Bedtime routine

We have long realized that our little boy for sure likes his bedtime routine. He was pretty tiny still when he made it clear that doing anything besides going to bed after 7:30 PM was not in the picture. Every so often he'll get off schedule or let us stay up late without punishment, but most of the time he makes it very evident that he should be in the bath and then in the bed by that time at the latest.
Tonight I pulled him out if the bed at 8:00 when he cried instead of helping him back to sleep like usual. This is definitely not the norm, and I was worried it would come back to bite me. Thankfully it did not. I had yet to eat dinner since his dinner, bath, and going to bed had taken from 5-7. I was making my dinner when he woke, so I brought him out so I could eat. I seldom put my needs before his, but tonight I couldn't wait any longer. Especially with his daddy in the field, I think mommies get a free pass every once in a while.
The other thing I've noticed lately with bedtime is that in the past few weeks he has really begun to know and recognize the lullaby I sing to him. He now will smile and calm down when I sing it. I think he was singing along with me tonight. That, or he was imitating Billy Crystal from When Harry Met Sally. The part when they are talking on the phone and he practices moaning. That is exactly what Rolli sounds like as he is putting himself to sleep lately. It is spot on.
We are still cosleeping and I'm not sure if we will be changing that anytime soon. When my husband and I were discussing it, we both got sad at the thought of him not sleeping with us anymore. I know we will get there, but it is just not yet. We are savoring the snuggles while they last.