Traveling Solider

Well I must be doing something wrong. This crying it out seems to work well for everything execept the afternoon nap. It works so well in the morning, he doesn't cry at all. It also works well at night, no crying. But in the afternoon he seems to fight it. Maybe I am putting him to bed at the wrong time, either too early or too late. Just went up after the 5 minutes turned him on his tummy and he went to sleep. If only he could do the tummy thing himself.

Yesterday was my parents 24 wedding anniversary. They were over for dinner and apple pie. It was good to see them again. They gave me lots of ideas for blog titles, as they are big country music fans. Country songs do have funny titles. I'll be sure to use some of them in the weeks to come. We were discussing "did they think 24 years after they were married did they think they'd be sitting at their daughters house helping to take care of their first grandchild". They said no, they didn't really think ahead like that. I certainly do, maybe in 24 years I'll be sitting in Lucas's house. That would be fun.....

Well I am a bahumbug, but I'm so glad Christmas is over. Things just get a little crazy over the holidays... plus now I can look forward to our trip to Las Vegas.

Regis and Kelly are having a contest for the month of Febuary that they will send you anywhere in the world. I don't know where I would go... maybe Africa. The next big place on my list is China. So probably one of those two. Something for everyone to think about today. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be??

Lucas has been a really good baby this week. Even though I'm crazy about his sleep, I am so happy with the way he behaves. Generally he a pretty happy go lucky baby.

In some ways I have totally changed since having Lucas, and in other ways I haven't changed at all. SAIT has asked me to help out in the winter semester. I am still a pleaser when it comes to work. I like to help to make things go smoothly there, although I wonder what it will be like when I'm actually there......

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Thankful

Well I am so grateful for the wonderful life I have. (although LIttle L is upstairs crying now trying to put himslef to sleep) But other then that we have had a great day. It is so beautiful outside here. The sun is shining, it's 10 degrees. We took this great long walk together. Emma was just thrilled and she loved playing frisbee in the park. A bunch of little kids were there which always makes me a little nervous that someone is going to ask us to leave. But no one did, all they wanted to do is throw the frisbee. So Emma enjoyed it and Lucas got to go on the swing.

Once we got home he jumped in his Jolly Jumper for half and hour. He was all smiles. It was great. I was crazy about being a mom. Grateful for being able to stay home with my boy. Grateful that I live in Canada, a country that values that, not the States where mothers can only stay home for 6 weeks.

Plus I am thankful I live in Calgary, there are so many new moms here. I am currently planning get togethers with the people from my pre natal class and the people from my baby class I took after the baby is born. It's good that there is lots of oppurtunity to network.

So the crying to sleep went well last night. Only really 5 mintues of crying then he slept for 5 hours and then 7 hours. This morning I also went well with almost no crying. Right now it's not going so great. Give into the sleep..... please just give into it. 3 more minutes then I can go up and see him...

2 more minutes.... I have to think of more to say cause the crying is starting to drive me nuts. Maybe I didn't read him right. Maybe he wasn't tried. But it has been two hours. Oh we are getting some pauses..... still 1 more minute. I'm sure part of it is that he is on his back he has trouble sleeping on his back, much prefers his tummy.

K, now what he's kind of stopped but my 10 minutes are up... do I go in and make sure he settled or just leave him. Thinking I'll give it till he cries again.

Also last night he ate a whole bowl of cereal. I think Darryl was surprised. He is getting better at it..

Well sorry for the excessivly long post, but thanks blog for helping me get through the crying.

Jenn

I Did It My Way

Well it's been a very interesting last 24 hours with Lucas. The last couple nights he has been getting up every 2 hours, he is not necessairly hungry, cause when he sees my face he just gives me a big smile. Generally he would have a little snack but once tha was done he'd fall back asleep and be up in two hours again. Well I was feeling quite sleep deprived, so last night Darryl and I decided to use the Ferber method to let him cry it out. We would go in and be sure he was okay, dry and wasn't hurt. Say some reassuring things to him and then leave and let him cry for 5 minutes. Once 5 minutes was up we would go back in make sure he was okay and leave and let him cry for 10. Well it was so heart wrenching. Just to let him cry. At the same time sometimes he cries when in my arms as well. Anyway in the 10 minute block he stopped crying. Then he slept for 6 hours. It was so nice to get a good chunk of sleep. After that he woke I feed him and he went back down for another 3 hours. But after I feed him I just put him in his crib. No rocking or swaying. And for his naps today I have not been swaying with him either. Reading books, putting on his music and then putting him down.

