Ever since Waverly was out of the “newborn, we are just hanging on for dear life” phase, we have consisently had her on some sort of bedtime routine. I read both “Babywise” & “Heathy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” & while I totally know you can’t live life off a book, both were great in helping us figure out what in the hell we were doing! 😉 The biggest lessons I took from both books were the effectiveness of a bedtime “ritual” & teaching your baby to fall asleep on her own. We have definitely had our sleep struggles, but the majority of the time, Waverly is a pretty good sleeper & I attribute it to trying to stick by those guidelines most of the time.
Since it has always worked so well for us, Waverly’s bedtime routine each night is a bath, PJs, book & lights out at 7! I used to rock her for a while but after we were done breastfeeding, I had convinced myself that she wouldn’t sit still or that it would mess up those guidelines . That paired with the fact that I was usually starving since my husband & I didn’t eat together until well after she went to bed … mama & mini time in the rocking chair has been few & far between for a while now. Honestly, it had gotten to the point that I was “rushing” through bedtime every night, quickly going through the motions so that I could finish cleaning the house & finally eat after such a long day.
After brainstorming about this link-up & choosing the word “present” for 2014, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I wasn’t taking full advantage of that time of evening with my little family. That this really is such a special time of our lives, & how crazy it was that I wasn’t “present” with my girl during those moments before she went to sleep for the night. We have since made some changes. I make dinner & give Waverly a bath before my husband gets home from work, then we all eat dinner TOGETHER at a much earlier time. After that, we play for a bit & then I rock Waverly to sleep while Joe cleans up dinner (yea, I lucked out there!). With a clear head, full stomache, & nothing to think about but her.
The changes may seem trivial, but I can’t even tell you the difference it has made!! For one, I love the fact that we have started family dinners. I know that really is the time to “talk” to your kids about their day & even though Waverly is still way too young for that, it really is never too early to start!
Yet for now, what is even more important to me is time with Waverly in the rocking chair. I can’t even believe it, she actually sits right with me as content as can be. I sing to her, over & over & she lays there with her little eyes open looking right back at me. Without a doubt, it has become my favorite time of day & the only downfall is that I never want to leave! We must sit in that chair together for at least thirty minutes a night & I feel like an entirely new mom because of it. 🙂 I guess I was so stuck in our old schedule that I didn’t realize how something so “little” could make such a big difference.
Jess & I are so thankful for all the support we have gotten for “It’s the Little Things”! We are overwhelmed with your support, your positive feedback & most of all, that you want to be a part of it!! Feel free to download our logo below, to use on your own blog or on Instagram!
We want to show our appreciation by giving back to YOU & we have lots of giveaways lined up for the next few weeks to do just that. We are kicking off today with an amazing digital download from Hello Tosha Designs. Tosha is the talented lady behind our beautiful logo & we are so thankful for her support in this project. She is so very sweet to donate an 8X10 print of the “It’s the Little Things” logo, the actual artwork with her signature stamped on the back. The digital download is also listed on her shop, but only the winner will have the actual print. Enter below for a chance to win & check back next week for another fun giveaway, best of luck!
We can’t wait to read your special moments today & each Wednesday, all you have to do is write your post with whatever “little thing” it is that you would like to share & link-up with either Jess or me below! Thanks again & HAPPY halfway through the week. 🙂
I'm really loving this link up you guys are hosting! The little things do matter… sitting down for dinner together? Priceless. My husband travels for work so when the three of us get to sit down together it's totally worth it. I love that it also let you enjoy bedtime more! 🙂 Such a sweet little thing like you said.
Love this post. We started family suppers when my little guy turned a year and started eating "real people food". We were finding the same thing, we were rushing through bedtime routines in order for hubs and I to be able to sit down to eat together. Now we eat much earlier, but all together. Leaving time for us all to do bath and jammy and story time together, before rocking baby boy to sleep.
First, the second picture from the top is just the sweetest half frown! Too funny that you put it right at that spot so she is semi frowning at the bedtime rushing, like mom why so quick…
Second, totally loving this link-up.
Third, I'm glad you flipped things around and now can have a family meal and plenty of mama/Waverly rocking time before bed. I wish Aria would let me rock her. She still nurses at night, for all of 5 seconds, and then she is pushing out of my arms before I can even walk her to the crib. Gee kid thanks for the love!
