Goodnight, Baby!

Jovie has fallen into a strange routine before any "ni-night" time (nap or nighttime bed).  After books and prayers and songs and kissses from Mommy and Daddy, I snuggle her up in her blankies, find whichever stuffy is the favorite for the day, and make sure she's "tozy," as she says.  Then she starts her monologue. It is really a conglomeration of phrases that came from some verbal exchange that had meaning at one time or another. Now, she just rattles them off in a row and doesn't expect a response- they are merely her routine. This all comes out in one sentence: "Make sure Howie doesn't growl make sure Howie doesn't bark take care of Howie send Daddy goodnight Baby."  Then there is a pause, and she waits expectantly for me to call back as I'm heading up the stairs "Goodnight, Baby!"  I do, and then there is one more "Goodnight, Baby" from her.  Then she settles in and gets comfy.  Somehow, this whole thing is comforting for her.