Showing humility

In my experience, there is nothing like Alby to remind you of what being humble is all about.

Ever since Alby was newborn I have followed the same bed time routine. There's nothing special about it, truth be told it's actually rather boring in how textbook it is: bath, change, story and a feed with Alby falling asleep in my arms before I place him gently in bed and walk away.
In recent months however, coinciding exactly with when Alby learnt that he was so clever that not only could he sit up in his cot but also pull himself up on the railings and have a good bounce about, things have not gone quite so smoothly. 

Whoever said that active babies sleep brilliantly because they knacker themselves out during the day clearly hasn't met Alby.  Now when I lie him down fast asleep he rolls over, sits up, pulls himself up, jumps about and laughs at me.  From a nice simply routine, I now often find myself engaged in an hour of play, cuddles, feeds and lullabies.

Tonight however, my little man went from bath to bed in twenty minutes.  And I walked out of his room like the cat who got the cream, sickening in my smugness.
And rightly so.  Clearly the speedy bedtime is all down to my wonderful parenting skills which show unequivocally what a brilliant mother I am.

Or at least I was for a whole two hours until Alby woke up again and it took me three attempts over half and hour to properly settle him.  So much for me being the super mum!

Don't go thinking this example is unique.  In my pre-baby life I was a terrible one for judging mothers.  For thinking I could do it better.  And for thinking that the baby's reaction and emotions were a direct result of what the parent did or didn't do.  I have no idea why Alby fell asleep so easily tonight when other nights have taken three times as long.  Nor do I know why he struggled to settle afterwards.  And I have no idea how he will sleep tomorrow or the night after.  I'll keep to my role, as patiently as I can. 

For now, I have a sleeping baby upstairs and a sleeping dog besides me.  Bedtime calls....