Veronika is seven months old today! These little monthly birthdays are great moments to take stock as a parent; you can marvel at how far your baby has come, and also pause to think about what’s working and what maybe isn’t anymore.

To wit, Veronika’s bedtime routine has shifted considerably since she was a newborn (when, by “routine”, I mean there completely wasn’t one!)

Now, she has a set bedtime (6.30) which allows us as a family to decide how we want to spend that last hour before bed.

No matter what your routine looks like, I highly recommend making sure there are no phone calls and no visitors. Where is my phone during all of this? Charging and on silent!

So first up, it’s time to eat a yummy dinner!

Next up is bath and jammies.

It’s okay to invite a stuffed animal friend over, of course.

We pause to read a story. Veronika likes to help turn pages.

Then she watches big brother take a bath – her dry tub makes a perfect play pen!

And that first little tooth needs a brush!

Then it’s lullabies and lights out.