The one where Carson sleeps

* * * This is in no way intended to be a brag post. I am well aware we are lucky and all that jazz. This post is meant to be a memory of how our baby boy goes to sleep. It just so happens that he goes to sleep very VERY easily. And funnily. Carrying on. * * *

Sweet Carson is a fantastic go-to-bedder. When I was still nursing, he’d nurse for a bit at bedtime, then play for about 20 minutes, and then he’d let us put him right in bed and out he’d go. Same sort of thing at naptime: he gives the cue that he’s ready by starting to swat and hit us, which means he’s ready for bed. So boom – maybe a short cuddle, and out he goes. Don’t worry Grandpa, he only does it for naptime so you’re safe tomorrow night.

So we’re done nursing. And then we did bottles at bedtime for a few nights before I realized that was pretty much one of the dumbest ideas I had as a mom. I have a kid who’s only had a bottle at bedtime maybe 5 times in a year (yeah, I really didn’t have a life there for a while) – WHY would I create a dependence on the bottle? He was fine without the nursing session before bedtime, so BAM – we dropped the bottle after a four nights. No problem. Wahoo!

But I’d never witnessed all that happens while my son goes to sleep. Last night was my chance.

I had bedtime duties because Rick was at work late – so the kids & I climbed into the rocking chair (we *really* need a bigger chair). Both kids drank water, and Carson ate a book and I read a book to Mallory. Then I put Carson in his crib with his water and puppy and pacis, and got back in the rocking chair with Mallory.

And then the fun started.

Carson was sitting up in his bed, drinking water, staring at his monkey jungle crib soother thing. Then he popped in his paci, twirled it around a few times, and then FACE PLANTED himself on his bed. He stretched and rolled for a few minutes. Then up he sat again, drank some more water, watched his monkey jungle crib soother thing, replaced his paci, twirled it around a few times and face planted into his bed again and he stretched and kicked some more. This whole time he wasn’t making a single sound. 

Mallory & I sat there right next to his crib and I watched him for about 10 minutes. I kept waiting for him to realize I was *rightthere* and want to be picked up, so either he has horrible night vision, or he didn’t care.

I left before he was asleep but I imagine it continued for at least a few more minutes.

I am not looking the sleeping-horse in the mouth, but that boy hardly sits still anymore, and I sort of wish he’d let me cuddle him. Is this just a major difference between boys & girls? Or is it just because of his age – being newly mobile and all?