Libros and Bedtime.

Since February is the month of love I thought I'd share something Liam loves. Books. Or as we call them, Libros. Here are his current favorites that we read at least once a day and  always before bed.

1. La Tortuga Azul (The Blue Turtle) - This book has been his favorite for a while now. It's about a turtle that arrives first for a picnic even though he's the slowest. I found this book at Goodwill when I was pregnant. I'm always on the look out for books in Spanish and have lucked out a few times at our local thrift stores. 
2. Tortillitas Para Mamá and Other Nursery Rhymes- This book is in English and Spanish and we found it at Barnes and Nobles. It contains lots of Hispanic nursery rhymes and songs. Tortillitas para Mamá is probably Liam's favorite thyme. He loves to tap his hand on his leg to the beat. 
3. Mi Amor Por ti/ My love for You- This book was a Christmas present from Liam's Abuelita. He absolutely loves to look at all the animals in the book. 
4. Los Pollitos Dicen/ The Baby Chicks are Singing - We sing this one more than read it. It's a cute little song and Liam insists on turning the pages.

 While on the subject of books and bedtime, I also want to share our families little routine.

When it's time for bed my husband takes Liam into his room and reads him his favorite books in our old vintage rocker. Then he says, "Ahora, cepillate los dientes, Liam." (Now, brush your teeth, Liam).  I'm usually sitting on the couch taking a much needed break at this point and I see Liam shoot out of his room and into his bathroom. After Daddy helps Liam brush his teeth it's my turn to take over. I sing Liam a lullaby in Spanish and then an Irish lullaby while we rock together. I've done this since he was first born and will continue to do it for as long as he lets me!

This is from this past November, but it was the most recent picture of the two of them in the rocking chair reading.

The Spanish lullaby is called "Duerme Niña". Of course, I change it to niño. I tried to find a YouTube video of it, but none of them were the right version, so here are the lyrics.
  
Duerme Mi Niña         
Duérmete mi niña,
duérmete mi amor,
duérmete pedazo,
de mi corazón.

Esta niña linda,
que nació de día,
quiere que la lleven,
a la dulcería.

Esta niña linda,
que nació de noche,
quiere que la lleven,
a pasear en coche.

The Irish lullaby is "Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra". I remember my mom singing it to me when I was little. Here is the link to a YouTube video of it. I love hearing this old Irishman sing it! 

An Irish Lullaby (Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra)

Over in Killarney,
Many years ago,
Me mother sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good old Irish way,
And I'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush, now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That's an Irish lullaby.

When Pablo isn't home (which happens quite often even without a deployment) Liam watches videos of Daddy reading his favorite books on the iPad.Then I read him a few more, brush his teeth and sing. We try to keep the same routine even when Daddy isn't home. <3