Bubba raises no objection when I actually put her to bed, and within 15 minutes usually looks something like this, sleeping soundly {although a little seriously this particular evening} and cuddling one of her loveys.

I have noticed in the past few nights she has attempted a few stalling tactics en route to bed. She hasn’t actually asked to stay up, nor has she disagreed when I derailed her tactics; it’s just been interesting to watch.

The linger on mumma’s bed after bottle and stories {whose numbers seem to increase each night, or if I only take a couple of books with us to begin with, again? is a more frequent request} is a little longer than before.

I cuggle Bear Bear. Again. I cuggle Bella. I lie down. More cuggle Bear Bear?

Not that I nor the dogs are complaining about that extra love! I cuggle mumma is followed by I walk {as opposed to me carrying her from my bed to hers which I’ve done every day and night for the preceding two years one month and one week}.

I walk means holding mumma’s hand and meandering up the hallway, all 10 steps, stopping to say goodnight to Clarence the Cow. Giving Cow a kiss. Or two. Cow a cuggle? Night night Cow.

Then and only then allowing herself to be swept up in my arms and put into bed.

Until last night.

I wish I had captured the look on her face on film as she had the idea the second she stood up from giving Clarence a kiss. It was insightful, cheeky and a proud moment all at once as a vague smile crept over her gorgeous face and she took two steps back in the direction of my bed. Her own little attempt at ‘maybe I’m not quite ready for bed yet’.

All it took was me to ask her to stop: Bubba your bed is this way. She looked at me, admitted defeat – smile still firmly in place – as she put her arms up for a cuggle.

I love you mumma. *Sigh*

I love you too Bubba. All the way to the moon and back.