I admit that I have always judged sleep-training. Why on earth would you let your baby cry just so he/she can fit your schedule of when you think they should be sleeping. After all, parenting isn't a "sometimes" job. It is 24/7. And I have seriously questioned a mother's instincts who can sit and listen to her baby cry. It is unnatural and lazy.
Well...I've changed my tune. I have a six month old who won't nap unless he is being held, you are rocking him in the dark blaring white noise, and holding a pacifier in his mouth. It doesn't work. I guess if I had only him, I could do that. But this can't go on. He gets huge bags under his eyes, fusses in the evenings...I know he is tired and needs his sleep.
It dawned on me yesterday that I am doing him a disservice by not helping him learn how to get good daytime sleep. I was being a lazy parent by not buckling down and doing something about this. I Have been taking the easy way out by going in there and rocking him. It seemed like the natural thing for me to do, but it isn't getting either one of us anywhere. I have only 1 goal: teach Jack how to get good, meaningful daytime sleep. That is all. I don't care when or where he does it. I don't care if all 3 nap at the same time and give me a "break." I just need him to learn how to sleep.
So yesterday I started. With his naps, I rock him to sleep (I know Fer.ber says drowsy but awake. Doesn't work for Jack). When he wakes up crying (less than 5 minutes in), I let him cry for a few minutes, see if he will settle himself. He never does. Go in, pat his back, settle him back in, leave. With his next waking (normally 10 minutes or so later), let him cry again, a little bit longer than the first time. Go in, pat his back, settle him back in. This went on for 2 hours yesterday.
And right now, I'm in the middle of doing it again. I don't pick him up when I go in, just pat his back. It normally takes just a few minutes of me patting him for him to settle back in and fall asleep. But he isn't getting MEANINGFUL sleep. 10 minutes at a time with spurts of crying over the course of 2 hours is not meaningful sleep. It isn't helping him.
I can't understand why he just won't stay asleep like my other children will. He is comfy, fed, dry, clean, in a soft and cozy place, dark, white noise, cool but not cold...I just don't get it.
Am I doing the right thing? Will going in and patting him make things worse/better?
Anyone is welcome to chime in. I need help.
And another one, of awesome mexican food and margaritas.
My little princess. She loves her crown! She calls it her, "pincess."
Gorgeous boy! I die for him!
And him!
We are leaving tomorrow morning. Pray for safe travels and that the kids have a good time with their grandparents.
Silly girl!
Paige becomes more amazing every day. David and I are crazy about her.
We came home, naps for all (boys napped for 2.5 hours! Wahooo!!!!), then some backyard fun. Well, fun for most. Paige has decided she hates bugs. "Yucky bug! Yucky bug!" She freaks out at every fly or ant that crosses her path. And she and I both freak out if we see a wasp.
6 months is such a fun baby age to me. They are so happy. Everyone who meets Jack tells us that he is the happiest baby they have ever seen. You literally just need to glance in that boy's direction and he is giddy. He laughs at everything! Smiles constantly. He is such a joy. I am crazy in love with him.
Braley is pretty serious. He likes to be in his jumper. I get some squeals out of him when he is in there. But other than that, he likes to lay there and such on his thumb or feet. He is a momma's boy and I love it!
I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a mini girls trip in Dallas. A few girlfriends and I are hitting the road bright and early for some shopping, laying by the pool, cocktails, and eating! I am so excited I can't hardly stand it! I'm thinking David is going to have a deep appreciation for me when I get home : )
We are so blessed with healthy children. Both boys are hitting their milestones and them some. She used the word "perfect" with me several times. Music to a momma's ears!
Their legs seemed a little sore from the shots and they were fussy on and off yesterday afternoon/evening. Of course, they could have been feeling my tension from the tornados. I'll tell you, having small kids at home makes those sirens blaring a hell of a lot scarier than they used to be. But we were safe, thank God. I have 2 friends at CHK who lost everything. I mean - house totally leveled. Pray for all those who lost their loved ones and homes. There was a 15 month old who perished in the storms, and a 3 year old is still missing. I can barely type that without feeling sick. Can you imagine?
Proud of himself!
I can even look to my right
And to my left
And stick my tongue out!
Oh wait - what was that over there?
Jack made sure I didn't forget about him!
Mr. Jack standing up on the ottoman. 
And sweet boys who are all about their hands these days.
And no, I haven't forgotten about Paige. She just doesn't like to sit still long enough for me to take her picture! Many a funny scene of me chasing Paige around the backyard trying to get her to look at the camera. As it is though, this is what I have.
She had her last day of school today. Summer school starts in 2 weeks. This is going to be a looooong 2 weeks!
David and I were married in June of 2006. I am a stay-at-home mom after a long struggle with Infertility. We have been lucky on our first and second cycles of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)! We have a daughter, Paige Madeline, born April 23, 2009. Our twin boys, Jack David and Braley James, came on November 16, 2010.
