Someone's been sleeping in our bed, these past few weeks.  She's not been feeling well, and to be honest, she just is a cuddler and dislikes sleeping alone.  She is happiest when she's snuggled up next to one of us.  As much as she and Parker bicker and argue during the day, they beg to sleep together at night.  When we don't allow it (because they inevitably giggle for hours or start fighting instead of going to sleep), then this is what happens.... Sometime between 3am and 5am, we'll hear our doorknob turn and then we'll feel a little girl crawl up from the foot of the bed.  Wordlessly, she slips in between us and settles her little knees right into her Daddy's back.  He doesn't sleep well after that, and neither do I, but Lila is blissfully unaware of our tossing and turning and inching to the outer edges of the bed so that she can sleep sideways in the middle.

The practical mama inside me wants to send her back to her own bed, to help her learn how to sleep in her bed all night, like a big girl.  After three babies, I just want a good night's sleep again.  Daddy has to get up early to go to the gym, and I have work to do the next morning.

But... the sentimental part of me doesn't mind one bit.  The sappy mama I am, I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull the covers up over her and spoon her until my back aches.  I share my pillows with her and scoot to the edge of the bed and think, "Someday she won't want to sleep with us, she'll think it's silly and we will embarrass her and she will want to walk 10 steps behind us everywhere we go.... so I will enjoy this night, this gift, while I have it in my arms."

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These photos were taken on two different mornings this month.  I took both of them with my iPhone when I woke up and opened the blinds.  I didn't have time to get the big camera out, and Lila had to wake up and get ready for preschool in a hurry.  But I had my phone on my nightstand, so I grabbed it right away, stood on the bed just below her feet, and shot from about eye level down at her.  I processed them both with PicTapGo and then easily published to my Instagram feed.  I have so many images of her sleeping so sweetly.  I think maybe I'll make a book out of them all.

If you are like me, and can't always grab your big camera with your own kids this summer, then at least use your phone to document the fun stuff... the stuff you don't want to forget, and the things you want to remind them of someday.  My good friend Angie Warren has recently published an e-book called Snap Filter Share about using your mobile phone to artfully document your family, how to share them online, and even print them to keep (you betcha I'm printing these).  To get your own copy, go HERE.  It's an amazing purchase (only $25!), and you don't have to be a professional photographer in order to put her techniques to use and create beautiful images with your phone today.  Like, right this minute.

And now I feel kind of sleepy again.  Must have been those two little knees in my back all night.  ;)

xo, Stacey