With Charlotte's new bedtime strategy (no rocking to sleep) I've lost the ability to cut her nails once she is asleep. One of us would rock her to sleep, second parent would then enter, turn on lights and cut all little fingernails and toenails. Last night I tried to sneak into her room after she was asleep in the crib but she woke up.
Today I tried something new - first I gave her a long bubble bath. After toweling off and getting dressed for bed I clipped her toenails - WHILE SHE WAS AWAKE! She did fine, then I cautiously picked up a hand that was clutching a pants leg, uncurled the fingers and clipped the softened nails one by one while piling lavish praise on her. I'm so astonished, she didn't yank her hands away, cry or get mad. I think my baby's growing up! Sob!!! Just last night I realized how much I loved rocking her to sleep. Sure there were nights when I'd be thinking sleep sleep sleep I got stuff to do but now that it's gone I'm sad. Oh well, there are two more babies coming along who will demand lots of rocking. Maybe I'd best enjoy 5-6 months of quick bedtimes and say thank you to Charlotte for weaning herself at 19 months.
4 comments:
I know the feeling- My daughter and I had an elaborate bedtime kiss and hug ritual that she recently just shortened to two hugs. AND I HAD NO TIME TO PREPARE! They grow up and change in the blink of an eye!
I have to keep reminding myself that I am going to miss these moments... especially when it takes me 30 minutes to get my 19 month old to bed. Quick bedtimes are nice too.
Well it does take about 30 minutes still, we start with a bedtime bottle, then spend 15 minutes playing so it can settle before she lays down and about 2-5 minutes with light off walking around until she indicates she's ready to lay down. I guess it used to take 45 - 1 hour!
Since having my first, I have learned early on that laying them down awake and letting them learn to fall asleep on their own has worked for us. Sure, there was crying at first, but my kids know I love them and sleep through the night for the most part. My 16 month old takes the most time that any of my three kids have taken. She loves her mommy time and often her time with me get interrupted so that i can tend to the older kids. Poor girl. Oh, well. I think I spend about 15 to 20 minutes laying her down. Sometimes a little more (if she's teething or sick) sometimes a little less. I do love that time of singing and rocking and cuddling. I still get requests for kisses and hugs and songs from the older kids and I love that too. Our night time ritual or prayers and songs is wonderful!
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