Time for Bed

It's bedtime, and Madison knows the routine.  She tromps down the hall to find the bibs.  They're in the kitchen drawer that's just barely in her reach above her.  She says, "ni-ni," and gets not only kisses from everyone, but she also rubs noses too.  You have to rub noses.  That came from Mommy.

We'll heat up the milk for her and put it in her sippy cup - she changed from bottles about a month ago. 

She'll trot back to the bedroom, press play on the CD player, and then climb up into Mommy's lap in the rocking chair.  Sometimes it is Daddy's lap.  There are occasions where she'll insist on one or the other for the evening.  And yes, she'll want to pull along a friend too.  Tonight, it is the Bee - which she has a strange attraction to.  You'd think it would be the lifelike Asian baby or the cute teddy bear.  But no - it's a large Bee puppet she spotted at church one day.

When she's done with her milk, it's time for another round of "ni-ni."  She climbs down off of Mommy's lap and trots back down the hall to find anyone to say goodnight to.  That's usually Daddy's cue to pick her up and place her in the crib.

We sing, we tickle and we cuddle - and then we say goodnight.  She hardly ever calls out to us, instead content to cover herself - and her friends - in her pink blanket where she drifts off to sleep to the music of the lullabies.  

At times, she'll talk herself to sleep - or spend time playing in bed.  But lately, she's worn herself out during the day and been asleep mere minutes after being placed in bed.

Creeping down the hall, we check on her later.  Sure enough, she's snoozing.  Mommy and Daddy make sure she's covered up, as the quiet lullabies continue to play in the peaceful room.

Ni ni!