the "R" word

No....could it be? .......Truly? Nah.....

But, yes.

We have.....

.......R O U T I N E..........

I heard somewhere that you have to do something 32 times before it becomes habit. Well, in BabyLand I think that taking a nap at the same time for a week should count for something! Maybe not quite a habit, but I daresay a "routine." (Breathe a big sigh of relief.)

So, we wake up between 8 and 8:30. Feed Eden. Change and dress Eden. Do mild morning activities like read a few books, play a bit, and then feed Eden again and she will fall asleep. Sometime around 10.

Now, if we can only move this back a couple hours so that I can feed her twice before I go to work. That would be fabulous. (Here is where all the other mothers can start laughing maniacally.)

I, on the other hand, am basking in the glories of knowing that I will be able to pee, take a shower, brush my teeth, wash the dishes, make the bed, and even take a few minutes to (*gasp*) read or blog or something decadent before she wakes up again.

Not that I mind the waking up. Breastfeeding mothers everywhere rejoice -- nursing after a baby's long nap is wonderful, wonderful.

Alas, I think the routine leaves us after that blessed 3-hour morning nap. As far as I can tell, there is one little nap, another long nap, a poop or two, Long Happy Play Time, maybe a walk, and a little bit of Fussy before the peanut falls asleep again for good when we go to bed around 10:30 or 11. (Although, last night, she was out like a light at 9 p.m. and slept soundly until 4 a.m. I'm going to chalk that up as an outlyer and not a credible data point. I'll let you know if it persists, but don't hold your breath.)

But the most glorious part of all of it is sneaking into her room and peeking at her blissfully peaceful face as she rocks back and forth in her swing. She is so beautiful in her sleep. It is the most wonderful thing to watch her sleep and know that her little tummy is full, and that she feels save and loved. My baby.