Goodnight Little Thief

It's been so hot here in Norfolk that we're doing things like filling up our kiddie pool and diving in mostly naked.  My washing machine is certainly getting a work-out, as we all have about three changes of clothes per day, plus all the towels that have snots, poop, dead bugs and dirt on them need more than a "hang-up" every once in a while.  We used 12 CCFs of water last month.  That's a pretty hefty water bill and I'm feeling semi-guilty about it.  Alas, my children are fascinated with water.  Well, June is absolutely obsessed with water.

But there are other issues going on in our house that need to be mentioned, that have been keeping us up at night.  Screaming, thrashing, staring into the dark...  I know you think this little munchkin must be the culprit stealing our sleep:

Charlotte just shy of 3 months

I assure you she is not.  Let me fill you in.  Back in January we decided that it was time to put James and June in a room together.  The baby would soon be here and she would soon need June's room, which is the "baby room/ office" off Mommy and Daddy's bedroom.  So, I designed a quiet little cove in the corner of James' room with curtains that come down for privacy.  I framed and hung up a mirror and beautiful art work.  I thought she would love it. 

 She, of course did not.  People kept saying, "They'll adjust to each other's sleeping habits, they'll feel more secure with one another."  Balogna.  We gave it a good go. Five whole months of June squawking, sometimes going to sleep at around 10, sometimes not....only to find James tossing and turning, moaning for her to be quiet, while she laughed and talked to the the angels again, at 11, 1, 3 in the morning.  We were all exhausted, including June.  My husband is one of those husbands who gets up in the night with the kids.  I know.  I'm spoiled.

So....we finally figured out that June really wanted her old room back.  She just couldn't tell us.  We knew we were going to have to do some major rearranging and streamlining, because, after all, she needed a "safe place" without cords, or things she could get into, eat or dismantle.  Rich and I created this little place for her this last weekend.  It has all her favorite things.  Notice there are no pretty pictures on the walls for her to pull down.  It has just the essentials:

The gate keeps her from entering the office area

So June has stolen her room back and I am happy to report that she LOVES it.  She spends hours up there playing her keyboard, receiving vest therapy, rocking on her rocking chair (upside-down of course) or just destroying the basket of toys. 

This is not all June has stolen from her sister.  Clearly, she is trying to re-live her baby days:

So all this work, and my little thief is now sleeping peacefully up in her room (we get a little help from 5 mg of melatonin as well).  I guess all that advice about autistic children needing a quiet, cozy room is really true for my baby anyway.  It's been a week now.  So far, so good. Thank you God!