Well, I like to keep my routines very simple for a few reasons. First, I don't want to be the only one who can do it and second I don't want it to take forever and third I don't want the routine to become a prop so he can still sleep if we are not at home. For naps when I start seeing tired signs I say something about him being ready for a nap (not always the same thing). I pick him up and hug him tight and kiss him and cuddle as we go up to his room. I close the blinds if they are not already closed, change his diaper, and swaddle him on the changing table talking very softly to him the whole time. I then give him a few more kisses, pick him up and carry him over to the crib, one last kiss and hug and put him in. I then rub his head and tell him it is time for him to go to sleep that I love him and will see him when he wakes up. I then leave the room. Nighttime is basically the same routine except we don't necessarily look for tired signs.. at 8:30 we darken the room, put on some soft music, have a bath, lotion, pj's, then nurse at 9, then a story and cuddle and then the rest of the routine... diaper, swaddle, bed. He is in bed by 9:30. The entire naptime routine takes about 5 minutes from picking him up to leaving the room. The bedtime routine is obviously more drawn out with his bath and all.
Amanda