I said I wasn't ready to let him cry it out, but I think things change quickly when you don't have enough sleep. Some people may think this way mean, and I certainly may have thought so a month ago, but until you are up all the time and are me, then I don't think you can judge.

So hopefully we are teaching him how to put himself back to sleep, without needing to eat or be rocked.

Anyway today I had a dream that I was back at work with Donna and Jenn. I love those ladies. I dreamt that we were all walking down to the store. I do miss their companionship.

Till Tommorrow.

Jenn

Everybody's Working For the Weekend

I am going to try to challenge myself to name all my posts after a song. We'll see how long I can do it for.....

Well last night it felt like Lucas was a newborn. He was up 3 times and awake for the day at 6:30ish. He's gone down well for both of his naps today, but I am tired. Plus I'm not sure what to do about this waking up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll have a couple of nights where he's just up once. During the day I feel as though I can deal with it, but at night I wish I could do something to get him to stay asleep, like he use to. It's like he doesn't want to miss out on anything. Last night he wasn't hungry everytime, just didn't know how or want to go back to sleep. Again I'm not ready to let him cry it out, I just think he's too young and still establishing trust in us. Although I may be crazy.

We had a great breakfast. Invited Tammy and Pat over and had a typical Parisian breakfast. It was delicious! Although I spilt the fruit salad all over the floor!! So I had to make more. If only Emma liked fruit. Instead Darryl had to mop it up. But the crossiants and cheese were good, I didn't spill those on the floor.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Today lesson for the day is when someone is overtired they are hard to deal with. Lucas was very stubborn in falling asleep last night, woke up twice in the night and was up at 7am (well 6:30, but I didn't get him till 7) He had a short nap this morning, although napped on the way home from groceries, and is now upstairs laying on his back looking at the ceiling. I'm hoping he will fall asleep, but I'm going with doubtful. I'm sure half way through this post I will be going upstairs to try to put him on his tummy.

Yesterday on the other hand was great. He woke at 7:30,took good naps and was an all around happy baby. I guess you win some and you lose some.

I went to this new store in Copperfield today Huckleberry Kids. It's a used kids store. I got some great books there. Especially after my bad experince at the used book store downtown. It's great becuase some of them are "touchy, feely". I also got a pair of Robeez for his next shoe size with little dogs on it.

Also got some treats at the grocery store. La vache qui rit cheese along with warm crosisants for breakfast tommorrow, a real french breaky. Also they had strawberries, which smelt and taste delicious.

Anyway an update on L, he is sleeping but only after a major crying fit and then a feeding to get him calmed down. Parenting is such a hard job. A salute to all parents.

Till tommorrow.

Jenn

Morning Sleep

Well just when you think you have things figured out with your children they change. Will this keep happening? Or do things iron out after the first year or so? Lucas is getting so good at his morning nap. He goes down good and has been sleeping for about an hour and a half. On the other hand his nightime sleep had gone up the creek. He's been up twice a night for the last couple of nights, eating every 4 hours like he does in the daytime. I know he can go longer, I'm just not ready to let him cry it out yet. Maybe I'll try using the soother more, maybe I'll start on the weekend.

Went to a used bookstore today, it was a waste of my time. I did not get a thing, nor even see anything that tempted me. Guess I will have to buy Lucas more books at Chapters. He seems to like the ones we own better then the library ones because he hears them mmore often and likes the repition.

Today I am wearing size 8 jeans! It's been years since I've fit into size 8! I do love you Lucas, you can keep sucking that fat out of me. Lexie convinced me to buy them at the Gap last night since they were only 20 dollars. Lexie is gone again, it's weird that the next time I see her we'll be headed off to Vegas.

Anyhoo, I think someone is getting bored with their jolly jumper.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Blog Mania!

So my fun sister is here and we went shopping this after noon (but don't worry I only spent 10.61) which means that my normal posting time was spent shopping instead. Lucas is now laying on the floor looking at his Christmas present from Lori.

A couple of things I've noticed about him in the last couple days. First he is getting so much better at sitting up. He still needs support but can do it quite well. Also h e has been chatting lots lately. Right now he yeaking away to his toys.

Sleeping has not gone well in the last 24 hours. So he is a bit cranky.

Watchewd the 40 year old virgin yesterday. It was pretty funny. Darryl was laughing at it so hard he was crying in parts. For those of you who don't know me I can be a bit of a prude, so the sexual type of humor is not my number one favorite, but I'd rather laugh then cry anyday!

