... a full night's sleep, that is. Jack slept pretty well from about 2 months til about 8 months and then, not so much. He'd have a battery of complaints (at least I think he'd complain if he could talk) including reflux, teething, illness, illness, illness - we've been sick a lot this season. It seemed that if one thing wasn't waking him up in the night it was another and the easiest way for me to get him back to sleep quickly was to trudge into his room and nurse him. Now mind you, Jack is a power nurser so he never nursed for more than five or ten minutes before he fell back asleep. Then I could just put him back in his crib and return to my nice cozy bed. The catch... I was up usually two, sometimes three, and sometimes FOUR times a night! I'd been without an uninterrupted nights sleep for months and it was starting to wear on me. Don't even get me started on naps - Jack was still napping in his swing mostly (I know, I know... terrible habit). So, this past Thursday, I decided to do something about the situation.
I started the Sleep Sense program. It's a way of sleep training your baby and it's completely logical - which is probably why I didn't do this sooner! The main premise is to get rid of all "sleep props". Well, I figured I'd already done that when I got rid of Jack's paci several months ago but, apparrently,
I became Jack's sleep prop... a human pacifier if you will. He didn't know how to get to sleep without me when he would wake briefly in the middle of the night. I also moved Jack's bedtime up from 8:00 to between 7:00 and 7:30. What a difference that makes as well!
We started on Thursday night - it was no picnic. He woke up several times crying for me. I'd go in and tell him it was "night-night time" and pat him on the back or stroke his hair til he calmed down. Then, I'd leave the room. Which, of course, started another crying jag but it had to be done. Friday night was better; I only had to go into Jack's room once to calm him down and then he slept til 8 am! Saturday night Jack went to bed at 7:30, woke briefly at 3:45 but didn't need me to calm down, and then slept til 7 am! That brings me to last night... Jack went to bed at 7:30 and slept
all the way through til 6 am! Soooo exciting. I feel like a new woman! I forgot how good it feels to get that much uninterrupted sleep. It's dreamy! (pun very much intended)
So cool with his collar "popped"!
Concentration definitely requires your tongue being visible... just ask Michael Jordan!
Riley, give me your drink. I NEED your drink!
It's like alphabet soup, only in the tub and not so tasty.
There's that "million-dollar smile" Yaya's always talking about.
Perfecting his star-throwing technique. I think he'll be a ninja.
Daddy arrived home last night just in time to read Little Man a story. He was pretty interested in something in the area of the changing table. Oh well... at least Daddy enjoyed Jack and the Beanstalk.
Normally, as a woman, I wouldn't think of divulging my pants size to anyone but I'm definitely making an exception for this... Just after I gave birth to Jack I was size 16 (eeesh!). I joined Weight Watchers in mid-October and have been on the way to my goal weight since then. I've still got a ways to go but I'm excited to say that I bought some new clothes today. Check out the size!!!!! (Can you tell I'm excited?)
Some dear friends of ours welcomed their first child, Brody Nelson Vaughn, last Thursday. Michelle was a trooper with a difficult labor and delivery and gave birth naturally (though not by choice) to 10 lb, 1 oz Brody! Way to go Michelle! Congratulations to Michelle and Justin on your precious baby boy. This parenthood thing is a trip!
Since Jack's come along I have to admit I've neglected our other "baby". Lil' Gabby has always been so sweet and Jack gets such a kick out of her. You should hear him giggle when she kisses his little hands. Gabs was so cute sitting in the sun this morning I just had to snap some shots.
Another month has flown by and Jack still amazes me every day. He's crawling like a pro nowadays. I've got to be very careful where I set him down and for how long - he'll be into something or right on my heels if I don't come back fast enough. Little Man's also cruising around everything - the couch, coffee table, fireplace hearth, his swing. He loves to just stand up at the coffee table and enjoy his perspective on things. He'll be walking before we know it! He's really into eating "table food" now. He enjoys picking up and eating peas and carrots along with little bits of meat. Jason's so proud, he had is first bit of beef the other day. He's a true Texan now! Jack also clapped his hands for the first time on Sunday. We were so excited and he just looked at us as if to say "What's the big deal?" Too cute. He says "Mama" more and says"Dada" lots and lots. I can't wait to hear what other words he's got in store for us. It's such a blessing to watch him grow and thrive.
Checking that cute kid out in the mirror...
He's got a fever but he's still smiling!
