy tries to stand up completely - beginning to whimper when Mommy disentangles her arms) Noooooo, Mommy, I love you....I REALLY love you!

Me: (Trying really hard not to laugh) Livy, I love you too, but it's time to go to sleep now.

Liv: (After being in bed for 1 minute, running to door while Mommy stands on the other side, holding the doorknob tightly in her hands) Mommy, I can't get out. My door is locked.

Me: (Mommy, staying strong, does not reply.)

Liv: (Going to her reading light and turning it on) Mommy, my light is on. Mommy, it's really bright in here. (Shuts light off and climbs back into bed when no response is given.)

(Intense crying, whimpering, ahhhh-ahh-ahhh-ing, and all other types of 3 1/2 year-old- I'm-trying-to-test-who's-in-charge noises heard from the room).

Liv: (Amidst all the noises and the occasional yawn that's covered up by more noises) Mommy, I really have to go potty....Mommy, I just bit my cheek....Mommy, I really miss Daddy; I really need him....Mommy, I am so thirsty....Mommy, there's monsters in my closet....Daddy, I miss you soooo much....Mommy, you're not being nice to me....Mommy, but I love you.

(Mommy vacillates between laughing, making frowny faces, almost crying in a "I-know-this-is-for-the-best" sort of way, and eventually sits down on the floor with her computer and opens it up to start typing a blog entry. All is quiet for 10 minutes as Mommy types. Thankfully, she doesn't go downstairs, because a now stealthier Liv gets quietly out of bed and races to the door. Mommy gets her hand on the doorknob in the nick of time.)

Liv: (Running back to bed with a longish sort of wail) Mommy, I love you....Mommy, I love you....Mommy, I really love you. (All crying stops 15 long seconds later...all quiet on the Olivia front.)

(End Scene)

Total Length = 10 - whoops, scratch that - 15 minutes. Stay turned for future minute updates.

Awwww, but isn't she so cute - gotta love that dimple.