Things are really coming together here. I just put Jack down for a nap on his belly, and he went for it. It almost feels normal around here, instead of the scattered crazy skin-of-my-teeth life we've been living.
Jack takes two naps a day - one around 9:30 and one around 1:30. He's been doing it swaddled until today when he finally went along with a belly nap. Now that he can turn over, he's able to get out of the miracle blanket swaddle, so I'm trying to wean him off of it instead of re-doing it three times a night.
He goes to bed around 7:30. The last three nights, I haven't had to feed him until 1 am. Next feed at 4:30, and up around 7:30. Last night I had to plug the paci in around 10, but I'll work to get him off of that in a few days. After I get him sleeping straight until 1, I'll work on taking out that 4:30 feed. Lastly, the 1 a.m. wakeup. Sounds easy, right?
Actually, he's sleep-training very easily. He usually doesn't cry more than the first 5-minute cry, then I go in and plug the paci in and he's usually done. I'm being good about putting him in the crib sleepy but not sleeping, and he's doing just fine getting himself to sleep. On the few occasions I've really just let him cry, he's usually asleep after 10 minutes or so. I think we're really on the right track.
Of course Nate looks to be starting to get ready to think about giving his nap up, so I've taken to calling it "quiet time" and letting him bring some books to bed. I think he'll still fall asleep most days, but if he doesn't at least I can console myself with the fact that he's in his room and out of my hair.
Now, on to baby #3!
[cue hysterical laughter]
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Milestone Moment!
Two days ago Jack almost rolled over - he got so so close. I took so much video that I actually filled my up card for the first time ever. Made sure to clear it at night for a fresh start the next day.
Yesterday I put him down on the carpet for a minute and he started trying again, so I sprang up to get my camera. I literally took three steps, grabbed the camera, and turned around to see him on his tummy, looking around a bit startled. Little monster.
Anyway, here's a cute picture, for picture's sake. Little man is very pleased with himself.
Yesterday I put him down on the carpet for a minute and he started trying again, so I sprang up to get my camera. I literally took three steps, grabbed the camera, and turned around to see him on his tummy, looking around a bit startled. Little monster.
Anyway, here's a cute picture, for picture's sake. Little man is very pleased with himself.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Jack's Monthly Newsletter, Month Five
Dear Jack,
Hello, happy baby. You're five months old now, and this is the first time I've put up a newsletter late. We were all together in Boston visiting our cousins for Passover, and I forgot to write this ahead of time. I'm sorry, sweetie.
You are still a bit of a blob, but you're the happiest blob around. Everyone who makes eye contact with you gets a huge squinchy smile, and I can't tell you how many people have cooed over your cuteness and sweetness. I agree completely. You are such a happy, good boy and we all adore you. You seem to thrive on our smiles and when you grin back you seem so grateful for our attention. You love to be carried around, and you're content for hours if you're in our arms or in the Baby Bjorn.
You had your first bite of food on April 18th - a few shmears of avocado when we were all out to sushi. The first few went down without much response; you got a queer face eventually. Can't really blame you; it's a strange flavor. I'll start giving you baby food for real in a few days.
You are so incredibly close to turning over. I sat on the carpet with you for a half-hour, taking video clip after clip hoping to get your first roll on video. You were a little monster, though, and kept teasing me.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
I started sleep-training you last night. I had planned to wait until you could suck your thumb and comfort yourself back to sleep, but I just can't take it anymore. We're starting small - I've committed to not feeding you from bedtime (7:30) until midnight. If you wake up, and you have, I'll let you cry for five minutes, go in and comfort you for a minute or two, then leave for another five minutes and keep this up until you're asleep. Last night it only took two comforts for you to be back asleep until 1 am. Of course you still tortured me with a 2:30 wakeup, a 4:30 wakeup, a 5:30 wakeup (which Daddy handled), and up for the morning at 6:30. I'll give you a week of the new routine, and then we'll start cutting out that 2:30 wakeup and go from there. Please cooperate, boozle - it'll go easier on both of us.
You are in absolute discomfort with two bottom teeth coming through at the same time. I can see your little gums opening up to let the teeth through, but nothing's poked out yet. You're constantly drooling, and I've taken to putting a cloth bib over any outfits I want to keep dry. You desperately chew and suck on anything you can haul into your mouth; your favorite object to torture is our thumbs. You're easy, though, you'll take just about anything. Please, little teeth, please come through. You're killing Jack and Jack's just about killing me.
