Routine

If you read any books on parenting an infant or toddler, you will notice that almost all authors point out that children love structure.  Even at an early age, babies will become accustomed to a routine (note:  I subscribe to the "routine," not "schedule," philosophy, because you can't be rigid.  We found bliss when Miles was around four months old by beginning the EASY routine from The Baby Whisperer.

Now that Miles is two (TWO!  Can you believe it?!), he is starting to tell us when we're off our routine.  Last night, Brandon was putting Miles down for bed and he sat down with Miles (and his blankie, pacifier, and BayBay - all his accessories) to read.  Miles said "Oh no!" and got down off Brandon's lap.  He walked over to his Elmo slippers, which were in the middle of the floor, picked them up, and walked over to his Shoes basket, where he deposited the offending slippers.  Only then was he able to continue with his nighttime routine.

This morning when he woke up, he insisted that his radio be turned off (by pointing to it) and the light be turned off before leaving the room.

I'm hoping that the recent early wakings are only the result of getting off-schedule through the summer and that he will return to waking around 8am soon!

I am starting to get on a routine with Spencer for bedtime, a bath, book, bed schedule.  He's beginning to try to grab the pictures so I know he is at least looking at the books while I read to him.  I cannot tell you how nice it is to have several hours at night with no children awake.