Bedtime

I love bedtime.

In our house, bedtime means lots of different things.

If we're downstairs, it means both boys are eager to be carried up the steps on Jeff's back. Their enjoyment of this activity is something that my fear of heights just cannot understand.

It means chasing Alex, tackling him to the ground, and wrestling him into a clean diaper, onesie, and pajamas as he rolls from side to side in protest ("Must! Not! Be! Restrained!").

It means you may have to deal with a disgruntled Jacob if he is engrossed and involved in any kind of play or TV show.

It means Jacob has to pee in the potty and then don his overnight diaper, which also doubles as his pj's since anything else makes him sweat and causes him to strip in the middle of the night.

It means Jacob's teeth must be brushed with his electric Spiderman toothbrush, while Alex's are brushed once by Daddy with the old-fashioned toothbrush (meaning no batteries), and then a second time on his own. Which basically means sucking any remaining toothpaste from the bristles and chewing it like a teething toy. ("Tee! Tee!" You'll never hear the end of it until you hand him the toothbrush.)

It means Jacob needs his ice water by his bed, even if he doesn't drink it.

It means Alex gives me a kiss and hug goodnight, and lays his head on my shoulder before Jeff takes him to his room.

It means reading 2 books together in Jacob's bed.

It means waiting for Alex to settle down and resign himself to the fact that he must be confined to a crib for the next 10 hours or so. And he almost always sleeps straight through the night, which is wonderful. (We're still waiting on his big brother to follow suit.)

It means lying in Jacob's bed with him, having quiet conversations, hugs, kisses, snuggles, and knowing sleep is imminent when he begins rubbing and lightly tugging on my hair. And definitely after he yawns twice in a row.

It (usually) means hours of restful quiet are about to be enjoyed.

For 2 little boys, it means anywhere from 8:30-9:30 p.m.

For the 2 big kids, it means anywhere from 9:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m.

And sometimes, like last night, it means a bedtime prayer.


Jacob & I had just finished reading our two books, and were settling into bed when he said, "Mommy? Let's prayer."

Me: "Let's pray? OK. We can pray."

So he clasps his hands together, fingers intertwined, and lifts them to his mouth. Like this, only without the snazzy outfit and styled hair:


(Sorry for the bad quality. I took this while he was on stage during his preschool's Christmas program and had to zoom in a LOT.)

This is how he looks when he prays. I think it adds an extra sweetness and cuteness to what is inherently a precious moment.

Then he began.

"Dear God,

Thank you for this bootiful day.
Jesus loves me.
I love Miss Marsha, Miss Lisa, and Miss Shari.*
I love my mommy, my daddy, and Alex.
I love my cousins.
And I love lotsa different things.**
Thank you.
Amen."

Me: "Amen. That was such a nice prayer, Jacob."

And as he opened his eyes, which had been squeezed shut with occasional peeking at me (I know because I peeked too), he gave me one of his big smiles, probably because the pride and happiness I felt was written all over my face.
Then he snuggled up to me, threw his arm around my neck, and began stroking my hair.

Me: "Goodnight, buddy. I love you."

Jacob: "Goodnight. I love you too."

A minute later, he yawned twice. And I got to lie there with him as he held me, and watch him drift off to sleep.

I love bedtime.



*Miss Marsha is Jacob's Speech Therapist, and Miss Lisa & Miss Shari are his preschool teachers.

**Anyone not specifically mentioned in Jacob's sweet prayer, please don't take offense. Most likely, you've been listed in previous prayers. In this one, you fall under the category of "lotsa different things."