A typical night with a two year old (New post for L and T)

We start getting him ready for bed after his bath. This is usually around 8:00. You'd think he'd soon be in bed and asleep, wouldn't you? Not so. It then takes time to get him ready for bed, to read books, to get him in bed and to get him to sleep. We've been getting a bit better at it (we haven't had to go for a drive to make him fall asleep for over a week) but it's still a two hour thing. Here's what happens:

Bathtime - 8:00 (splash, splash, get Dad wet, run around with towel on, "I'm cold Mom").

Pre-Bedtime: 8:30(changing diaper, getting pjs on "Not that one", chasing Calum)

Bedtime: 9:00
(Calum, fresh from his bath and in his pjs)
(Mom): It's almost bedtime
(C): I don't want to (picture a pout with lip out, arms crossed and a mad little face)
(Mom): Two more minutes
(C): No! (Glares at Mom).
(Mom): OK, let's go.
(C): (Hides behind the chair)
(Mom): Say goodnight to Dad
(C): No!
(Mom): Come on, let's go. Turn off your tv (Batman or Spidey show playing in the background).
(C): No! (turns off tv)
(Mom): (prompting) Goodnight Dad.
(C): (starts to head for the kitchen)
(Mom): (Leaving the room) Goodnight Dad.
(C): (Entering the room, grabs Mom's hand) 'Night Dad
(Mom): Give him a kiss
(C): (Runs back and gives Dad a hug)
(Dad): Kiss.
(C): (big hug)
(Dad): (slightly wet from the water fight at bathtime) OK, hug. Goodnight Calum
(Mom and C): (walking down the hall to the bedroom) Goodnight Des, Goodnight Dakota (Dakota is usually downstairs on the computer and Des is in her room)
(C): 'Night Des.... NIGHT DES. NIGHT DES!!!!
(D): Goodnight Calum
(C): (Entering bedroom) Books?
(Mom): Just two
(C): OK
(Mom): You pick.
(C): (Sorting through stack of about 20 books under the bed). This one, this one, this one, this one, this one....
(Mom): Just two
(C): (Smiles) OK
(Mom): Which two?
(C): (Grabing a stack of 1o) This one.
(Mom): OK, three.
(C): OK.
(Mom): Get into bed and I'll pass you the books.
(C): (Jumping on the bed, pointing at his new ladybug light, throwing himself down and jumping back up)
(Mom): Which three? Spiderman? Batman? How about these ones?
(C): Spiderman. Batman (Grabs the stack of 10)
(Mom): OK.

9:30
(Books have been read, twice)
(Mom): Time for sleep
(C): No. I don't want to.
(Mom): Come on, we've got to go to the Old DC tomorrow.
(C): No!
(Mom): Yes. Sleep.
(C): Up please. (Points to the living room).
(Mom): No.
(C): Mama, up please. No sleep! (Starts to get up from bed)
(Mom): Sleep!!!
(C): Dad? Dad!
(Mom): No Dad. Sleep
(C): (crying, rolling around on the bed) No, sleep. Mama, no sleep. (Crying continues, getting quieter and quieter).

9:35
(Calum cuddles up to Mom, sniffles continue).

9:40
(Calum is asleep)

You think that would be it for the night but lately we've had him waking up at 1 or 2am and trying to get up. Then again at 3, 5, or 6......I think he's teething again.

So that's a typical night of putting Calum to bed. I used to think I'd get a lot done when I put him down for the night, now I'm lucky if I can stay awake. If I do, I know I still have to get to bed at a decent hour because we still have the whole night to get through.

Two year olds. Enough said.