Sorry about all the spelling errors, i'm typing with one hand and holding a baby with the other.

A friend of mine has started a blog as well, it's spreading through Darryls work. She is 23 weeks pregnant, so if you are interested in readung it the url is http://krisbabyadventures.blogspot.com/

till tommorrow

Jenn

Music

I love music. itunes has become quite addictive for me. It's like everytime I go there they put out so new thing I want to buy. It's like the creators are talking to me, creating music they will know I love. The latest is itunes orginals by Rob Thomas. I really like them and alot of there (his and Matchbox 20's) stuff. So thanks itunes for putting out music I love, you are making me poor.

Lucas is down early for his nap, and he slept for almost 2 hours this morning. Today is feeling like a sleep day. Maybe he's got a bit of my cold. I tried to keep him up for 2 hours, but he was cranky for the last half and hour and he went down easy. Maybe by some magical twist of fate he is starting to work out his daytime and nightime sleep. Yesterday he woke at 10, and Darryl went in and calmed him down. Then he didn't wake again till 1:30. Then slept till 7:30 this morning.

Lexie is coming to stay with me for a day or so. She is a really fun sister. I would say she is my most fun sister (although she's my only sibling). But I'm sure we will have a good time. Even though most of it is spent watching TV or shopping, it's still fun with her around.

Two of my good friends from highschool are getting married. I'm so happy for them. It's amazing how my life has taken a different path then most of the people I went to school with. It's interesting to be abnormal. I hope both of them have excellent weddings. My wedding day was the best! I loved it and love being married. I am lucky to have a great marriage.

Till tommorrow

Jenn

Shopping and Soap Operas

Well Lucas is down for his afternoon nap again. I'm trying to get him to fall asleep on his own. I think last night he woke up and then put himself back to sleep again, so I'm hoping we can get back to falling asleep with less intervention by Darryl and I. After his "Fix You" by Coldplay I put him in his crib, even though he was still very awake. I patted his back for a bit and once his eyes started to close I stopped to turn down the music. Then I didn't pat again, but stayed in the room incase he started to "make the bridge" with his body. =). Well he seems to be sleeping well now.

Went shopping again today. I do love shopping. Plus after Christmas there seems to be so many good deals. today I was at Pier One. It is a very nice store for your home and lots of the Christmas stuff was 75% off. I bought some more Christmas oranament, because we don't have very many. I also bought a bird feeder and a mug. Lucas was totally flirting with the sales ladies. It's good that he is such a good looking kid.

Gave him more cereal yesterday, made it a little thicker this time. It doesn't seem to be helping with the night waking, although now he's back to waking at about midnight, and then sleeping till 6:30 in the morning. In some ways I wish he would sleep till 7am, but I'm glad atleast it's back to once a night. We spent New Years with a bunch of our friends and one of the couple's has a 10 month old. She is up 3 times in the night. So I really have nothing to complain about.

Anyway I hope everyone is enjoying the new year. I'm off to watch Young and the Restless, that's one good thing about soap opera's there are always new ones. No repeats over the Christmas season.

Till Tommorrow
Jenn

A New Year & Lots of Raspberries

Well I don't really have any New Years Resolutions. It's not that I don't believe in them, becuase I often make them. But I don't have anything specific that I want to start to try or stop doing now. But I do have a list of things Darryl and I would like to get completed this year.

1. Get the basement organized. Darryl got a bunch of shelves from work, so I'd like to get some rubbermaid containers and get everything organzied.

2. Get the bed finshed. (that ones' Darryl's) Although I will have to go out and get some nice fabric for the headboard.

It will be nice to go on a couple of vacations this year. Las Vegas, Florida, Kelowna. Plus maybe plan an all inclusive vacation for a year from now.

It will also be amazing to see all the things Lucas will accomplish this year. Crawling, walking, talking, teeth! But that also means I will have to go back to work. Wow time is going by quickly. It will be nice to have something for me again. I love my boy, but it will be nice to have another thing to focus on.

New Years Eve was alot of fun last night. Went to our friends house, we danced had martini's, watched the hockey game and chatted. We did laugh alot. It was fun to be a goof again. My child was safe at home in his bed with his Gramma and Pop here, so I could have all my focus on having a good time rather then half of the focus on Lucas.

Lucas is blowing lots of raspberries. It's his new skill this week. Although I've been spit on alot. It's great. Also Darryl had him laughing like a little kid, over and over again in his jolly jumper. Baby laughing is the best thing EVER!

Hope everyone is enjoy their New Years Day!

Till tommorrow.

Jenn