The Nighttime Delaying Tactics of a Child

My husband and I tag team at bedtime.  It is the only way to keep our household running somewhat smoothly giving us a chance to get our separate to-do items done so that we can spend some time with each other before we go to bed.  Sometimes our "together time" is comprised of sitting in bed having a tug-of-war over the remote while arguing about whether to watch Cops or Real Housewives of Orange County.

Our routine is this: I put the 6 month old in her crib and my husband tucks in our 2-year old. To bad our 2-year old doesn't stay in bed.  It seems she has this built in antennae that tells her when her daddy has stepped foot on the first floor.  She hops out of bed and stands in the doorway yelling (to make sure she is heard wherever we are in the house).

"Mommy, juice." Ah, yes, the timeless delaying classic.

"Daddy, want kisses. " Daddy is going to work on finishing putting a ceiling up in our basement.

"Sissy, hugs." Sissy can't exactly give hugs since she is only 6 months old.

"I want teeth brushes."  Yep, a child who actually wants her teeth brushed.

"Cheer dolly.  Want cheer dolly." The offending doll that is dressed like a cheerleader and sings "Wiggle It" courtesy of my mother and that is already in her bed, along with fifteen of her closest friends (aka her stuffed animals).

"Mommy mess." The black piece of string laying on the beige colored carpet in the hallway does not constitute a mess.  For those of you that have read previous posts, this seems to be my daughter's favorite phrase.
 
"Mommy, tissue." I am so not falling for that one.

All these are toddlerese for I am sooo not ready for bed.  Too bad.  Mommy and daddy are ready for bed.  Night-night. 

Note: After a couple minutes she is snuggled up fast asleep in her bed underneath her blanket with her dolly clutched to her chest.  It would seem she does have everything she needs after all.