"Rock A Baby"

Since B was born, I have always sung either "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or the "ABCs" to calm him down and help him fall asleep.

I don't know very many lullabies at all (obviously). Last summer I traveled back to where I grew up and it was my first time alone with B in a long time. GH normally helps extensively with B's night time routine and sings him several songs in Spanish.

So one night while on the trip, I started singing "Rock a Bye Baby"out of desperation. I don't really like the part about the bough breaking, etc, so I would generally just sing the same lines over and over. As repetitive as it was, at least it calmed him down and saved my sanity during the trip.

But last fall I was ready to add a new verse to our song. One night I just started singing about the fall colors, making the lines up as I went.

Recently, I have added a spring verse to our "Rock a Baby" (that is what B calls it- "Mommy, sing 'Rock a Baby!'") and I thought I would share my verses for anyone who might also want to sing this traditional lullabye without singing the part about the bough breaking.

Here is our version:

Rock a bye baby, on a treetop
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock.

When the leaves change, the fall colors come.
Red, orange and yellow are the leaves.

Rock a bye baby, on a treetop
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock.

When the buds break, the spring blossoms come.
Pink, white and purple are the blooms.



Happy Spring!

Go, Dog, Go! Sleep, Dog, Sleep?

Everyone knows there are two types of people- the night owls and the early birds.

I come from a long line of night owls, and apparently B has inherited these genes as well. He gets plenty of sleep, don't get me wrong, 9-11 hours per night, 1-2 hour naps most days (especially on days following the 9 hour nights).

It's just that he's not at all interested in going to bed at a "reasonable hour" for someone his age. On average he is asleep around 8:30-9ish, but many times he has been up til 10:30, 11, 11:30...
This schedule has advantages and disadvantages, of course. Less alone time for DH and me on B's late nights, but we all get to "sleep in" a little on the mornings after.

For Christmas, B's Godfather gave him the Dr Seuss book, "Go, Dog, Go!" - one of my childhood favorites as well. I still clearly remembered reading about the "big dog party" at the end; it just fascinated me somehow as a child, imagining all these dogs on top of a tree. B absolutely loves it and we read it usually at least once per day.

There is a certain page in the book which talks about how "Night is not a time for play. Night is a time for sleep." This is great in and of itself-now B has taken to quoting that particular passage, so he is hopefully absorbing that message to some extent. The associated illustration depicts a long line of dogs all sleeping in a row in their big bed, except one lone dog whose eyes are wide open.

When I ask B who that wakeful dog is, he responds with his name. It cracks me up every time.

It is so true.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Shortly after B was born, my Mom brought us a toy that had survived my childhood so that he might enjoy it too. I polished it up, but ever since it has been sitting up high on a dresser in B's room.

As I've blogged about previously, we have had a bedtime routine for about a year now with B, and it usually involves reading at least 2 books. Lately one we've been reading fairly frequently is a book of nursery rhymes, including "Hickory Dickory Dock."

One evening during our bedtime routine as we read his nursery rhymes, I remembered the little toy my Mom had brought and took it down for B to look at. It is a Fisher Price "radio" that plays the tune of "Hickory Dickory Dock." And he loved it!

Because he is a boy, of course he loves all kinds of the same things my husband played with growing up. I was overjoyed that there was finally a toy from my childhood that he was interested in and wanted to play with.

This is the first thing I felt that he really liked of mine. I am so glad that it still works and that my Mom thought to bring it to us so that we can share it with him.

Mashed 'Tatoes!!

We made homemade mashed potatoes while my parents were here for the holidays.

Ever since then, every morning if I ask B what he dreamed about he says "Mashed 'tatoes!" And laughs. When I then ask if he wants to eat mashed potatoes, he quickly says "no."

So I don't get the joke or why he always claims to dream of them, but I love it. I think it's too cute!!

"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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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)! ;)

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!)