I love this, Ashley! I'm so glad that you've found a new routine that makes you all so happy! Bedtime has always been a favorite time at our house and despite our busy schedules, we've been lucky in that we're both around most evenings to do bedtime as a family of 3. We're usually both there while she plays in the tub, we double-team getting her lotioned up and jammies on…we've always done that on our bed…and then it usually turns into a ticklefast-hiding under the covers-and generally silliness all together before it's time for bed. Some nights I'm sad when it's over 🙂
http://www.sadieskyboutique.com
I love this! I used to find myself rushing through bedtime routine, too, but now I make it a point to stop and soak in the few minutes of just Cam and me time before bed…I don't sit with him, but I stand in his room, with his head on my shoulder, and we say prayers, talk about the day (well, I do all of the talking!), talk about Daddy, LouLou, Grandpa, etc…I think it's so important for him to know that I cherish him, his father and our family. Great post! I am so glad I linked up…it's so nice to stop and really appreciate the little things. 🙂
Lovely post… And pictures! I'll have to link up with you sometime soon 🙂
What a sweet way to end Waverly's day!! I love it!! I love this link-up and reminder to celebrate the little moments… it's always been what I've tried to do… and I've gotten away from it, so I'm looking forward to coming back to it with a little accountability! 😉
I am definitely with you! I like routine and it seems to work better for Mason when we have one. But you are right, that can’t always happen! It’s so easy as a mother to just go through the motions because there are a million and one things that need to be done. This is such a great reminder to stop, slow down and take it all in. These moments are fleeting!! Love what this new routine has done for your Mama soul, friend! Precious, just precious. Waverly is such a little doll. I love her pigtails.
Thanks again for hosting this wonderful linkup! Happy To be a part of it.
Eating dinner together is my FAV time of day! Lex is uber chatty and always tells my husband about her day (and it's hilarious to hear what she remembers). And I agree- it seems smoother to eat together and then have the evening together where your not starving! Such a little change but I bet with a big difference! And as always waverly Mae is the CUTEST!
Family dinners are the best & so important! And outing Liam to sleep at the end of a long day is what calms me. I will be sad when the day comes and he no longer snuggles to sleep.
Thank you for the opportunity to link up! The topic is perfect. 🙂
I am absolutely loving this link up!! 🙂 Bedtime used to be one of my favorite times spent with my girls, too, until my iphone became literally glued to my hand. I have made a rule this year that unless it's an emergency – no cellphone (meaning no social media) until after the girls are in bed.
So sweet! My favorite part of my day to is cuddling up with my son rocking before he goes to sleep. Usually we read and play a little and then up to bed he goes.
That change is far from trivial – it's HUGE! As hard as it has been, I've always ensured that Colton and I eat dinner together. It saves my sanity, keeps him happy, and is so much fun.
I love that she will sit with you in the rocking chair, I really need to get one 🙂 Her little pigtails…swoon!
Beautiful photos and idea for a link up. I'm so glad to have found your blog!
Love the post. I wanna join the link up…but how on earth do you do that? Sorry – a little new to this kind of thing. I love your post and while you think she's too young to really know and understand, she is definitely taking mental notes. You'll be surprised what they catch on to, especially if things are being repeated daily. Our family always eats dinner together and I think just having Marli at the table has made her soooo interested in foods and such a good spirit about trying new foods. I think the best way babies learn is through seeing mommy and daddy do things…and this goes for other stuff like showing affection, praying, being nice to each other, cleaning, etc. Keep up the great job!
Linh
http://abeautifulrawr.com
I was just reading Ashley's post and came across your comment…hoping I can help! You can link up with us by scrolling to the bottom of either her post or mine, down to where you see all the linkups added…at the top of that area, you should see where it says "you are next." Just click on that link and follow the prompts to enter your blog post URL, name, etc. and then you can add your pic from the "web" option, which will let you choose one from the post you are linking up….boom, you're done! You can email either of us anytime if you still have questions!
xoxo
http://www.sadieskyboutique.com
Love that you were able to adjust your routine to make it better for all of you! We do this too…eating dinner together is usually wild and crazy keeping the toddler happy and all, but it's something I really wanted us to do as a family for many, many years to come. And I do bathtime and my hubby gets the rocking part, so I'm jealous that you get both! 🙂
We recently went through a similar realization in our house…I use to insist that Little Miss be in bed by 7:15. However, I realized that on most nights, this left us very little time to spend with her after school/work and so we pushed it back just a hair. Now we all enjoy dinner, bath, and lots of books. Much happier momma and baby!
Waverly is such a doll baby! Love her little pig tails. I am so glad you got your snuggle time back. I have to admit, that is certainly my favorite part of everyday, too! Thanks for hosting this sweet little link up. Such a great idea.
