A Repost from February, 2009

Interestingly enough, I wrote this when Lexi was 9 months old, and we are at exactly the same junction with Ben at this age.  If the pattern holds true, it looks like I might be getting some sleep in another 2 months or so... Lord help me!

A Baby's Perspective on Sleep Training...

OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 9 months. The first few months were great--I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened.

Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night).

At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 6 months.

Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.

It goes like this:
Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mommy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own good.

Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed.

Night 3--every hour.

Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!!

If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change.

If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it. Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it.

BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with.
My sleep sack tickled my foot.
I felt a wrinkle under the sheet.
My mobile made a shadow on the wall.
I burped, and it tasted like pears (I hadn't eaten pears since lunch - what's up with that?)
A dog said "woof" outside (I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL.)
Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room.
Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!!
It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am.
You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies' internal clocks.

P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, NO milk will come out! Trust me.

So THAT'S what he wears under his costume!

Nice panties Finn! You match with Lexi!

2011

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Years. We had a quiet night in with our friends Kim, Sean and Abby which included good food, some Guitar Hero and Super Mario on the Wii, and just making it til midnight before we all wanted to crash.

I normally don't make major New Year's Resolutions, and especially don't make ones to lose weight because a) I usually abandon them by the end of January, and b) I don't feel you need to wait until January 1st to make positive changes in your life. I did make one good resolution years ago to floss my teeth more, and I'm happy (as our my teeth) to say I have stuck with that one. In the spirit of positive change, I am keeping a couple of things in mind this year:

1) Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, buying as local and organic as possible.

2) Limit the use of products with parabens in them. While there has been no major hard and fast evidence that they are toxic to humans, the links between them and cancer, especially breast cancer, are too serious to ignore. And like bisphenol A from a couple years ago, I would not be surprised if it is declared toxic in Canada in the next few years. Since breast cancer (as well as colon) runs in my family, I'll do whatever I can to reduce my risk. While on the topic, I want to give a shout out to my Aunt Liz, who is now 10 years cancer free in remission from breast cancer! Hooray!

I have already started using some paraben free cosmetics, such as BareMinerals mineral make-up and Ole Henriksen face moisturizer. I am excited begin using the LiveClean Baby Products for both Lexi and the new addition to our family.

I'll try to get a free pictures and videos from Christmas up in the next few days. Now that I'm in my 12th week, dare I say that I'm starting to feel a bit better and get a bit of energy back. Today I'm going to tackle a fridge clean out and try to clean out my closet (as well as Lexi's) in anticipation for a clothing swap I'm going to attend in a couple of weeks.

For now, enjoy this picture of Lexi in her new paintable rain boots (and all her glory too of course). Feel free to comment - any changes you plan on making in 2011?

Look what Santa Left Under my Tree Today...

I swear I did not put her into the basket. Best gift ever!

Fabulous or Fug-tastic?

I've always loved reading the quick-witted fashion review site called Go Fug Yourself. While folding laundry today, Lexi decided to try on an advant guard outfit of her own. So what do you think: fabulous, or fug-tastic?

Dork-tastic!

Up

I recently saw the movie "Up" (and Lexi caught the last 2o minutes or so), and I highly recommend it to anyone of any age as it's a wonderful story. I'm wondering though if Lexi got the wrong idea about the balloons in the story, as this is how I found her recently during her afternoon nap a couple of days after her birthday party...

Squirrel Proof my ASS...

A Baby's Perspective on Sleep Training...

OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 9 months. The first few months were great--I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened.

Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night).

At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 6 months.

Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.

It goes like this:
Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mommy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own good.

Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed.

Night 3--every hour.

Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!!

If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change.

If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it. Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it.

BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with.
My sleep sack tickled my foot.
I felt a wrinkle under the sheet.
My mobile made a shadow on the wall.
I burped, and it tasted like pears (I hadn't eaten pears since lunch - what's up with that?)
A dog said "woof" outside (I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL.)
Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room.
Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!!
It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am.
You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies' internal clocks.

P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, NO milk will come out! Trust me.