During our Christmas vacation, it's fair to say that Rylie's routine and bedtime got kind of...well, forgotten. We stayed up late and slept in, occasionally got out of our pajamas, ate what we wanted...when we wanted, and Rylie got a lot of extra attention. And I was perfectly content with that. I do, however, love a solid routine. So when we returned home, I was quick to alter and adjust things to get back to our norm! And to my surprise, it only took one day! Apparently, Rylie likes a solid routine, too.
I feel that children need and crave routine. Routine helps establish security and peace in a child's life. A bedtime routine helps establish good sleeping patterns. A dinnertime routine establishes the importance of family interaction. Routines keep children calm and at ease with life's variables. However, I also feel that routines must be flexible enough to change if circumstances warrant. My intent is to not rule my family with an iron fist; rather, my goal is to help keep my family organized and to help make our lives as easy going and peaceful as possible. And it just makes me feel good, okay?! :) I like that my family knows what to expect. I like that we eat dinner together, every night, at the dinner table around 6pm. I like that when we say, "It's time for dinner. Go to your chair," Rylie screams in delight and runs to her high chair. I like that her stomach is full and that she is bathed and in her jammies by 7pm every night. And although I dearly miss rocking my baby before bedtime, I also like that at 9am sharp...she knows that it is bedtime and does not make a fuss. At bedtime, the tone in our house quickly changes. It goes from laughs, giggles, and running about the house to soft whispers, kisses, hugs and "night-nights!" And then I place Rylie in her crib and slip out her bedroom door. Occasionally, I will hear her glow-worm singing through the monitor. But without one scream or cry, she is usual fast asleep within 5 minutes.
Although the majority of our nights are played out just as I have explained...a few nights ago was different. But I found joy in that night, too. We followed our typical routine and at 9pm, Rylie was sleeping in her crib. 45 minutes later...I heard her start to fuss and that quickly turned into a cry. And it wasn't just the whimpering that tells me that she is a little extra squirmy and is trying to fall back to sleep. So, I headed to her room and we both made our way back out to the living room where I tried to calm her by swaying back and forth in the rocking chair. Nope...not working. So it was off to the kitchen where she gulped down a few ounces of milk...followed by more crying. She has been teething, so I gave her some Motrin. But she was still upset. Daddy guessed that she may be hungry so I pulled out one of her favorites...and she was content as long as that mini-muffin was hidden beneath her gentle grasp and that hand was tucked close to her chest. We rocked for another 10 minutes but when I tried taking away her muffin...she belted out a loud cry! She was only relaxed and content if she was holding her muffin...which I thought was adorable. But seriously, it was now time for bed; and I refused to let my child go to bed with a mini-muffin in her hand. So, I placed an empty-handed Rylie back in her crib and she fell asleep within minutes. But I couldn't help but notice how perfect she had kept her muffin. Not one side was crushed in. Not one crack appeared. Not one bite was missing. It was as perfect as a homemade (can we count the kind that you "just add water" as homemade, please) mini-muffin could be!
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