eight o'clock ramblings

So Steve's computer is having problems; I'll get the movie posted as soon as I can.

I was thinking tonight about bedtime. Bedtime is a very difficult subject for me. It stresses me out more than Adam, I'm sure. I have a child who is so passionately positive that he should not go to sleep, that getting him down is quite an ordeal. (Yes, we're trying different approaches to getting him down, so no comments about books or anything) Tonight was no exception, and while I was trying to soothe my crying, pushing child, I finally just calmly said, "I will rock you for 5 more minutes, and then you're being put in your crib." And that somehow made me feel that there would be an end to the madness, so I relaxed. And magically, within minutes, Adam was asleep, as angelic as could be, and my frustrated feelings just melted away. I don't know if it was my fervent prayers the half hour before, or just simply the fact that I was calm, but I am truly grateful for those five sweet moments, the promised rocking, with me and my baby, before I put him down to sleep. So to all you mothers out there, especially those who have babies who fight sleep, just think of them the way they will be when they are sleeping... quiet, still, peaceful, and oh so beautiful. Just you relax, there is an end to the madness, and they will go to sleep.

On a completely different note, I wanted to mention two cute things Adam did today. First, he bent over in half to nibble his own toes while he was sitting on the floor, which was really funny. Then, he "helped" me do the laundry. Meaning, I brought over a basket of clean clothes and he pulled out every single thing, piece by piece. Finally, there were just some baby socks at the bottom that he couldn't reach, so he climbed in the basket and began waving them around. The cutest part was that after he found the dryer sheet, he carefully floated it to the top of each piece he pulled out.

Anyway, I've got some things left to do before I can really take a break. But, mothers-- have hope, and most of all, don't let your stresses get in the way of your good humor. Adam fans, never fear, I'll get that movie posted somehow. And to all that haven't had the guts to write something really personal on their blogs, go for it. It makes you feel better. It might help someone else. And if people don't want to read it, they'll just scroll right past it anyway. :)
Thank you for reading, and good night.