Your brother is still your favorite person alive. He squishes you and rolls you and lays on top of you and you just grin at him the whole time. You are so incredibly lucky that Nate is your brother. I have a picture in my mind of the two of you out at a basketball game when you're older, having a beer and watching the game together. I see you talking, and not talking, and just being comfortable and familiar together. I pray that whatever influence I have on your relationship, I do the right things to help you love and respect each other. You're off to a pretty good start.
I love you,
Mama
Hello, happy baby. You're five months old now, and this is the first time I've put up a newsletter late. We were all together in Boston visiting our cousins for Passover, and I forgot to write this ahead of time. I'm sorry, sweetie.
You are still a bit of a blob, but you're the happiest blob around. Everyone who makes eye contact with you gets a huge squinchy smile, and I can't tell you how many people have cooed over your cuteness and sweetness. I agree completely. You are such a happy, good boy and we all adore you. You seem to thrive on our smiles and when you grin back you seem so grateful for our attention. You love to be carried around, and you're content for hours if you're in our arms or in the Baby Bjorn.
You had your first bite of food on April 18th - a few shmears of avocado when we were all out to sushi. The first few went down without much response; you got a queer face eventually. Can't really blame you; it's a strange flavor. I'll start giving you baby food for real in a few days.
You are so incredibly close to turning over. I sat on the carpet with you for a half-hour, taking video clip after clip hoping to get your first roll on video. You were a little monster, though, and kept teasing me.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
I started sleep-training you last night. I had planned to wait until you could suck your thumb and comfort yourself back to sleep, but I just can't take it anymore. We're starting small - I've committed to not feeding you from bedtime (7:30) until midnight. If you wake up, and you have, I'll let you cry for five minutes, go in and comfort you for a minute or two, then leave for another five minutes and keep this up until you're asleep. Last night it only took two comforts for you to be back asleep until 1 am. Of course you still tortured me with a 2:30 wakeup, a 4:30 wakeup, a 5:30 wakeup (which Daddy handled), and up for the morning at 6:30. I'll give you a week of the new routine, and then we'll start cutting out that 2:30 wakeup and go from there. Please cooperate, boozle - it'll go easier on both of us.
You are in absolute discomfort with two bottom teeth coming through at the same time. I can see your little gums opening up to let the teeth through, but nothing's poked out yet. You're constantly drooling, and I've taken to putting a cloth bib over any outfits I want to keep dry. You desperately chew and suck on anything you can haul into your mouth; your favorite object to torture is our thumbs. You're easy, though, you'll take just about anything. Please, little teeth, please come through. You're killing Jack and Jack's just about killing me.
Your brother is still your favorite person alive. He squishes you and rolls you and lays on top of you and you just grin at him the whole time. You are so incredibly lucky that Nate is your brother. I have a picture in my mind of the two of you out at a basketball game when you're older, having a beer and watching the game together. I see you talking, and not talking, and just being comfortable and familiar together. I pray that whatever influence I have on your relationship, I do the right things to help you love and respect each other. You're off to a pretty good start.
I love you,
Mama
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The power of naps
Stewart figured out that Jack likes to sleep in the Boppy, like he did when he was an infant. All of a sudden, he naps. Over an hour. Sometimes close to two hours. I can't tell you how much saner my life has become.
Today while he took a morning nap, I:
Started a load of laundry
Moved it to the dryer
Started a second load of laundry
Emptied the dishwasher
Made dinner for tonight
Filled a bottle for tonight, got a sippy cup ready for Nate
Chopped up melons and strawberries for snacks this week
Filled the dishwasher
Boiled, cooled, and peeled a batch of hard-boiled eggs
Talked to my sister and my Dad
Organized Jack's new bottles
Took out the recycling
Wiped down the stove
Straightened up the living room / dining room
Paid bills
Did some planning for our weekend away
Wrote this blog entry.
And he's still asleep. Bless you, Jack.
