Happy Thanksgiving!
We spent the time with family in a small town.
The fall colors were absolutely stunning!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
We spent the time with family in a small town.
The fall colors were absolutely stunning!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Long time away...
It has been a while since I've written anything. Just busy with the usual stuff. Well, Halloween was fantastic; we trick or treated the night before, at the Aquarium. My parents were in town which was really nice.
Then B turned TWO this week! Sometimes we can tell...
But mostly he is fairly low-maintenance and easy-going.
It has been a good fall so far. We are starting a 2year old soccer class this Saturday. Hopefully it will be fun.
Also, we are going to try to start exercising more as well...
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
"I need ball!!"
So, this morning, B was playing with a bouncy blue ball and it kept going under tables, etc. When he couldn't reach it, he yelled out "I need ball! I need ball!" A couple of times it even sounded like "I need a ball!"
[he also says "I got it!" and "I'll be back." (he was born in California under Schwarzenegger's governorship...)]
I am fairly impressed with this, even through my sleep deprived state...the first night in his big boy bed, B slept 9 hours straight in his new bed. After that, it has been pretty much a nightmare. He's been up 2-3 times every night. Last night was the worst yet. We tried to put him to bed at his regular time and he demanded more food. So we brought him back downstairs and he ate half a ham and cheese sandwich. He finally went to sleep close to 10 pm. Then at 2 am, he was up - demanding more food! GH took him downstairs and gave him some milk, then he fell asleep at almost 3 am. Then he was up again at 5:30ish, fell back asleep after a little milk and then up again at 7 am.
Needless to say, none of us were in the cheeriest moods at the breakfast table... ;)
UGH. I am so tired and it is only Wednesday.
[he also says "I got it!" and "I'll be back." (he was born in California under Schwarzenegger's governorship...)]
I am fairly impressed with this, even through my sleep deprived state...the first night in his big boy bed, B slept 9 hours straight in his new bed. After that, it has been pretty much a nightmare. He's been up 2-3 times every night. Last night was the worst yet. We tried to put him to bed at his regular time and he demanded more food. So we brought him back downstairs and he ate half a ham and cheese sandwich. He finally went to sleep close to 10 pm. Then at 2 am, he was up - demanding more food! GH took him downstairs and gave him some milk, then he fell asleep at almost 3 am. Then he was up again at 5:30ish, fell back asleep after a little milk and then up again at 7 am.
Needless to say, none of us were in the cheeriest moods at the breakfast table... ;)
UGH. I am so tired and it is only Wednesday.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Big Boy Bed!!
So, we solved the bed issue. GH removed the front of B's crib tonight before bed and B loved it!! He was SO PROUD of his "big boy" bed. He said "big! big!"He spent half an hour or so jumping on and off the bed. All in all, it was a great success. I hope he sleeps well tonight!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
New Baby Monitor and Toddler Bed Issues
Well, the baby monitor that we inherited from GH's sister has officially "retired."
That is to say, it decided to quit last night. It was clear that something was wrong with the switch that changes the channels. The signal indicator light was lit up no matter which channel the switch was on (it should only come on when it matches the channel on the receiver in B's room). And it just felt "loose."
GH and I took the whole thing apart in a last ditch attempt to salvage it but to no avail.
I have a feeling this untimely demise is due directly to B "playing" with the monitor, in particular when he dropped it at least once on the bathroom floor yesterday.
This means a trip to Walmart today to look for a new one. We must have one because for the time being, B is still sleeping in his crib (at the lowest level). But almost every night when trying to put him to sleep, he attempts to climb over the side, and we are obviously afraid he will fall out and get hurt.
What I need to do until we decide on a toddler bed is put some pillows/quilts on the floor next to the crib. I will do that tonight- somehow I just keep forgetting.
So I didn't sleep that well last night, keeping "aware" for the slightest noise. The other issue is that we have 2 cats that we don't want in the bedrooms, so both doors must stay closed, which further inhibits our hearing ability without the monitor.
What to do about a "big boy" bed? GH wants to convert his crib to a toddler bed, which should be possible. I would be ok with either a mattress on the floor or a little bed from IKEA children. I will post what we decide to do about this issue.
