No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

There are things that I make a point to do with Colt every night.  I help him brush his teeth, we put on pajamas, kiss daddy and head off to bed to read ten books.  Not one or two books, but ten.  Then we say our prayers (but when I put his little hands together, he just claps and smiles) and he ends with a loud "AMEN MAMA!" I think he'll get the hang of it soon. ha.
It's a routine that we have and I think I do it for various reasons.  Maybe because my mom did it with me or maybe because I would love for Colt to reach way back in his 2-year old memory one day when he's 20 and pull it out.  Whatever the reason, I realized tonight that everything I do with him is absolutely important and that he not only recognizes our little ritual, but finds comfort in it. 

We were reading books tonight, like we always do and I know Colt has his favorites and he tells me which order he wants them read.  He always listens very intently to every word I say and points out at least 5 things on every page, but tonight was different.  One of his top three favorites is Five Little Monkeys and instead of just listening and pointing to the andaid (bandaid) on the monkey's heads, every time I said the words, "Mama called the doctor and the doctor said...." Colt would start wagging his little finger and said "No more monees jumin on da bed!"  Now, I know this really is not a big deal because small children finish sentences in books all the time, but this is just the first time he's ever done it and I was SO proud.  Not only does he listen, but he really and truly pays attention to everything going on around him.

So after putting piggy on the left side, dile (crocodile) on the right, mur (his cow) in the middle by his head and putting blank (blanket) and ashro bear (Astro bear that we got at the Astros game) in his arms, I kiss my big little baby and let him go to sleep.

Speaking of monkeys, my little Sam was taking a nap the other day and I heard a huge thud from upstairs and then screaming.  I ran up there thinking something fell and startled him, but when I got up there, I found him on the floor of his room just screaming crying.  My sweet, skinny, lightning fast child had climbed out of his bed and being as he cannot walk yet, obviously fell on the floor.  I was so sad that he fell, but at the same time, I was completely dumbfounded.  How in the world did that little monkey climb out of his crib??  Colt climbed out of his crib for the first time at 22 months.  Sam is 10 months.  I think it's safe to say that my sweet little Sam is going to give me a run for my money.

I did find something that will keep Sam still and quiet for an indefinite amount of time.  It's something you would NEVER expect.....it's a cage!  No, just kidding.  It's actually a Dora Halloween book.  Believe it or not, Sam will sit in my lap and let me read this one book to him 20 times and he will not even try to squirm for one second.  It really is unbelievable.  So not only does Dora have the zombie effect on my babies when they watch it on TV, but apparently it works the same way in books as well. ha.  Oh well, I'll take what I can get.