Nathan is a kid who likes routine, so bed time is usually the same- potty, bath, PJs, books, bed. The in between stuff is where it’s fun. Like when bathtime involves singing or extra laughs. Or when he sprinkles water on my arm and says “does it tickle?” because I asked him that once. Or when he draws on the tub with crayon and insists on washing it off too. Once we’re in his room after bath he almost always tells me he’s cold and wants me to wrap him up tight from head to toe in his towel and then give him a big hug. Then he calls for Gary, “Daddy, we ready!”

Getting Nathan to brush his teeth can be tough, but if he doesn’t want to do it, and doesn’t want Gary or I to either, he’ll usually let one of his stuffed animals brush them. Then it’s pacyblankey time and big hugs good night for Gary.

Even though we always start with two books, Nathan still asks me every night if that’s the number of books he should pick out. He stands in front of the bookshelf, sometimes with one hand on a hip, and searches for the right ones. He always tells me which one to read first too.

Before getting into bed, he’ll jump into my lap, wrap his arms around my neck and tuck his head in under my chin. Just for a second most times, and then he’s ready to crawl into bed, but there are nights now and then when he stays there. Sometimes Ill sing a song or just rock with him. It reminds me of when he was a baby and I could sit there with him like that forever. Once Nathan’s ready to get into bed it’s always the same…he lays on his belly with his head toward the wall, tucks his hands under his belly, blanket in hand, and sticks his butt up, just a little. I rub his back for a minute or two, then give him a kiss on the head and tell him to sleep tight. His eyes are usually closed then, but he always smiles.