*Hopefully* the monitor we buy today will get a lot more good use.
That is to say, it decided to quit last night. It was clear that something was wrong with the switch that changes the channels. The signal indicator light was lit up no matter which channel the switch was on (it should only come on when it matches the channel on the receiver in B's room). And it just felt "loose."
GH and I took the whole thing apart in a last ditch attempt to salvage it but to no avail.
I have a feeling this untimely demise is due directly to B "playing" with the monitor, in particular when he dropped it at least once on the bathroom floor yesterday.
This means a trip to Walmart today to look for a new one. We must have one because for the time being, B is still sleeping in his crib (at the lowest level). But almost every night when trying to put him to sleep, he attempts to climb over the side, and we are obviously afraid he will fall out and get hurt.
What I need to do until we decide on a toddler bed is put some pillows/quilts on the floor next to the crib. I will do that tonight- somehow I just keep forgetting.
So I didn't sleep that well last night, keeping "aware" for the slightest noise. The other issue is that we have 2 cats that we don't want in the bedrooms, so both doors must stay closed, which further inhibits our hearing ability without the monitor.
What to do about a "big boy" bed? GH wants to convert his crib to a toddler bed, which should be possible. I would be ok with either a mattress on the floor or a little bed from IKEA children. I will post what we decide to do about this issue.
*Hopefully* the monitor we buy today will get a lot more good use.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Potty Training
In the last week, B has made amazing progress with using his potty.
This was all self-initiated by him.
One day last week he just asked me after his bath if he could use his potty (not in so many words). And he did. Since then he has asked at least once a day to go on the potty and the record so far is 3 times in one day I think, although it may have been 4. He already used it once this morning.
It's cute the way he "has" to have 2 of his stuffed animals with him- Mickey and Tigger. I have no idea why these two got stuck with potty duty, but such is life right?
This was all self-initiated by him.
One day last week he just asked me after his bath if he could use his potty (not in so many words). And he did. Since then he has asked at least once a day to go on the potty and the record so far is 3 times in one day I think, although it may have been 4. He already used it once this morning.
It's cute the way he "has" to have 2 of his stuffed animals with him- Mickey and Tigger. I have no idea why these two got stuck with potty duty, but such is life right?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Vocabulary
B has added so many words to his vocabulary in the past 6 weeks. It is truly amazing. The best part- aside from how cute he sounds- is the vast improvement in communication! Finally he is able to tell us a little more about what he wants instead of just crying.
This is a great relief.
Another cool part is that about half his words are in Spanish (my husband's native language) and half in English. He chooses what to say in each language on his own. He also says a couple of words in both - "Hi/Hola" and "mas/more." This is fascinating and sweet.
In exciting news on this subject, just this week he started saying 2 word phrases! He said "Bye bye 'name'" as well as "mas apple". (he calls pineapple 'apple' and it is one of his favorite treats)
On a side note, he drew a picture this week and told me what he was drawing without me asking. He drew a lot of spirally lines and said it was "manga", which is his word for "manguera," the Spanish word for "garden hose."
This is a great relief.
Another cool part is that about half his words are in Spanish (my husband's native language) and half in English. He chooses what to say in each language on his own. He also says a couple of words in both - "Hi/Hola" and "mas/more." This is fascinating and sweet.
In exciting news on this subject, just this week he started saying 2 word phrases! He said "Bye bye 'name'" as well as "mas apple". (he calls pineapple 'apple' and it is one of his favorite treats)
On a side note, he drew a picture this week and told me what he was drawing without me asking. He drew a lot of spirally lines and said it was "manga", which is his word for "manguera," the Spanish word for "garden hose."
Latest Sleep Update
So B is still not an easy sleeper but things have stayed good the last few months compared to the first 15.
He usually goes to sleep at about 9 pm and wakes up about 5 am, breastfeeds and then snoozes til around 7-7:30 am. This is the only time we breastfeed anymore on a typical day. And I am not sure how we will stop but I know eventually it will happen.
