Some Little Things I Want To Remember

Dear Abel,

Now that you’re four and a half (almost), there isn’t enough space left in your baby book to record all the little things about your youth that I want to remember. But that’s one of the reasons why I have this blog . . .

I hope this account of your typical bedtime routine will delight you as much, later in life, as the routine of it delights me right now.

Before you go to sleep at night, we have the following ritual. First we read three books. You like it best when Daddy joins us to “hear the stories and read the stories.” Dad lies on his belly, on your bed. You like to lie on his back and look over his shoulder while he reads to you. I sit, propped up with pillows, at the head of the bed. When I read, you sit next to me. Either way, you get to see the pictures. Sometimes it takes a LONG time for you to select your books. You never let me read “Crictor” – I think it’s because of the boa constrictor. You love it when dad reads “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

After we read, Dad goes downstairs, and it’s time for you and I to “Talk About In The Morning.” I outline each of the next seven days, telling you what the highlights will be – going to school, to Babci & Grampa’s house, or on playdates with friends. You always help me say what Fridays will be – “Daddy style in the morning, and Max’s house in the afternoon!” We all love Fridays.

Then, before you can nod off, you like for me to build you a house. Sometimes it’s a dog house, or a snake house, or a hippopotamus house, or even an airplane hangar. . . it changes every time. But it always involves pillows and blankets propped up just-so. Your favorite way to go to sleep is to be completely covered with pillows, with a space left open for breathing. It always helps to have Blankie or Lovey up close to your face – the silky fabric helps you to relax. After you’ve fallen asleep, we clear the pillows off, just in case.

No matter what our day has been like – lots of time together, or not much at all – this bedtime ritual, which usually lasts a little bit more than an hour, guarantees me some quiet time with you. Sometimes I get kisses, hugs and snuggles, and sometimes I don’t. But it’s always one of the favorite parts of my day.

Love,
Mom