The Original Because of Love

Alyse loves baths! Every night between 7:15 and 7:30, she is in my bathroom soaking away. Now I know that babies don't need baths everyday, but she loves it. She gets so relaxed and falls asleep so fast! By 8:00pm, I am feeding her. By 8:30pm she is in bed, sound asleep, and doesn't wake up until sometime between 8 an 9 the next morning. (BTW: If you have a baby, and haven't used the Johnson's Bedtime line of body wash and lotion, you have to try it! Why? 1- It smells really good, 2-It really does work)

Here are some pictures of our little night time routine:

Now, it is time for bed. We both love bedtime. She loves to cuddle up. I rock her or just hold her, then I sing and pray in her little ear. She will just stare at me with those big blue eyes and smile. Then she drifts off to sleep. I usually play some music for her. Sometimes I play a Praise Baby CD or "Sleep Sound in Jesus", but my favorite is a new CD that I just got. It is called "Bless My Little Girl" (by Integrity Music). I love it! Here are some of my favorite song lyrics:

Song of Dedication

Lord I dedicate, yes I consecrate,

my daughter to You

For your purposes, for your perfect plans,

for all the things you'll have her do

Lord I give back to you,

this child you've given me

for she belongs to you

She's just a loan of love, a gift from above,

and I give her back to you

Oh Lord I give back to you,

this child you've given me,

for she belongs to you

She's just a loan of love, a gift from above,

and I give her back

I give her back to you, give her back to you Lord

Bless My Daughter

May she have the faith of Sarah,

May she be as loyal as Ruth

May she have the wisdom of Deborah,

always seeking truth,

always seeking truth

Father above, bless my little one.

May she grow to be a someone of God

May her prayers be heard like Hannah's,

May she have the favor of Ruth

May she be a helper like Priscilla,

always sharing love,

always sharing love

May she have the joy of Elizabeth,

May she have the strength of Abigail,

May she have a heart like Mary,

always praising God,

always praising God

Father above, bless my little one.

May she grow to be a woman,

a woman of God.

Train Up This Child

Help us to train up this child

In the way that she should go

So that she will not

Turn from you Lord

When she is old give us your wisdom

And teach us the things

That we need to know

To train up this child

In the way that she should go

Lord you have placed

A precious life in our hands

Now guve us the grace

That she may be raised

According to your plan

These songs have become part of my nightly prayer time. I know that as she gets older, Alyse may not want to cuddle up each night, but I will continue to have these words in my heart and pray them for my baby.