Waver my is sooo cute!! And I love eating together too 🙂 glad you were able to adjust your routine! Thanks again for the linkup xo
I absolutely love this. I tend to be the same way and I have to remind myself, you never get these moments back! Rock them and snuggle them while they still want to be rocked and snuggled. Waverly is too precious!
I love this link up! Hoping I have time to blog today and join- if not for sure next week! Also love the pics of Waverly! I just told my Hubby last night that we are going to start eating as a family as much as possible bc I hate being rushed to put the girls down and cook dinner. Plus I think it's such a good habit to get into! Happy Wednesday!
That headband and those teeny pigtails are too cute!
I love this link up! I love the idea of actually making time to eat together.
I am so so so excited I stumbled upon your sweet blog and this link-up! It is so nice to see what the little things are to everyone else and to just express my own. I am expecting our sweet babe and can't wait for bed time and all the sweet moments!
XO, Brooke
Even though my husband travels during the week, we are totally stealing your meal idea for the weekends. I just recently came across your blog and have to say I am loving what I'm seeing/reading…especially this new link up! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us!
Her little faces are so cute in all of her pics!! I'm so happy you guys started this link up, very neat idea!!
I love reading to and rocking my 22 month old daughter to sleep each night! Thanks for creating this wonderful link-up!
I agree!! Changing how you do things a little bit can make a big difference!! I also got the babywise to help me with Elliot's sleeping habits. How awesome that she still falls asleep in your arms!! Enjoy!
Love this post! I follow you on Instagram, but this is my first time to your blog. The rocking chair is still one of me and my daughter's favorite times. She even says "ROCKING CHAIR!" if it seems like I might forget. I don't 😉 Love the idea of "It's the Little Things" too!
Love this link up! And your daughter's eyes are perfection.
Present is my word for 2014 too 🙂 So glad to hear that those little schedule changes are making such a big difference for your sweet family! I'm getting ready to write my post for the link-up now…yay! XOXO
PS: Waverly…such a beauty, as always!!!
Thank you for inviting me to join this link-up friend!! "It's the Little Things" is such a wonderful topic! I am expecting a baby girl very soon and I am so looking forward to the snuggles in our future!
i am loving this link up! I don't have a blog, but i sure do love reading them! 🙂
Thank you so much for hosting this link up! I so enjoyed linking up and talking about the little things. I feel like I too often rush through the bed time routine too and your post helped me remember that I should take my time and cherish every minute. Thank you!
She is just so precious! I also rock Aislynn every night and absolutely love that bonding time with her. Reminds me of the newborn days where they would lay there and you could feel their breath on your cheek. Makes me melt every time!
I adore this, and I too have too made it my top priority to live in the moment and enjoy the little things. I just discovered your blog (and love it) so I'm a day late to the post, but I'll catch you guys next Wednesday. I'm also new to blogging, so I want to make sure I link up properly. Do I just post the link to your blog and the "little things" photo in my post? Or is there more to it? Please help the rookie!(: haha.
Hi! I just came across your blog through Brooke over at Pieces of the Reese Life. She mentioned this link-up and I loved the sound of it! I'm so glad that I found your blog and I can't wait to follow along and participate in this awesome link-up next week!
It's awesome that you were able to adjust your routine! I just changed my schedule to spend two mornings at home with Clay and it had been the best! I love rocking him at night but Mike does too so I have to share the duty 🙁
Love this series. I'll have to try to link up next week.
what a cutie! love her headband
Your new routine sounds great. Waverly's pigtails are too cute! Four nights a week my husband works late(which hopefully will be changing soon) so it's just me and all 3 of the kiddos. It is really important that we have a routine. At about 7-7:30 the boys and I take Emily to her bedroom and rock her, read a book or two and they each give her a kiss goodnight and she is down for the night. My middle son is big on telling made up stories and lately requests that we tell Emily a scary monster story haha.(She is just about to turn one!)
Stacy
http://www.EmilyKateG.Blogspot.com
Very nice blog, didn't know! What about follow each others?
In The Checkout Line – Fashionblog
In The Checkout Line – Fashionblog
In The Checkout Line – Fashionblog
I love this idea! I will be linking up next week! I also rock my son, Noah, to sleep every night and it's one of my favorite things. I put some music on and we sit in the dark as he drifts off to sleep. I will definitely miss this and look back at it fondly when he's grown. Glad to hear the slight change in your schedule has had such a positive result 🙂