Dear Joshua: Mommy Loves Bedtime

Joshua, 

I absolutely love bedtime. Not because I get three-ish hours of time to myself, though that is more amazing than I ever thought possible, but because I love spending time with you in your room. I love zipping you into your sleeper, I love playing with you on the floor, I love chasing you across the room, and dragging you away from the humidifier. I love pulling you into my lap, nursing you one last time, wrapping you all warm and snuggly in a blanket. I love reading you a book, and singing "You Are My Sunshine" and "Have I Told You Lately that I Love You" while you wiggle around and suck on your fingers. I love saying "Sleepy time, Mommy loves you!" over and over and over, and I love when you bend backward in my lap to grin joyfully at Stanley the Monkey. I love saying "Dear Jesus, thank you for Joshua ... Help him to sleep! Amen!" 

But most of all, I love when you heave a sigh, lay your little hand on my shoulder, and rest your cheek on your arm. Your eyes start to droop, your little red lips hang open, and you begin to drift off to sleep. 

And my heart bursts with sheer joy and awe--I am a Mommy, and you are my baby boy. Forever and ever. 

Mommy loves you Little Buddy! 8 months old, and more and more adorable each and every day!