Nightly Routine

After bath, he's either cooperative or uncooperative in getting on his pj's. He asks for "book, bankie (blankie), pug (plug or pacifier), and milk." So that's what we do. In the quiet of his room, with only a lamp, and the fan running we sit and read and read and read. Whatever books he wants. He'll let you know by saying, "no" and pushing it away if you didn't pick the right one. Or he'll tell you, "Elmo or Caillou or whatever his favorite character of the week is. He's a boy who knows what he wants. This week he's been reading daddy's old favorite, "Rum, Pum, Pum." He occasionally takes a sip of milk but must always have his plug. What ever will we do when it's time to get rid of that thing? After a few books we brush our teeth and say good night. He says, "night-night mommy." Tonight I was on bedtime duty (Shannon and I take turns). Tonight he gave me the opportunity to hold him in my arms like I would when he was a baby. Only now he's heavy and so long most of his body is hanging off of me. I held him and sang to him, "You Are My Sunshine" and he listened and looked in my eyes just like he used to. And I had a moment, a moment I wanted to capture in time, as I thought how many more times will I get a chance to do this? Probably not many and I'm gonna miss it.