He has started to watch a little TV, so in the mornings if we are still particularly exhausted at 7 am, we can usually snooze for 30 min-1 hour more by giving him a banana and a "Maba" (sippy cup with milk) and turning on Playhouse Disney. His favorites are Handy Manny and the Clubhouse. We also like Little Einsteins and My Friends Tigger and Pooh.
We try to get him in bed by 8-8:30pm, but even if we put him in the bed by then he usually doesn't fall asleep til 9 anyway so it seems like a waste of time and effort.
He continues to nap fairly well most days. Typically b/tw 2-3 hours. Lately it's been either right before or right after lunch.
He and I went to visit my parents out of state for two weeks this month and he really did pretty well sleeping away from home I thought. And we also went to visit my husband's family (out of country actually) and B slept extremely well while we were there but unfortunately was having some eating issues on the trip. This made for a bit of a stressful time for everyone. And who is to say what brings about "eating strikes" in toddlers? I have read about it and this is a fairly common occurrence of various debatable causes. I guess if it happens to coincide with a visit to the in laws...it's just worse luck.
He usually goes to sleep at about 9 pm and wakes up about 5 am, breastfeeds and then snoozes til around 7-7:30 am. This is the only time we breastfeed anymore on a typical day. And I am not sure how we will stop but I know eventually it will happen.
He has started to watch a little TV, so in the mornings if we are still particularly exhausted at 7 am, we can usually snooze for 30 min-1 hour more by giving him a banana and a "Maba" (sippy cup with milk) and turning on Playhouse Disney. His favorites are Handy Manny and the Clubhouse. We also like Little Einsteins and My Friends Tigger and Pooh.
We try to get him in bed by 8-8:30pm, but even if we put him in the bed by then he usually doesn't fall asleep til 9 anyway so it seems like a waste of time and effort.
He continues to nap fairly well most days. Typically b/tw 2-3 hours. Lately it's been either right before or right after lunch.
He and I went to visit my parents out of state for two weeks this month and he really did pretty well sleeping away from home I thought. And we also went to visit my husband's family (out of country actually) and B slept extremely well while we were there but unfortunately was having some eating issues on the trip. This made for a bit of a stressful time for everyone. And who is to say what brings about "eating strikes" in toddlers? I have read about it and this is a fairly common occurrence of various debatable causes. I guess if it happens to coincide with a visit to the in laws...it's just worse luck.
Teeth Brushing
This has actually been brewing around in my mind for quite a while, and a fellow blogger blogged about it today so I thought I would share my thoughts as well.
On the surface, oral care seems such a simple, mundane task, correct?
Okay, now try doing it with a squirmy 1-2 year old who may or (more likely) may not want your fingers or the toothbrush in his mouth.
This is an aspect of parenting that honestly never ONCE crossed my mind in all the years I dreamed of having a baby, when I was pregnant or even for the first 6 months or so of his life.
Then one day I realized that I would be responsible every morning and every night for the next few years or so for this other person's teeth. I am sure that I am not alone in this. No one sits around at baby showers discussing the best toddler toothpaste or the correct brushing technique. It sort of reminds me of watching your favorite TV show, I mean there are just a lot of everyday details that are simply left out. For me this was one of those. I considered a million details of caring for my baby while I was pregnant; the best diapers, the best foods, the best bedding, the best shoes, the best way to launder his clothes, etc etc etc...but the tooth brushing thing somehow just fell through the cracks.
If you've never had to do it, what I am saying may not make a whole lot of sense.
But believe me, when you have been bitten hard enough to bring tears to your eyes, it will.
On the surface, oral care seems such a simple, mundane task, correct?
Okay, now try doing it with a squirmy 1-2 year old who may or (more likely) may not want your fingers or the toothbrush in his mouth.
This is an aspect of parenting that honestly never ONCE crossed my mind in all the years I dreamed of having a baby, when I was pregnant or even for the first 6 months or so of his life.
