I have a feeling that our bedtime routine is going to be changing pretty soon as it looks like Benj's last days in a crib are upon us. So I thought I'd share a look at what our nightly routine is like now.
First, the kids go to bed around 6:30 or 7:00 depending mostly on how long Benj napped for in the afternoon. That's pretty early so in order to have time for baths, books, etc. we eat dinner between 5 and 5:30 on most nights. After dinner, Andrew and I clean up the kitchen and then he heads upstairs with the kids for bath time. The kids have been bathing together but recently Julia has wanted to sometimes take a shower instead so if that's the case then after Andrew runs Benjamin's bath I will get her settled in our shower.
After they're squeaky clean (and Andrew is good and soaked) Julia and Benj get on pjs and head back downstairs. It's clean-up time for whatever toys, games, books are out and then depending on the night they might have a snack/dessert or we'll just sit and watch a show (current favorites are Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Doc McStuffins).
After the show is over Julia jumps at the chance to ask me to carry her upstairs (before Benjamin can ask), we gather up No-No, some pom-poms, Benj's blankie, and a bottle and head upstairs where we first brush teeth, go potty, and change the diaper. Then it's hugs and kisses all around and I get Julia snuggled into bed while Andrew and Benjamin turn out the light. This is always followed by a chorus of "where did everybody go??" by everyone in the room!
I read a chapter or two from our latest book (currently it's Little Town on the Prairie) to everyone while Andrew sits with Benjamin in the rocking chair and gives him his bottle. Julia usually falls asleep while I'm reading but Benj gets put in his crib awake and usually requests a back rub and sometimes songs... and sometimes more songs and more back rubs... and then rolls around like a puppy until he's finally comfortable and goes to sleep!
So that's most nights... then there are the nights when they are just awake. Benjamin is just a matter of time and being patient enough to rub, rub, rub his back and wait til he's sleepy enough to not get upset when we leave. But for Julia it's several chapters of the book - punctuated with lots of "put your head down and close your eyes!" from me, followed by time for her to look at books by herself, followed by Andrew reading her The Bunny with the Golden Shoes (his magical sleepy book) which always does the trick!
So that's it for now, I'll let you know in a few weeks how this changes once Benjamin is in a bed he can freely escape from!!!
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