I feel a little bad this morning. I am working an extra day, and I don't enjoy being away from my son any more than I have to. My wife had a "girl's night out" with her friends, so it was just me and my son last night. He didn't take a nap in the afternoon, so that usually means he will fall asleep during dinner, and last night was no exception. I quickly cleaned him up (red pasta sauce makes quite a mess) and took him to the couch, where he slept on my chest. I love doing this because I get to be close to him, and I just get to look at him and the little boy he has become. I think of all the possibilities and all the joy he has brought into my life.

It got to the point where I didn't think he was going to wake up, so I got him ready for bed. After an abbreviated bedtime routine, I tucked him in, told him how much I loved him, and left the room. He seemed to wake up a little, but I thought he would quickly go back to sleep. He started (and continued to) babble for the next 45 minutes or so. He really did wake up, and I felt as though those 45 minutes were lost time. I wanted to go back into his room and play with him, but I also wanted not to get him started on going to bed then being able to get up and play. I really felt guilty about this. After the first 15 minutes or so, I went into his room and read him two more bedtime books, and that was it. He put his arms around my neck and kissed me "night-night". I really wish I would have had better intuition and known that he was going to wake up. I just feel a little guilty, and I wish I would have made the right decision. I may be over reacting also. I just don't know. What I do know is that I appreciate and cherish every single minute I get to spend with my son.