Then one day I realized that I would be responsible every morning and every night for the next few years or so for this other person's teeth. I am sure that I am not alone in this. No one sits around at baby showers discussing the best toddler toothpaste or the correct brushing technique. It sort of reminds me of watching your favorite TV show, I mean there are just a lot of everyday details that are simply left out. For me this was one of those. I considered a million details of caring for my baby while I was pregnant; the best diapers, the best foods, the best bedding, the best shoes, the best way to launder his clothes, etc etc etc...but the tooth brushing thing somehow just fell through the cracks.
If you've never had to do it, what I am saying may not make a whole lot of sense.
But believe me, when you have been bitten hard enough to bring tears to your eyes, it will.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
The Past Week
It seems I am under a bad star or something this week. I know it could always be worse, but I have been having the craziest accidents. First, our upstairs hallway is pretty crowded-I have our loveseat there right now that used to be in B's room. When we got him a ball pit for his first birthday, there was no room for both, so out it went! GH warned me that it was too crowded, and in fact we've been "meaning to" move it, along with our 101 other things we've been "meaning to" do forever... :)
Well, I was going too fast out into the hallway from our room and I hit my right two little toes incredibly hard against its base. I thought for a minute they were just going to fall off! I made it through the rest of the day, but oh my, if I moved them even slightly the shooting pain was terrible! That night, GH looked at them when he got home and he didn't think they were broken, so I just kept "resting" them as much as possible. A few days after it happened I was brave enough to try to bend them, and found that I couldn't...scary. Also, the color around them, like going down my foot towards my ankle had changed to a dark bluish/purplish color. GH looked at them again and said that if they didn't improve soon, I should probably have them looked at. Well, thank God, they finally started improving some yesterday. The color is still bad, but at least I can bend them a little. And really the pain is almost gone as well.
Then, last night, I was going to broil some steaks at 500 degrees in the oven, and the recipe recommended preheating the pan you were going to use as well. Sounded sensible to me, speed up the cooking time etc. So I stuck it in while my steaks finished marinating. Meanwhile, GH got home from work, and we were talking, discussing our day and stuff. I took the pan out to start cooking the steak, while we were still talking, and I placed it on the stove top. Then, I went to retrieve the steaks from the fridge, still talking to GH, and I went back to the stove and PICKED UP the 500 degree pan with my bare hand!! AARRGHHH!!! Wow this pain was incredible...terrible terrible terrible. I immediately put my hand under the cold faucet, while GH went upstairs to get ointment and to look up the best treatment for minor burns. So I left my hand under the cold water for at least 10 minutes, as recommended, periodically taking it out to "test" and the pain was still terrible. It was largely concentrated in two spots, my left index finger and my palm. After the water treatment when I felt it was slightly lessened, I put some ointment on it. It seemed to be okay more or less, but then a few minutes later, started burning like hell again. So I got an ice pack out and kept it on for literally an hour. That really did the trick I think. I put a lot of ointment on it last night before going to bed and this morning I really hardly feel it at all. I know I am very lucky and last night when it had first happened, all I could think of was that guy on Survivor Australia (the only season I watched) when he fell into the coals. He ran into the water to put his poor hands in, then when he took them out of the water, all of his skin was just like dripping off. It was so gross! And I was sure for a moment that that was going to be me too. The pain I felt was so intense, and this is coming from a woman who had a completely natural labor and birth- no epidural, no pills, no IV meds, nothing. I really feel for real burn victims. God, if what I suffered last night was so terrible to me, then just think what they go through.
Finally, this morning, I was trying to carry B and 3 glasses downstairs with me and guess what? I moved (erm, trying to avoid said loveseat again) and banged one glass right into the wooden balcony; glass flew everywhere! Thank God, neither of us were injured. I put B into his playpen and had to vacuum the entire hallway and stairs, one by one. Not my favorite thing at any time, much less, to do on the way down to breakfast; haven't had my morning coffee etc.
So hopefully from here on out, this star will move on and I will have fewer or at least less dramatic accidents!
