My Favorite Time Of Day

...is bedtime.  And not for the reason you're thinking, although there is something so freeing about putting the kids to bed and finally getting some time to myself before I pass out.  Bedtime is my favorite time of day because it's the one time where I can focus on each of my children individually and with 100% of my attention.  I'm not worrying about cleaning up any messes, or trying to feed them both or get them both in jammies.  The tough part is over and now I can enjoy "us" time with Bailey and Gerry.

Gerry usually goes first.  While Scott and Bailey spend some time together watching a show or playing with toys or whatever it is they do when I'm not around, Gerry and I snuggle up with a blanket and a bottle.  And we just stare at each other.  I talk softly to him about everything and nothing and he just stares up at me with sleepy eyes.  Sometimes he stops drinking and smiles up at me, this slow and tired smile, and I just melt.  Not even five months old and he's already got me wrapped around his finger.  The whole time we're snuggled up there, he's squeezing my finger every few seconds, or pulling the blanket to his cheek and it's so adorable that I can't help but be happy, no matter how crazy or crappy my day was.  I put all my attention and all my focus on this time with my little boy, and I block out everything else.  And it's wonderful. 

When it's Bailey's turn, things aren't always quite so peaceful...but it's still awesome.  I snuggle up in her bed with her and we read a few books.  I turn on her lullaby CD and we sing a lullaby of our own and then play "What are you going to dream about?"  9 times out of 10, Bailey says she's going to dream about ice cream or squirting somebody with a water gun.  But every once in awhile she surprises me and says, "I'm gonna dream 'bout you, Mommy.  You're my best friend ever."  Heart...melted.  And then, without fail, she busts out her sweetest voice and says, "Mommy?  You lay down with me for just oooonnne minute?"  Which, of course, I can't say no to.  So we crawl under the covers and get nice and comfy...and then she says, "Mommy?  Can I lay on you hands?", which means she wants to lay, literally, on top of my arm, with my other arm on top of her.  So I open my arms and she burrows in, and I rub her hair softly for a few minutes.  More often than not, we both doze off like that.  A little while later, I get up, readjust her comforter, whisper that I love her, and tiptoe out of her room.  And then Scott and I get some time together while the little ones are asleep.

Then when we wake up in the morning, it's go-go-go and things are always crazy and hectic.  Gerry is usually super happy and chatty, but sometimes he cries if he's hungry and I'm taking too long.  The daycare kids argue with each other, attempt to break all the rules, and give me a few new gray hairs.  Bailey has at least one meltdown these days, and has learned the art of "talking back", which hasn't been fun.  My time is spent trying to keep the house somewhat clean, wrangling all the kids, preparing meals, and generally dividing myself between 6-7 kids at any given time.  But I always, always have that precious time with my own two kids at night.  It is my absolute best and most favorite time of day, any day.  And I wouldn't trade it for anything.