They had their bottles, got changed into their sleepers and I read them their stories. Then came the hard part. Joseph and Phillip did not seem all that keen on going into their cribs. They screamed, they cried, they threw things at me. From what I was able to ascertain, the main issue was that it was too hot in their room. Try explaining to angry one year old infants that screaming and flinging themselves around their cribs while throwing toys is not going to make them feel better. In fact, it will probably make it a whole lot worse. I tried. It doesn't work. On that note, everyone who has watched me sit and explain things to my children thinks I'm very odd. I will sit down with them and speak to them in full sentences, using big words, and explain rationally why they shouldn't climb all over the furniture, bite their siblings, eat the dog's toys. People laugh about it and say things like: "They're babies. They don't understand you." However, I watch my kids all the time reason things out. I see the looks I get when they do things I know they know are wrong. I firmly believe that babies understand a heck of a lot more than people give them credit for. And besides, it's never too early to speak to your kids properly.
Back on topic, the boys did eventually quiet down and they are now asleep. If the past few nights are any indication, it should stay this way. I will continue to read to them every night. I already have my eye on a few new books I may add to the rotation. I need some variety here. I can only read the same thing over and over every single night before I go a little loony. This is saying a lot for me. I have been known to read the same treasured books over and over multiple times, but I can now recite Good Night Moon and I Love You Forever verbatim by heart. I dream their illustrations. It's a little scary. I am very glad we did the sleep training. Granted, I now get up earlier in the morning, but I also go to bed earlier. As a result, I feel that I am a lot more productive as a writer, as a props manager, as a property manager, and most importantly, as a mom. Hopefully my kids agree.