Well, I was going too fast out into the hallway from our room and I hit my right two little toes incredibly hard against its base. I thought for a minute they were just going to fall off! I made it through the rest of the day, but oh my, if I moved them even slightly the shooting pain was terrible! That night, GH looked at them when he got home and he didn't think they were broken, so I just kept "resting" them as much as possible. A few days after it happened I was brave enough to try to bend them, and found that I couldn't...scary. Also, the color around them, like going down my foot towards my ankle had changed to a dark bluish/purplish color. GH looked at them again and said that if they didn't improve soon, I should probably have them looked at. Well, thank God, they finally started improving some yesterday. The color is still bad, but at least I can bend them a little. And really the pain is almost gone as well.
Then, last night, I was going to broil some steaks at 500 degrees in the oven, and the recipe recommended preheating the pan you were going to use as well. Sounded sensible to me, speed up the cooking time etc. So I stuck it in while my steaks finished marinating. Meanwhile, GH got home from work, and we were talking, discussing our day and stuff. I took the pan out to start cooking the steak, while we were still talking, and I placed it on the stove top. Then, I went to retrieve the steaks from the fridge, still talking to GH, and I went back to the stove and PICKED UP the 500 degree pan with my bare hand!! AARRGHHH!!! Wow this pain was incredible...terrible terrible terrible. I immediately put my hand under the cold faucet, while GH went upstairs to get ointment and to look up the best treatment for minor burns. So I left my hand under the cold water for at least 10 minutes, as recommended, periodically taking it out to "test" and the pain was still terrible. It was largely concentrated in two spots, my left index finger and my palm. After the water treatment when I felt it was slightly lessened, I put some ointment on it. It seemed to be okay more or less, but then a few minutes later, started burning like hell again. So I got an ice pack out and kept it on for literally an hour. That really did the trick I think. I put a lot of ointment on it last night before going to bed and this morning I really hardly feel it at all. I know I am very lucky and last night when it had first happened, all I could think of was that guy on Survivor Australia (the only season I watched) when he fell into the coals. He ran into the water to put his poor hands in, then when he took them out of the water, all of his skin was just like dripping off. It was so gross! And I was sure for a moment that that was going to be me too. The pain I felt was so intense, and this is coming from a woman who had a completely natural labor and birth- no epidural, no pills, no IV meds, nothing. I really feel for real burn victims. God, if what I suffered last night was so terrible to me, then just think what they go through.
Finally, this morning, I was trying to carry B and 3 glasses downstairs with me and guess what? I moved (erm, trying to avoid said loveseat again) and banged one glass right into the wooden balcony; glass flew everywhere! Thank God, neither of us were injured. I put B into his playpen and had to vacuum the entire hallway and stairs, one by one. Not my favorite thing at any time, much less, to do on the way down to breakfast; haven't had my morning coffee etc.
So hopefully from here on out, this star will move on and I will have fewer or at least less dramatic accidents!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Funny News
So we were just watching the late local news and the reporter made a comment that just cracked me up.
There have been gang problems for years in a town of about 150,000 near here. For whatever reason, these problems tend to spike every year at the beginning of the year.
Anyway, there were a couple of shootings earlier this week in a certain shopping area of this town I'm talking about and then another today in broad daylight. 3 people dead. So obviously that's not the funny part.
But, the reporter was doing a piece about what could be behind the string of recurring violence in this particular shopping center. She said she interviewed local police and they advised her that "no one should be concerned about [...] shopping center because ***there is no more violence there than anywhere else in [city]..."***
OKAY, does anyone else see the bitter irony in his statement??!? I was practically rolling on the floor. Umm, no fewer than THREE people have been shot and killed there in the past few few days, but hey, don't worry! It's no more dangerous than the rest of our beautiful city!
Needless to say, we moved far out of that city WAY before B was born.
Terrible.
There have been gang problems for years in a town of about 150,000 near here. For whatever reason, these problems tend to spike every year at the beginning of the year.
Anyway, there were a couple of shootings earlier this week in a certain shopping area of this town I'm talking about and then another today in broad daylight. 3 people dead. So obviously that's not the funny part.
But, the reporter was doing a piece about what could be behind the string of recurring violence in this particular shopping center. She said she interviewed local police and they advised her that "no one should be concerned about [...] shopping center because ***there is no more violence there than anywhere else in [city]..."***
OKAY, does anyone else see the bitter irony in his statement??!? I was practically rolling on the floor. Umm, no fewer than THREE people have been shot and killed there in the past few few days, but hey, don't worry! It's no more dangerous than the rest of our beautiful city!
