The Eternal Optimist

My toddler son is an optimist.

Every night we have the same bedtime routine. He takes a bath. He plays in his diaper. I put his pajamas on. I read him a story (or two). We say bedtime prayers. I sing some songs. I kiss him goodnight, tell him I love him and put him in his crib. With very few variances, this has been our routine for over a year now.

After this, Aaron has his own routine. I put him in the bed and he starts crying and screaming, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" This is where the optimist in him comes in. As I said, we have been doing this same routine for over a year, and I have never gone back in there after I put him down for bed. Yet, every single night he calls to me. Every single night! I just know he is in there thinking, "This is it! This is the night she will come back in and get me out of this crib! Maybe she can't hear me. So, I will scream louder!" And he continues to yell, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" Then, a few minutes later, he goes to sleep.

Every night, without fail, he calls to me after I have put him down for bed. Each night is a new hope. You have to give the kid points for persistence!