
Does this look like a happy girl ready for bed or what? I have to tell you that I used to hate bedtime. I would dread it. It usually took us about three hours to get Anna Cross down for the night. She was especially fussy in the evenings and would cry as soon as bathtime was over. We would hold her and rock her to sleep then put her down in her crib and hold our breaths that she would stay asleep. Usually we were doing the same routine about five minutes later. And I know this sounds selfish but all I wanted to do was spend a few minutes of alone time with my husband before we both collapsed into bed. Hey, I'm just being honest.

But now it's a different story. Now I LOVE our bedtime routine. I LOVE the way she plays in the bath, the way she talks to me while I'm putting her jammies on, the way she smells so sweet after her lotion's on and her hair is brushed. She doesn't scream for the duration of it! Now after I feed her, she's all smiles and ready to have her picture taken! I am savoring these oh so fun moments with her.

So here's the latest bedtime "discussion" in our house. Beau and I happen to have differing opinions on how to put Anna Cross down for the night. I'm going to share both opinions and then read your comments. I wanna know what you think. I'm not going to say whose opinion belongs to who. I don't want to skew the vote :)

Opinion #1: After Anna Cross finishes her bottle, take her to her room and do nightime routine (book, sing, rock). Rock her for however long it takes her to get nice and groggy, then put her down. What's the point of putting her down awake if she just stays up talking to herself or protesting? If she goes down asleep or very groggy, she won't object.
Opinion #2: After Anna Cross finishes her bottle, take her to her room and do nightime routine for 10 minutes. Put her in her crib awake or groggy. Even if she talks to herself or protests, leave her alone. This will teach her to put herself to sleep.
Think you know which opinion belongs to me/Beau? Don't tell, Mary Grace!










































