Bedtime
Brooke is learning the art of stalling before bedtime.
The bedtime routine begins smoothly enough as Brooke drinks some milk while I read her books. When she’s done with her milk, Brooke runs to her room to find Bear and Monkey. These are two stuffed animals (of a bear and a monkey, wouldn’t you know) that Brooke insists on sleeping with. Brooke holds Bear and Monkey while I pick up all three to put them in her crib. Brooke sees where she’s headed and immediately throws Bear and Monkey down so that I have to put her down so she can retrieve them. At first I thought this was happening accidentally. However, after several days of “accidentally” dropping Bear and Monkey, I started to wise up.
Now it’s at the point where she brings me Bear and Monkey and I immediately throw them into the crib right then and there. Ha! Point for Mom.
Next it was the pacifier. I would give Brooke her pacifier and lift her into bed. Since she no longer had Bear or Monkey to throw, she started chucking her pacifier. Rascal.
Now I don’t give her her pacifier until she’s in her bed already. Ha! Another point for Mom.
But before Brooke gets in her crib, I point to the picture of Jesus above her bed. She in turn points to the ceiling where the smoke detector is. She’s fascinated with that. Maybe it’s just another stall tactic. Hmm. I guess Brooke gets a point there.
Finally, I lay Brooke down. She cuddles Monkey in one arm and Bear in the other. I go to put her pacifier in her mouth, but at this point every night Brooke realizes she has so much to say. Thus begins her babbling. She talks and talks and talks. I can’t bear to put the pacifier in her mouth because her babbling is so dang cute. So I listen. And talk back. And listen some more.
And before I know it, I realize I’ve just gotten sucked into another stall tactic.
In the end, I finally leave Brooke to finish the conversation in her own due time. As I leave, I turn around and see this:
And I realize I never want anything about this routine to change.
October 8, 2008 @ 8:47 am
She is so cute when going to bed. I have to say one of my favorite times of the day is putting Hailee to bed. We have had some really great conversations as she falls off to dreamland. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
October 8, 2008 @ 11:51 am
I totally know what you mean, those moments are precious and they’re going to be gone too quickly! I have to say Brooke’s stuffed animal names are as original as ours, but they don’t quite have Dolly’s beauty! Thanks for sharing!
October 8, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Oh, so precious. This is my favorite post ever! Sometimes I get frustrated with my lil’ one’s “games” but when I stop to enjoy the moment and recognize her cuteness, I realize…well….I wouldn’t change a thing! Well said, Rebeca! Oh my gosh, Brooke is adorbable. No wonder she gets so many “points”. hehehe
I’m subbing for Deana Richins for three weeks starting Friday! Was I crazy for saying yes? Wish me luck!
October 13, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
how cute! Don’t you love how fast they learn tricky things like that?
October 14, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
I love this post! Brooke is so beautiful. Thanks for the advice on the introduction of solid foods. We’ll see how round two goes!
October 15, 2008 @ 8:26 am
Ha, that is so funny, she’s got you wrapped around her little finger! I don’t blame you though she is so dang cute!! Ethan hasn’t started those tactics yet, I’m worried he will soon though.