Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Putting a big boy to bed...

I glance at the clock - 7:02.

"Time for your bath!!!" I announce with joy. It has been a long day. A day filled with whining and crying and demanding. I am ready for bedtime.

My babies race into the bedroom, already ripping and pulling at their clothes. I undress them, and they excitedly run toward the bathroom. Porgie jumps in, without any help. Izzy grunts and points at the water until someone helps him get in. They hang foam letters on the wall, they splash, they brush their teeth, they splash some more.

I lift Izzy from the tub and drape a towel over his head. He chatters happily, while running to the changing table. He adores our bedtime rituals. I diaper his little bottom and rub him down with lotion. As usual, he tries to eat lotion out of the tube, and gets very upset when I try to stop him. I manage to wrestle him into his pajamas just as Porgie and John makes their way to the changing table.

Izzy and I sit in the rocking chair together. I read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, while Izzy shoves his chubby little fingers into the holes on each page. As John finishes dressing Porgie, we sing 5 Little Duckies.

I take my sweet baby boy to his bedroom. I turn on his sound machine and turn off the lights. He nurses, while I gently rub his fuzzy little head. He grabs a few strands of my hair and absentmindedly plays with them. After a few minutes, he is done. He rolls off my lap and runs across the room. I chase him down and deposit him into his crib, while singing Sweet and Low. He loves Sweet and Low. It always calms him down. I kiss his chubby cheek and whisper, "I love you Buddy."

Our routine is so easy and effortless. It is beautiful really. And so enjoyable. I wish I could freeze time, and stay in this stage forever. My little guy is so much fun.

22 comments:

Amanda said...

What a perfect way to end the day, for both you and your two sweet babies.
l,
Amanda x

Nicole S. said...

sounds very relaxing for both of you - aahhhhhh :)

Christy said...

Aww so sweet. I love our evening routine too.

Laura Marchant said...

Ours is similar and I love it too. I really hate that they are growing up

Just Jiff said...

awwww. That's so sweet and perfect.

Danielle said...

awe. what a sweetie

Nancy said...

Sounds like a wonderful end to the day. :) I'm lucky that my boys are all easy to get to bed too.

Anonymous said...

I am envious! Will is a TERROR to put to bed. I've tried everything. I have finally given up & let him lie on the sofa with me watching tv until he falls to sleep, then I lug his 40 lb ass up to his bed.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

That's very sweet. I miss that.

My kids now play the defiance game every night.

amanda said...

love it friend...one of your sweetest posts ever :)

Jen said...

My son does NOT go to bed that easy. WTF? He loves bath, bottle and books, but hates BED. I gotta get that 4th "B" workin for us.

Clare said...

sounds like a great little bedtime routine, and a lot like ours!! love it!

Cristina Mathers said...

so sweet! routine is amazing. we have practically the same one.

Kris said...

Aww.. I am so bad with ours. Its changed several times... Last night went so well though, so hopefully we'll get on a good track like that too.

Marni's Organized Mess said...

:-) What a beautiful story. I love those moments.

Antropóloga said...

Sounds more fun than sitting there for half an hour on a little stool trying to read by a nightlight! Very nice. :)

Chris said...

Bedtime can be so much fun with rituals like that! And I hear you - I'd love to freeze time about now too. :)

dani said...

if you could freeze time, i'd invest, christy!!! it flies by so quickly ( i type as my 16 year-old lies asleep next to me)...
much love,
dani xxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx said...

That is beautiful. I am so jealous; our bedtimes have never been easy here.

Carrie said...

I so need to learn how to get Liv on a schedule. I want an evening routine like that!

Anonymous said...

oh, so sweet. i love it.

Rachel said...

What a great post/letter to izzy. I felt as if I was there watching you..