I Am Safe

Ever since that first night of Ellie's high fevers, we have been co-sleeping again so I could take care of her. Or, I should really say, "couch sleeping". We moved ourselves to the loft where Ellie has been sleeping on the little couch and I on the big one. It worked better this way while she was sick since neither one of us could sleep very well and the loft has a TV with 24 hours a day of Noggin available! Now that she's better, I will have to convince her to start sleeping back in her big girl bed...but, again, it's been fun telling stories and playing games as we fall asleep each night. And it's neat to hear glimpses of her inner mind when she talks in her sleep or when she tells me about her dreams when she first wakes up.
Last night, for instance, she was having what I imagine was some sort of scary dream and she woke up saying these words with complete confidence and assurance.

"I am safe. I am safe. Mommy and Daddy are always with me. Nothing is ever scary. I am safe."

And then she rolled over and went right back into a sound sleep.

It made my heart swell. We tell her anytime something scares her (usually the dark or something silly on Noggin) "You are safe." and that "Mommy and Daddy and your Angel are always with you. Even if we are not in the same room, we are still with you." I was proud of her for remembering our words and using them to not feel scared when waking from a bad dream. She didn't call out for me or get in bed with me...she felt protected enough with just her words. And that makes me feel like, that as a parent, I actually did something right. :)