Bedtime routine

I have finally established a bedtime routine!! I am so proud of myself!!

Let me start from the beginning so you will understand why I love this so much... Before Ellison, I would be in bed by 9 or 9:30 everynight if I could. Some nights I had softball games, so it was hard. If I was home, I was ALWAYS in bed by 9. Ask Josh if you don't believe me. I love my sleep and need my sleep!

Well, of course when Ellison was born that all changed. Like all newborns, she had her nights and days confused. She would sleep for a little while and wake up (usually 2-3hrs). Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. I was up every so often. While I was out on maternity leave, I would go back to sleep anytime she did during the day. OHHHH, it spoiled me soooo!!! I don't think I ever got a shower before 1:00p.m! It was great to sleep all day.

About a week before I had to go back to work, I really tried to get her into a routine. I would try to feed her after her bath , but sometimes she can be impatient. So I would give her a bath, feed her and rock her until she is almost asleep. When she gets to this point, I can lay her down in bed and turn on her music and she would fall asleep by herself. Well, it didn't work that week. She was up and fussy almost every night until 11 or 12. I hated it! Plus, she would wake up and eat at 4 or 4:30am and I would have to wake up for work at 5:30, so I just wouldn't go to sleep after I fed her. No reason to. Just makes matters worse.

I can honestly say that now my routine is in place!! HURRAY FOR ME!!! I give her a bath around 8pm, feed her, and then rock for a little while. When she starts to fall asleep, I place her in bed with her passy and music on, and with in a minute she is sound asleep!!! I turn to look at the clock and it is 9pm!!! YES!! I can finally start to go back to bed by 9!! So far this week it has been working!!! I have been to bed before 9:30 just about every night this week. I love the fact that she will fall asleep by herself already, but then again, I am sad because she is just 9 weeks old and I love holding her while she is asleep! I have to keep telling myself that it will be worth it in the long run. No one wants to be up all night holding a one year old until she falls to sleep! That could take all night.

I guess I am ready for bed now myself, seeing as how it is 10pm! A mothers job is never done... I have to prepare quickly for tomorrow! Hope that you have enjoyed some of the sleeping Ellison pictures! I don't know how she thinks some of that is comfortable!!??