Today while he took a morning nap, I:
Started a load of laundry
Moved it to the dryer
Started a second load of laundry
Emptied the dishwasher
Made dinner for tonight
Filled a bottle for tonight, got a sippy cup ready for Nate
Chopped up melons and strawberries for snacks this week
Filled the dishwasher
Boiled, cooled, and peeled a batch of hard-boiled eggs
Talked to my sister and my Dad
Organized Jack's new bottles
Took out the recycling
Wiped down the stove
Straightened up the living room / dining room
Paid bills
Did some planning for our weekend away
Wrote this blog entry.
And he's still asleep. Bless you, Jack.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Spoiled much?
At the grocery store today they were giving away posters of the first pitch thrown out at our new Nationals Stadium. It was a beautiful shot of the whole field, and I got one to bring home to Nate.
Got home, and told him that I'd brought him something. He came down the stairs saying "ooh, present!" He came to my side and together we unrolled the poster. I told him what it was while he looked it over. Then he turned to me and said "Where my present?"
I told him the poster was his present, and he got a totally miffed expression on his face. "Dat not a present! Dat not a present!" It was hard not to laugh. I laughed. He threw the poster down, and stepped on it a bit. I again failed to stop laughing. So did Stewart.
Through giggles, I told him that we say "thank you!" even if we don't like the present. He did not say "thank you."
Kinda can't blame him.
Got home, and told him that I'd brought him something. He came down the stairs saying "ooh, present!" He came to my side and together we unrolled the poster. I told him what it was while he looked it over. Then he turned to me and said "Where my present?"
I told him the poster was his present, and he got a totally miffed expression on his face. "Dat not a present! Dat not a present!" It was hard not to laugh. I laughed. He threw the poster down, and stepped on it a bit. I again failed to stop laughing. So did Stewart.
Through giggles, I told him that we say "thank you!" even if we don't like the present. He did not say "thank you."
Kinda can't blame him.
The time has come
Last night, I started letting Jack CIO (cry it out).
I had intended to wait until he could suck his own thumb to comfort himself, but it was clear that something had to change before I dropped him off at Child Protective Services and asked them to find him a less tired Mommy (a thought that really did go through my head as I nursed him back to sleep again mere hours after nursing him back to sleep again mere hours after nursing him back to sleep, again, a few days ago).
He took his bedtime bottle at 7:30 and went peaceably to sleep. I went downstairs, got Nate ready for bed, cleaned up the dinner dishes, started cleaning up the toys, and heard Jack cry. It was 8:15. Instead of feeling wildly out of control and crazy, like I normally do when he wakes for no reason, something inside me settled down and I knew I could handle it.
My plan was to let him cry for 5 minutes, then go back in for some TLC, then another 5 minutes of crying, and repeat until he passed out. I went into his room to make sure he was okay, no fever, no surprises, and gave him some calming pats while leaving him in the crib. I said "night night" and walked out the door. He resumed crying; I sat down at the computer and noted the time. Two minutes later, all was silent. Really silent. I gave it another 5 minutes, then went in to check - he was asleep. I didn't hear from him again until 1 a.m.
I'm not silly to think that it'll all be this smooth, but it certainly does give a girl hope.
I had intended to wait until he could suck his own thumb to comfort himself, but it was clear that something had to change before I dropped him off at Child Protective Services and asked them to find him a less tired Mommy (a thought that really did go through my head as I nursed him back to sleep again mere hours after nursing him back to sleep again mere hours after nursing him back to sleep, again, a few days ago).
He took his bedtime bottle at 7:30 and went peaceably to sleep. I went downstairs, got Nate ready for bed, cleaned up the dinner dishes, started cleaning up the toys, and heard Jack cry. It was 8:15. Instead of feeling wildly out of control and crazy, like I normally do when he wakes for no reason, something inside me settled down and I knew I could handle it.
My plan was to let him cry for 5 minutes, then go back in for some TLC, then another 5 minutes of crying, and repeat until he passed out. I went into his room to make sure he was okay, no fever, no surprises, and gave him some calming pats while leaving him in the crib. I said "night night" and walked out the door. He resumed crying; I sat down at the computer and noted the time. Two minutes later, all was silent. Really silent. I gave it another 5 minutes, then went in to check - he was asleep. I didn't hear from him again until 1 a.m.
I'm not silly to think that it'll all be this smooth, but it certainly does give a girl hope.
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