Needless to say, we moved far out of that city WAY before B was born.
Terrible.
Sleep Update
Just wanted to update on the last week or so of sleep.
What a transformation.
A typical night now looks like this:
8-8:30 pm B goes to sleep
2-3 am B wakes and falls asleep within 5 minutes-we don't take him out of his crib, we just go in and say comforting words- "shhh, night night, shhh"
4:30-5:30 am B wakes and we bring him to our bed; I nurse him 5-10 minutes and then we all sleep
7 am, one of us makes him a bottle.
Then we all snooze a little more until around 7:30 or 8 am.
This is just so much better than how things were going for us before "The No-Cry Sleep Solution." I just can't stress enough how much it has helped us and changed B's sleep habits for the better- WITHOUT having to implement the cry it out method that GH and I were so reluctant to try. If you read "The No-Cry Sleep Solution," check out the passages describing what a psychologist suggests crying it out may be like for an infant. If you're a fan of that method, I can bet this will turn your mind toward a less harsh method like "The No-Cry Sleep Solution." It certainly turned my stomach anyway.
Also, a couple of times he has skipped the 2-3 am waking, and slept all the way through to 4:30-5 am. This will happen more and more often as he adjusts I'm sure.
We are much happier, just wanted to update on how it has continued to work for us.
What a transformation.
A typical night now looks like this:
8-8:30 pm B goes to sleep
2-3 am B wakes and falls asleep within 5 minutes-we don't take him out of his crib, we just go in and say comforting words- "shhh, night night, shhh"
4:30-5:30 am B wakes and we bring him to our bed; I nurse him 5-10 minutes and then we all sleep
7 am, one of us makes him a bottle.
Then we all snooze a little more until around 7:30 or 8 am.
This is just so much better than how things were going for us before "The No-Cry Sleep Solution." I just can't stress enough how much it has helped us and changed B's sleep habits for the better- WITHOUT having to implement the cry it out method that GH and I were so reluctant to try. If you read "The No-Cry Sleep Solution," check out the passages describing what a psychologist suggests crying it out may be like for an infant. If you're a fan of that method, I can bet this will turn your mind toward a less harsh method like "The No-Cry Sleep Solution." It certainly turned my stomach anyway.
Also, a couple of times he has skipped the 2-3 am waking, and slept all the way through to 4:30-5 am. This will happen more and more often as he adjusts I'm sure.
We are much happier, just wanted to update on how it has continued to work for us.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Aquarium Saturday
So, we went to the local aquarium last weekend (and again yesterday, as a matter of fact).B had an awesome time.
The admission fee however is outrageous! They wanted $60 for my husband and I for 1 visit!! Crazy.
The membership fee for one whole year for our family was only $120, so it wasn't a difficult decision to go ahead and do this. Thus the second visit yesterday- B and I went; what a great way to spend the day! Now I have another fun option to spend time with him.
The aquarium we visit is world renowned, thus eternally packed on the weekends. The trick to going during the week as I discovered by accident yesterday is to get there around 2-2:30pm (or around 1ish if you're planning to eat lunch there like we did). That way, the school kids on field trips are all headed out already. It seemed as crowded as on the weekends when we first arrived around 1pm, but by the time we finished our lunch, we had the place to ourselves!! We spent time at several exhibits completely alone; we absorbed all the fishy goodness at our leisure.
It also helps if you find a "miraculous" parking place like we discovered last Saturday. We happened upon a 12 hour meter only blocks from the aquarium (and hey I don't mind walking a little-nice bonus exercise!) that is apparently broken and is forever "green"!! Wow. And yes, it still worked yesterday. We paid not a cent for parking.
All in all, we have been thoroughly enjoying our watery outings, and highly recommend you go check out your local aquarium as well!
Friday, February 20, 2009
SLEEP!!!
