Gabby has a very special bedtime routine and we seem to have finally gotten back into the groove after a month or two of wanting to stay up and having a tantrum at bedtime each night. After Gabby's dinner and bath we go into the living room, lay her down with a specific pillow, blanket, and of course Meow. She chooses a show and then we play the show while we all sit in the living room and watch it. Then she drinks milk and watches her show for about 20 minutes. Some nights we read books when we arrive in her room and other nights we do not (it depends on what time it is). When she walks into her room she yells moon. Aunt Lisa gave her this really cool frog that projects blue stars and a moon on the walls and ceiling. First Gabby touches the moon and the she chooses various stars she would like to touch. Her favorite time is when Michael lifts her up high and lets her touch the stars on the ceiling. Then while she is laughing we both give her kisses and then lay her in the crib. Then we say our prayer and Michael and I quickly say good night and leave the room before she starts coming up with excuses why she isn't ready for bed. I know she isn't two yet but you would be amazed at the excuses a one year old can come up with on her own. She will tell us her diaper is dirty, she needs more milk, she is hungry, or start hollering for specific toys or more books. It's funny, but not in the moment. I hope that we are not making Gabby an O.C.D. person with all of the stringent routines we have implemented. I just know that humans are a creature of habit and in my profession structure is a positive thing! I just wonder how difficult it is going to be when we transition her from her crib to a bed. That is a story for another day!
I thought we would give you a glimpse of some of the silly things Mr. Elfis (our Elf) did Christmas Eve before returning to Santa Claus. We went to Dallas on Monday and luckily our elf (who Gabby named Snowball, then Snowball Snow Flake, but whose name is really Mr. Elfis) hopped in a car seat so he could make the journey safely to Grandma and Grandpa's and meet Ralphie, Emma and Brody's Elf. Here are the shenanigans they got into while waiting for Santa to arrive and while we were all asleep: Proof that the elves took these photos all by themselves. If you look closely between the first two photos you can see Mr. Elfis' hand move pushing the button. Snacking on the kid's gingerbread houses. Drinking Gabby's milk hanging upside down. What were they thinking?! Soaring with the eagles (Gabby's favorite bird). Ralphie riding a horse. Ralphie sneaking in a stocking. Mr. Elfis sliding down the banister ...
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