MOMMY CONFIDENCE AND A BEDTIME STORY

It's funny what a few days will do for a mommy's self confidence.

I feel like I'm really getting this down pat. I'm understanding that while experts, are well, experts, I'm Mommy and that means a whole lot more. After all...who knows LBB better-the experts or me. And while their books are great and all, there is a lot to be said about doing what feels right.

Take, for example, this whole sleep thing. I checked out a book that had a lot of rave reviews. And while it had it's good points that I definitely am implementing in our lives, I know at the end of the day that I'm the one sitting here with LBB. Not some doctor. :) And once I figured out what we need now and want in the future, all this became a lot easier. Now it's just about tweaking the little quirks in LBB's sleep routine. Whew. That is one big sigh of relief. As for now, I'm ok with rocking and cuddling LBB to sleep...as long as once he is asleep, I can lay him down and he stays asleep. And you know what...once I decided that, I realized this whole thing isn't so daunting.

Mommy confidence is a good thing...to borrow the words of one famous maven of homekeeping. :)

Speaking of bedtime routines and good things...as we get this thing down pat, we are really learning what makes LBB sleepy. And last night, about 1/2 hour before his usual bedtime, we started a bedtime routine. We used bits and pieces of things that we know help him get sleepy...like cuddles with a soft warm blankie, a little lullaby music in the background (he loves this Asian Dreamland CD we found at the library), socks on his hands (the minute his hands get chilly, the kid is awake. It's really the strangest thing, and socks stay on as opposed to baby mits!), and his favorite bedtime book.

Which is.... (drumroll please) .....

Bear Snores On

If I time it just right and catch him before he is overtired, LBB will be sound asleep about 3 pages before the end of the book. It's got the perfect mix of quiet noises (those perfect places where you get to whisper), cute story lines, good even rhythm, beautiful pictures, and a story line that doesn't get old. (We've been reading it to him since the day we got home from the hospital.)

I just thought I'd share...it's easily become a family favorite. Everynight, I read, LBB cuddles, and Dear Sweet Hubby is in charge of sound effects (like when the popcorn pops...it's pretty cute!)

*Oh, and just in case you were wondering...the bedtime routine worked like a charm. And then he was out like a light. :) *