April - July
Nap time and bedtime are not always the calmest times of day. They often start out with some objections, then some jumping on beds/couch or swinging by a sibling, usually end with a story or book, and always result in angel faces. There is something heavenly about watching a little one sleep (or, as in the case below, the tired daddy of a little one asleep).
I got suspicious when an hour had passed since Matt took the boys upstairs for a nap. He deserves one, too. Look at those faces.
I forgot to include that royalty sometimes grace our nap times as well.
Oliver's face is often peeking above the end of his crib when I come upstairs to get him in the morning. And that chubby finger of his... that means he's spotted me.
Amy is usually way more fun than I am when putting the kids to bed. She swings and sings and wrestles and gives piggy backs and reads and whatever else the Littles come up with and she's willing to do. She's a good egg, that Amy Elizabeth.
She also helps with teeth brushing, which usually includes a chase. This was actually Oliver's first experience with the toothbrush. He wasn't quite sure what to do with it. When all else fails, chew on it.
I went in to check on Oliver Mac and found him like this. Love his little tabernacle.
Oliver Mac thought laying in Daniel's bed for nap time was a fabulous idea!
When it's Daniel's nap time Oliver Mac sleeps in his pack n' play in Amy's closet. For so long he would snuggle up when I was putting him down for his nap. It's like he knew it was time for a nap and he was ready for it. He doesn't do that all the time now, and it often takes him a bit to settle down into his nap. But then he's out.
This is a common scene at bedtime. We have been going through the pictures from the "scripture art kit" and reading the story and scripture on the back. Kate and Daniel are pretty good at listening and answering a question or two. Oliver is good at wondering around. I know I'm going to miss this when they get older. It's scenes like this that I simply want to hold in my memory forever.
The following pictures are just a smattering of the Littles sleeping. I love their hearts and am grateful to be their mama (especially when they are sleeping...). There is something calming about watching them sleep. On days when they wipe me out I often try to go upstairs and watch them sleep to bring back some of the calm that was elusive during the day.
