So, we've started Virginia's nighttime routine. I'm sure some of you will say, "But she's only two months old!" Others will wonder why we waited until now. Truth is, it took me two months to get used to having her here. I guess I've never been good with change. Anywho. Bedtime routine. Two months old. My hope is that she gets used to the bath, bottle, bed routine before she even knows what hits her and life won't be quite so difficult when she gets a bit older. Here's to hope.
Why did I wait so long to do this? The first night we tried it was the first night I felt like a mom. I can't really explain it. Maybe because it gives us some sort of schedule. I don't think that's it, though. There's just something so sweet about watching her drift off to sleep. And knowing that I played a part in it. Even that doesn't sound right. I guess it's because that's "our" time. Yes, I'm a stay-at-home mom, so technically the whole day is "our" time. But during the day, there are chores and errands and phone calls and life happening. At night, she and I shut the world out. It's just the two of us, with our own little routine.
I love everything about it: making sure the water is the right temperature, carrying her little naked self into the bathroom, singing "Rubber Ducky" about five times, wrapping her in her pink "Diva" towel she got from Lance, sitting in her room and listening to the play list I made for her on my iPod while she has her last bottle, singing to her as she fights sleep. It's just such a nice thing to hold a freshly bathed baby and rock them to sleep.
Granted, it's not always easy. Not by a long shot. But she's starting to get the hang of it, and maybe that means I'm starting to get a handle on this motherhood thing. And that's a really cool feeling.
