Bedtime Rituals....

Anyone remember when reading a good book put you to sleep....a deep sleep that even an earthquake couldn't disturb? Anyone, anyone? NOT ME! Ok, granted...it's my fault for not listening to Chris, Sue and Mo when they suggested reading wonderful books that help a 1st time Mom get into a routine...and it's my fault that Ky was in bed with us until he was at least 6 months....and then at 12 months when he had a cold and...well you get the picture. I was even laying on the couch with him until all hours just waiting for him to pass out and even still he'd be up calling for Mommy several times a nite.

I am proud to say that at the ripe ol' age of 19 months Kyle is (drum roll please) sleeping through the nite...nite....nite. We watch the trusted Elmo's world, read a book and talk about Kyle's bed for na-nite time. He now happily goes upstairs, we turn on his music and he lay's in bed......But, there's a catch. Kyle does not have a trusted woogy, or teddy, or blanky...in the place of those normal conforting things is Mom's hand. You heard me; I have to stand at his crib and hold his hand until he falls asleep. There is the occasional nite when I try to slip my hand out ever so swiftly and creep out and he quickly wakes and calls out for "Mommy's hands". Heck - I'll take it cause once he's out, he's pretty much out. So - I now agree with creating bedtime rituals and (shout out to the secret) I tell myself several times before bed "my family will sleep well tonite". That said, I still don't sleep well...always one ear open for the little Toots Magee calling for Mommy's hands! Sweet dreams...........