Tears Bring Out the Best in Brigid

Well, the girls were understandably tired this morning. This back-to-school thing is grueling, and they're not used to the pace. Margaret went to bed at 7:30 last night and was out by 7:40. Patricia followed at 8. It's a good thing they haven't really started getting any kind of homework assignments yet because they've needed these first few days to recharge and get back into the swing of a routine. Even Brigid's schedule has been thrown off somewhat. First, she doesn't have her big sisters around all day and has to get used to the morning routine again; second, I've been getting up in the morning, leaving her in bed without Mommy or mah mah mah to soothe her back to sleep beyond 8 a.m. So she's been up about 7:45 the last couple of mornings. It might help get her back to a normal nighttime sleep pattern, although the two don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. I put her to bed last night about 9 p.m. (two hours earlier than the night before!) and although she cried, she didn't cry very long before she was out.

We had a mishap earlier in the day that brought about tears (from Patricia and Brigid) and blood (from Brigid. Patricia was giving Brigid a piggyback ride around the house and she slipped on the hardwood floor in the living room. They both went down, and Patricia did her best to protect Brigid but somehow Brigid ended up with a little bloody nose. Brigid cried, but Patricia was beside herself with remorse, crying almost uncontrollably, telling Brigid she was so sorry. It broke my heart because Brigid was fine. Patricia just felt so guilty for hurting her baby sister. All was well a few moments later when Brigid started smiling and laughing. And then her face got very serious and concerned when she saw the tears on Patricia's face and in her eyes. She touched Patricia's face, touched her tears and said something in Brigid Babble. She then hugged her and kissed her. Brigid learns empathy.