Night Time Routine

We've got a bedtime routine. They (those child researchers) say that children benefit from having a routine. So we try to stick to it. Basically we have dinner, go for a walk, take a bath, brush teeth, read books, have milks and songs and say goodnight to Dickie the Cat and Pops. On average he goes to bed at 7:30. Some nights he goes to bed much earlier (as early as 6/6:30 if he didn't nap) and as late as 8:30...but we are pretty good at getting him down by 7:30 most nights.

He loves bathtime most nights. If he's tired they won't last long at all but he has been known to take 45 minute marathon baths.

Tongs are great toddler toys.

Sometimes Mike or I will join him. Here he is with Pops (he calls Mike "Pops" now, sometimes...it's hilarious.)

Here he is on one of our after dinner walks. Lately we've been just doing one block because it's dark and cold. I think it's a good habit to get into...I think it is nice to leisurely walk after dinner and work off the food a bit before we retire. It's also a nice thing to do as a family - Dickie the Cat joins us sometimes - plus it gets the last bit of energy out of the indefatigable Bear.

See, here is the kitty cat joining us. She went around the block with us this day:

Some days it takes forever to just go around one block because the cub wants to sit and explore the cracks on the sidewalk:

Some days we are lucky because we discover plums or pears on the ground or a rainbow in the sky:

We have been brushing his teeth since he got them. When he just had two I wasn't as diligent but ever since he got them all we've been brushing them at least every evening. We started with this flouride free stuff by Earth's Best which is safe to swallow since he wasn't good at spitting. Now he is wonderful at spitting so we use the kid's toothpaste by Tom's of Maine. He really enjoys gargling the water and spitting it out. Every other night I go over his teeth myself (after he has had a go) because I don't think he is very good at getting all the nooks and crannies yet. 

We usually read about 3 books per night. He definitely has his favorites...they change frequently but then he'll bring them back in rotation. Some of his favorite titles off the top of my head are, Plenty Saimin, My Tutu Kane and Grandpa, The Bear Under the Stairs, Trucks, My First Book of Sushi, The Loud Book, and Limu the Blue Turtle.  We have finally visited the city library and have checked out books and videos. It's fun to try new books!

While I nurse him (after story time) I sing to him. I usually sing Skinamarinky Dinky Dink, Oh Little Playmate, You Are My Sunshine, Mama Loves You (written by my Auntie Meg!), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Stay Awake (from Mary Poppins). He is usually still awake after nursing and songs so then we search for Dickie the Cat and give her a pat or sometimes a kiss and hug and then he gives Papa a kiss and hug. Lately Mike has been carrying him to the crib and then I will settle him in. Sometimes it's a simple, "Good night, I love you so much!" and other nights it's that plus going through all his lovies, i.e. "And here's your polar bear." "Tuka? Nana?" "Yes, Tuka and Nana sent that to you. And here is Tomas the Bear and Bunny and Papa Bear, and Lamb." "Carter Lamb? Abby?" "Yes, Carter, Abby, Auntie Sue and Uncle Dave got you that Lamb for Easter. And puppy dog and bunny." "Bunny, Grandma?" "Yes, Grandma and Grandpa got you the dog and the bunny. And Otter." "Josh?" "Yes, that's from Josh and Margarite." ETC, ETC. all the way through blanky, cow star, pillow, big blanky, water bottle and sometimes truck and/or book. You'd think there wouldn't be enough room in there for him to sleep comfortably.