Go to Sleep, Close Your Eyes...

Sleep is such a wonderful thing, especially when it's a full night of it! A couple weeks ago while Brandon was on a mission, I decided to help our 3 month old learn to sleep through the night.  Truth-be-told, I was dreading it.  All the books I had read said to expect at least 3 nights to 2 weeks of crying?!  But, after doing the zombie shuffle at 1:40 and 4:00 am that morning; I had decided that our 15 pound baby was ready and able to sleep through the night (plus mom was dead on her feet).


So, armed with techniques from my sis-in-law and the books, I was ready.  I opted to teach him my way, a combo of a couple different ideas and a little of my own thrown in for good measure.  Instead of starting with night sleep as his first intro into the "Cry It Out" (CIO) method, I decided to use his first nap of the day.  I follow the Baby Whisperer's Method of E.A.S.Y. (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You), so before each nap little fella had about an hour of activity before hand.

For naps and night sleep I used to rock our little guy to sleep and place him in his crib.  With the (as Brandon calls it) Michelle Method; I still rock him but not to sleep.  I rock him for a set amount of time (depending on the day) or until his eyes get heavy--which ever comes first, then I lay him in his bed, with a kiss and "mommy loves you".  If he wakes before his next feeding I let him cry until he goes back to sleep, this is supposed to teach him to self-soothe (which he does by cooing or sucking on his hands).

Letting my baby CIO was heartbreaking.  I would do anything and everything to keep myself busy so I wouldn't go "save" him.  I did try verbally soothing him, but found it made him madder and cry longer.  When it was time for his next feeding (I kept the times flexible so he could get some good sleep if he had cried) I turned off his music (for naps), opened his curtain and let him wake himself.  I also made sure I was there before any cries escaped.  This is the rocking "schedule" I followed.
 
DAY 1: Rock for 20 minutes or until eyes are heavy

DAY 2: Rock for 15 minutes or until eyes are heavy

DAY 3: Rock for 10 minutes or until eyes are heavy

DAY 4: Rock for 5 minutes

DAY 5: Rock for 3 minutes

DAY 6: Rock for 2 minutes

DAY 7: Rock for 1 minute


On the first day, after rocking our little man for 20 minutes his eyes were heavy and I put him down for his first nap of the day.  He was still awake when I put him down and he fell asleep without a peep.  Half an hour later he woke himself early and cried for 20 minutes until he fell back asleep.  I did this for each nap of the day.  His night sleep was the same, I rocked him for 20 minutes and put him down awake but drowsy.  He fell asleep really well.  Then he woke at 3:40 am and cried.  I stood by my video monitor the whole time and I'm not ashamed to say I had a few tears of my own.  He fell back asleep at 4:12 am and slept until 7:40!


The following days only got better and easier.  The second night and the following nights baby boy slept until morning!  Brandon was amazed when he got home and said it was like coming home to a completely different, happier baby.  There are still some days where he wakes early from naps or during the night but after a couple minutes he's back to dreamland.  I'm sure there will be nights when our fella will revert back to waking every few hours, but we're going to enjoy him sleeping for 10.5 hours while we can!  Ahhh, sleep...welcome back old friend!

3rd Month In Review...

**Because I don't have the time I used to, to blog weekly(ish), I've decided to borrow an idea from a friend of mine and blog monthly about little man's progress.**

Our little dude is 3 months old on the 18th! Here's a recap of his last month...

Weight: around 17 lbs.
Length: around 24.5 inches (we'll know for sure at his next well-baby check next month)

Nap Time: Our little guy takes anywhere from 3-4 naps a day. They typically range from 25-45 minutes but here lately (to mom's delight) have become 45 minutes-1.5 hours!



Bed Time: He had a few nights where he slept for a whopping 7.5 hours, but his typical night is 5.5 hours a feeding then back to bed for another 3-4 hours. He also had a couple nights two weeks ago and currently where he wakes every 2 hours because he's going through a growth spurt. C goes to bed around 9:00-9:30 after his last feeding.

Food: None yet.

Nursing: Baby boy nurses 7-8 times a day, every 2.75-3 hours. He's become a better nurser and only takes 20-30 minutes to fill up. He still doesn't want anything to do with a bottle but we'll keep trying.



Skills: Has discovered his hands and loves to look at them and suck on them. He is also doing an awesome job with tummy time! He can prop himself up on his arms and look up 90 degrees! He has taken to putting everything in his mouth...a way to investigate toys and anything he can get his little mits on. A few weeks ago he showed us a new trick, rolling over. He did it once unassisted (probably to show us he can) but has since used the help from mom and dad.



Language: Little man has also become quite the chatter box and will carry on full "sentences" with mommy, daddy and his toys (especially peacock).

Fun Facts: C is in size 2 diapers and wears 3-6 and 6 month clothing. He smiles when Brandon or I talk to him and can track us as we move about the room. At the beginning of the month daddy got him to giggle and he has done it more and more as the month has progressed Mom is still scared to trim his nails so they get filed every week! Little man loves to be in the baby Bjorn and loves all the compliments and smiles from people who pass by. His reflux seems to be getting better...when he burps either no spit-up follows or very little (though if you had asked me last week I would have had the opposite to tell you); he is still taking his medicine. He still loves to be swaddled and especially when mommy calls him a "baby burrrrito". C has also taken to splish splashing in the tub and enjoys getting mommy and daddy all wet (sometimes they way little boys can)!








(thanks for the idea Stephanie!)

This past Mother's Day was my first and I got to spend it with both my guys! C and Brandon got me a bouquet of tulips and a Sweetgrass basket (something I've been wanting for years) and took me to a Mother's Day brunch. It was a great day!

Well, that's all for now...we'll post new updates when we can...love to all.