I decided today that two things have happened, almost at the same time; or at least, they converged to change over at the exact same time, making neither Mama or Little Boy very happy at bedtime.
I think that Little Boy has decided that it is time for him to go to bed at 6:30, instead of 6 (or earlier!). Naps are much longer during the day. Unfortunately, I am not used to having to entertain him for this extra half hour, but I will oblige him this week in learning and thinking up new ways to entertain him for 30 more mins.
Additionally, I must have slowly started to change his bedtime routine to where there is NO bedtime routine. Just me deciding that it's time for him to go to bed. Both these changes have lead to screaming like the world is going to end at bedtime. Tonight, for instance, I tried to give him his bottle and have him go to bed at 6pm -- he looked tired and I thought he was ready. However, after listening to him crying brokenly for 15 mins, I went back in, picked him up and rocked with him while he finished a last 2 ounces and then he just laid with me and watched his mobile from the rocker. After 20 minutes of doing this, I laid him back down and all was well. And now, I think that he's probably asleep. or close. Silly Mama. Not doing what the little boy is telling you that he needs to do.
So, starting tomorrow, the bedtime routine will start around 6 or 6:10 instead of 5:30. and I will stick to his old one of jammies, a bottle in the rocking chair and then bed -- with all his animals and toys. I don't care if he plays in there for another hour, as long as he's happy and getting himself to sleep.
As the weather gets warmer, we can go for a walk or go outside for a bit after dinner; the sun will still be out and it will be warm enough for him. That will really help. Then, we can come inside at 5:45 or 6 and get ready for bed. We'll see what happens. Maybe I will try this and it won't work and he'll be crying brokenly at 6:30 instead of 6. But, considering that he's been waking at 5:30 for the past few days, I think a later bedtime is in order.
Another problem that we are having is with his diapers -- he had leaked through 4 of them in the past twenty four hours. I don't think that he's ever done that ever. So, I'm going to take all of them and strip them with Dawn and rewash everything. I don't know what the hell happened, but something did. And Jake changed the bedsheets once and I did once in the past few hours. Which is super annoying. And I'm just hoping that Little Boy doesn't leak out overnight. Because if I have to get up tonight, I will probably cry.
My friend at work forced me to read the first one and I have since finished the Twilight series. It was ok. It was a good story, but after the heartbreak of Harry Potter, I have decided to not expect too much from books, especially "series" books. My expectations will probably not be met. I would not mind more books on the characters in the story -- some of them were pretty good characters and I would have like more story. But, I suppose that is what fanfic is for. And I should know, I have read enough of it (X-Files and Harry Potter). I was going to wait until the last book came out on paperback, but I decided on Saturday that I couldn't wait until then, so I bought the hardcover. It was very enjoyable. I know many did not like it, but it was a good read for just getting lost in a story and not having to think about the real world. There was only one thing that kind of pulled my focus, and that was a small conversation where one of the characters quoted the Simpsons. It was kind of out of place for me. But, no matter. I kept going.
I guess if you're just looking for a good book to read where you don't have to think much, that would be it. :)
Off to wash diapers.
