It is all about books!

Books, Books, Books... oh how I love books 

I read to Bailey every night before she goes to bed.  It goes something like getting dressed for bed, PJ's and night cloth diaper, then reading a book and then something like this...well until last night!  

Usually I would read to Bailey and she would maybe be interested for about a couple minutes and then I would totally lose her interest.  I would continue reading to myself her.  Last night was different... We read the first book, and she was paying attention the whole time and even grabbing at the book, watching my expressions, giggling when I changed my tone and made silly sounds!  I thought, okay we will try another, so I pulled another one... still interested and better yet she started talking away!!  She was basically "telling the story to me".  After that book we ended up reading two more!  I love books, and I love reading to her.  My mom always read to us when we were growing up, every night.  Actually two of our book choices tonight were books that my Mom read to me growing up!  It was just one of those moments tonight where I was like "wow, she is growing, and getting smarter by the day!".  She went from being totally distracted while I was reading to being all into the reading.  I can not wait for more story time with Bailey.  I can just see it now, "Mommy, just one more, please?", "Okay, sure" (because I love to read children's books).  What a great thing, books and reading.  

Our book choices last night were:

And who could say "no" to this: obviously not me!

Bailey's bedtime song

For a little while now I have been struggling with Bailey's bedtime routine.  I have been trying to read up on sleeping and the best ways to put her down. There are soo many different ways, holding her, just sticking her in her crib, letting her cry it out, not cry it out and many others. With all these different methods and theories it can become confusing to make a good choice, but I am coming to the realization that I need to do what I feel is right for her.  This has mostly been brought on by her going to sleep in her own room.  I cherish the time that Bailey and I spend at night.  During this time she nurses and wants my undivided attention (any other time of the day she just looks around), but at night she wants to just smile at me, stare at me, and she wants me to talk to her and stare at her.  She does not want Tony nor Roxy in the room with us, she actually will do her yell cry until they leave, it is really pretty funny.  We thought it was a coincidence,  but Tony and I have tested this several times!!   She then ends up falling sleepy. She then wants her binky.  

As I rock her to sleep, I always play with her hair, rubbing her head and I sing to her.  Every night since Bailey has been a baby I have sang the same song (see below lyrics and link to song "Lullaby" by the Dixie Chicks) to her as she is going to bed.  I absolutely love the lyrics to this song and thought it was perfect.  It says everything I would like to say to her.  I do not have the best voice, but she always is really calm and content as I sing.  I love listening to her breath and the feeling of holding her as she snuggles and falls heavy into my arms.  Most nights I will rock her and just close my eyes at the end enjoying every second of this moment.  This moment that I am thankful to have and that I know I will not have forever.  I think as a mom, there is nothing more precious as your baby falling asleep in your arms.  And this was my answer...  it may take me 30 minutes or more to put Bailey to sleep, I may have less time to myself, things may get left undone, and yeah maybe I will not have a set routine, and I may come across issues here or there, but I would not trade the moments in this 30+ minutes for anything.  I love you my sweet Bailey.  

Here is the link to the actual song (they have a much more pleasant voice than I do!!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR8KWQKYMag

Here are the lyrics to the bedtime song I sing to Bailey every night:

They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear you laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough, is forever enough

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough

Cause I'm never, never giving you up

I slip in bed when you're asleep

To hold you close and feel your breath on me

Tomorrow there'll be so much to do

So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough, is forever enough

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough

Cause I'm never, never giving you up

As you wander through this troubled world

In search of all things beautiful

You can close your eyes when you're miles away

And hear my voice like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough, is forever enough

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough

Cause I'm never, never giving you up

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough, is forever enough

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough

Cause I'm never, never giving you up

Is forever enough

Cause I'm never, never giving you up