So, the moment we have been waiting for is finally here...B slept a full EIGHT hours last night, from 8:50pm until 5 am!! He stirred at 4 am, but put himself right back to sleep w/o us going to check or anything. We are still working towards an earlier bedtime, sometimes it works out better than others; he was in bed by 8pm, but it took him a while to get settled.
I feel so much better. And we used the "No Cry Sleep Solution", as mentioned previously. I am so proud of B and of us for staying patient and staying the course, especially as we had two horrendous nights earlier this week, I am positive due to a molar coming in.
I think as soon as we have the earlier bedtime, we will be seeing closer to 10 hour stretches.
This is so different from a month ago and the way we had been surviving for many months before that. Don't get me wrong, it was GREAT having B with us in our bed for so long, but finally we just needed more sleep and he seems to be the type of baby that can't sleep as deeply if he is with us.
I am impressed with how quickly Ms. Pantley's methods have succeeded for us. I also received some great advice from my Mom that helped as well.
Well, B is begging to be read to (can't imagine where he gets that!) so I have to go.
I feel so much better. And we used the "No Cry Sleep Solution", as mentioned previously. I am so proud of B and of us for staying patient and staying the course, especially as we had two horrendous nights earlier this week, I am positive due to a molar coming in.
I think as soon as we have the earlier bedtime, we will be seeing closer to 10 hour stretches.
This is so different from a month ago and the way we had been surviving for many months before that. Don't get me wrong, it was GREAT having B with us in our bed for so long, but finally we just needed more sleep and he seems to be the type of baby that can't sleep as deeply if he is with us.
I am impressed with how quickly Ms. Pantley's methods have succeeded for us. I also received some great advice from my Mom that helped as well.
Well, B is begging to be read to (can't imagine where he gets that!) so I have to go.
Monday, February 16, 2009
So. tired. today.
Well, something set us back last night with the sleep situation. Not at all sure what though.
B fell asleep MUCH better than previously, but unfortunately after 12:30am or so did not want to STAY asleep for more than an hour or so at a time. Ugh.
As far as falling asleep, we have a great routine going now.
5-6 pm dinner
6:30 pm bath
7:05 pm bottle
7:20 pm in bed; read 3-4 bedtime stories
8ish he's fallen asleep for the past 2 nights.
I think we are going to have to change the final step in our routine. We have been laying down on the floor of his room, to show him it's time to go to sleep and it's okay. But I think he's waking up and expecting to see us there in the middle of the night.
So we'll have to try tweaking that.
It was a great weekend otherwise. Unfortunately, lots of people have the day off today but not GH. So B and I will have to survive w/just each other.
Actually there's plenty to do, I just don't really want to. I'm relaxing w/my Ghirardelli chocolate flavored coffee here while B plays.
I need to: **
put clean dishes away
put clean laundry away
go to walmart
go to local market
go to post office - I realized it is a holiday, but I did put a letter I needed to mail in the box.
make sure B gets a good lunch and nap
clean breakfast mess
etc etc etc
:)
Sooo, better get to it right?
I'll just check Facebook ONE more time...
**Updated at 5:30 PST. About to go make dinner!
B fell asleep MUCH better than previously, but unfortunately after 12:30am or so did not want to STAY asleep for more than an hour or so at a time. Ugh.
As far as falling asleep, we have a great routine going now.
5-6 pm dinner
6:30 pm bath
7:05 pm bottle
7:20 pm in bed; read 3-4 bedtime stories
8ish he's fallen asleep for the past 2 nights.
I think we are going to have to change the final step in our routine. We have been laying down on the floor of his room, to show him it's time to go to sleep and it's okay. But I think he's waking up and expecting to see us there in the middle of the night.
So we'll have to try tweaking that.
It was a great weekend otherwise. Unfortunately, lots of people have the day off today but not GH. So B and I will have to survive w/just each other.
Actually there's plenty to do, I just don't really want to. I'm relaxing w/my Ghirardelli chocolate flavored coffee here while B plays.
I need to: **
put clean dishes away
put clean laundry away
clean breakfast mess
etc etc etc
:)
Sooo, better get to it right?
I'll just check Facebook ONE more time...
