A special nightly routine

As I went back to work full-time on January 2nd, I decided I needed to find some special things to do with Henry when we are together, especially now that we'd be seperated most of the day. That's how our nightly routine developed. I must preface this post by saying that I am terrible with routines or any type of self-motivated, healthy habits. But I have a kid now, and routines are incredibly important for little ones, so I decided to start- and stick to- a nightly routine of a bath, (books), and a special playlist of songs while we rock to sleep. I put books in parentheses because he is usually exhausted and overstimulated after his bath and so we usually have to go straight to a dimly lit room and start our playlist.


We were lucky enough to get pictures on a night in which Henry did not poop in his bath, which probably only happens in 1 out of 5 baths.

And I'm happy to say, I have kept up the routine night after night. And although I'm tired when I get home from work, and these things might appear to be just more tasks to be completed, I really enjoy our nightly rituals. In fact, some nights when I rock Henry to sleep I would describe as nothing short of magical.

We're probably talking about his toes in the picture below. They seem to be the stars of the bath show. In fact, he was in his bath when he found them last month, and when he figured out those two things attached to his toes could be moved at his whim and that when he flexed them, water splashed out of the tub. Isn't it funny to think it takes us almost four months to find all of the body parts attached to us?! And, yes Bethany, he's found the other thing down there, as well. That gave his Dad and me a good laugh.

Oh, and sometimes Alfred makes an appearance (he is a rubber ducky who has a little top hat on, and Andrew and I decided Alfred seemed like the best name for such a creature). Alfred typically goes straight in the mouth like everything else.

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As for being a working mom, I've decided I will probably never strike the perfect balance of mother, wife and teacher. It is enough to meet Henry's needs, complete my duties as a professor, and go to the grocery store- and everything else has pretty much fallen apart! I wore makeup to work on the first day of class and not since. If my mom didn't empty the clothes dryer, Henry would never have clothes on hangers. I'm too tired to think of another example now, but I suppose it's fitting to add sharp memory to the list of "things that fall apart." I've heard that being a working mom is better described as a juggle rather than a balance. When I teach summer session May-June, I think I'll become a better juggler, and then I'll have July and most of August to be with Henry exclusively.

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I thought upon returning that I would just pine to be at home with Henry, and some days I do, but it is also really nice to reclaim a part of my identity that got a little neglected on maternity leave. I spent years in school studying literature and rhetoric, and it's nice to be able to flex that particular muscle in my brain now and again. And, let's face it, a little quiet time in my office is sometimes a bit of a break from taking care of a teething baby.

Note to Henry: I love you, baby- teething or otherwise.

P.S. The nighttime playlist is pretty great. No designated kiddie songs. There's Lynard Skynard's "Simple Man," Elton John's "Your Song," and the Gabe Dixon Band's "All Will be Well" amongst others. I'll leave you with Henry's and my favorite bedtime song (as recommended by cousin Alli!)