**Updated at 5:30 PST. About to go make dinner!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Pre-pregnancy jeans
So, I was finally brave enough to try on my pre-pregnancy jeans a couple of days ago. I haven't even looked at them in at least 6 months. The last time I tried them, I basically couldn't even get both legs in...there simply was no attempting to actually close them.
This time, success! FINALLY, most fit again!! I am ecstatic! Of course, it is still not a very pretty picture to see them on, but hey at least we are to the able-to-be-zipped-AND-buttoned point!! And it is really a great inspiration to work on losing those last few pregnancy pounds.
This time, success! FINALLY, most fit again!! I am ecstatic! Of course, it is still not a very pretty picture to see them on, but hey at least we are to the able-to-be-zipped-AND-buttoned point!! And it is really a great inspiration to work on losing those last few pregnancy pounds.
Cool Comet Will Be Most Visible at the End of this Month
Last night was particularly bad. B was up at midnight, 2 am, and I am not sure how often after that. We all got up at about 6:30 am, an hour earlier than usual. At least it's Friday. Also, breakfast has been almost impossible this week for him. No idea what the problem is. Is he not hungry? Does he not like any of the food choices offered? Blueberries were formerly one of his favorite foods, but lately he has shown a pickiness about food textures, and the skins of things like blueberries really seem to bother him. It has been very frustrating and I am hoping that good husband (GH) will handle breakfast this weekend (nice Valentine's Day present?)
Speaking of which, we each picked out our own presents this year. So much easier. Clothes for me, wine for him.
We both like what we got!! :)
In other cool scientific news, I read about this in our local weekly paper this morning:
Comet Lulin will be most visible near the end of February. It is interesting especially because of its greenish color.
Here's to good viewing (we won't be sleeping anyway, so why not try to see something unique while we're up)! ;)
Speaking of which, we each picked out our own presents this year. So much easier. Clothes for me, wine for him.
We both like what we got!! :)
In other cool scientific news, I read about this in our local weekly paper this morning:
Comet Lulin will be most visible near the end of February. It is interesting especially because of its greenish color.
Here's to good viewing (we won't be sleeping anyway, so why not try to see something unique while we're up)! ;)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chocolate..dark or white..it's all good, right?
Okay, I got your attention! Who doesn't love chocolate?
Anyway, I am starting this blog, against my husband's better wishes...he is "thoroughly private and doesn't want himself or our child mentioned."
Sorry, my good husband, but here goes...
We have a 15 month old and are currently working on sleeping issues. We do not subscribe to the "cry it out" method, so we bought "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. We have read it and for the past week we have been trying our modified version of it. We have thus far had 2 "success nights"- nights when the baby slept 7 or more hours straight without waking. I feel greatly encouraged because this is 2 nights in the past week the baby (B) has slept in such long stretches, whereas up to now it had been more than 1 YEAR since he had slept this long!!!
B is napping right now, which I am also happy about. I have been working on adjusting his nap schedule to earlier in the afternoon, to make for an easier and earlier bedtime, as recommended. Today he fell asleep for his nap at about 2 pm and it is now almost 4 pm.
Well, I am off to browse other blogs. Have a good Thursday!
(And, hey, enjoy some chocolate!)
Anyway, I am starting this blog, against my husband's better wishes...he is "thoroughly private and doesn't want himself or our child mentioned."
Sorry, my good husband, but here goes...
We have a 15 month old and are currently working on sleeping issues. We do not subscribe to the "cry it out" method, so we bought "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. We have read it and for the past week we have been trying our modified version of it. We have thus far had 2 "success nights"- nights when the baby slept 7 or more hours straight without waking. I feel greatly encouraged because this is 2 nights in the past week the baby (B) has slept in such long stretches, whereas up to now it had been more than 1 YEAR since he had slept this long!!!
B is napping right now, which I am also happy about. I have been working on adjusting his nap schedule to earlier in the afternoon, to make for an easier and earlier bedtime, as recommended. Today he fell asleep for his nap at about 2 pm and it is now almost 4 pm.
Well, I am off to browse other blogs. Have a good Thursday!
(And, hey, enjoy some chocolate!)
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