Well, I decided that instead of making a whole different blog, I would just go ahead and change the title of this one and keep going. The above pics were taken on his one month birthday. :) It's been an emotional rollercoaster this month - I've learned that trying to set up a schedule with a newborn is absolutely POINTLESS and is only for those that are anal in everything that they do. I'm not that way, and I want to enjoy my little one, so if that means that I have to sleep with the little guy so he can get the rest he needs, then I'll do it!
The most challenging part right now is nighttime. During the day he is a little angel and we have a lot of fun playing and exploring when he's awake. Some nights are calm, but lately, after about 7pm it's like a storm has erupted inside him. He cries and cries - they say to assess the situation: diaper, feedings, check his temperature, and if all of those things are ok, then deal with it. Easier said than done. I've found that he's really very tired and it's just a matter of settling him down and loving him to sleep. He's such a cuddly baby and loves to be held close, which I absolutely love. So, like I said, I know I'm breaking all the rules by letting him sleep in the bed with me, but it's the only way I've found that he'll give up the fight and get his sleep. Once we've drifted off to sleep, I've found that in about an hour or so I can put him back in the bassinet....it's just a matter of getting to that point. So if anyone has any words of wisdom on that topic, I'd love to hear them!!!
Tonight Adam and I are going out to celebrate my birthday which is Friday - his mom and stepdad offered to watch him while we go out to eat and have a "date night" of our own. I was going to try and pump some milk for them, but I'm just way too sore for the pump right now. So formula will have to do for a feeding or two. It will be nice to get out although I know I'll be thinking about him all night! Tomorrow I'm going to take him to school during the kids' party and possibly for awards if he'll last that long. We really haven't been out that much, other than to my mom's, the doctor, and a quick trip into JCPenny's. I've also been taking him out for walks in the stroller down our road, and he loves to be outside. It's amazing how wide his eyes get when I take him out just before it gets dark (that also calms him down - but then when we get back in the house he gets all fussy again!)
Well, I guess that will be all for this time! Thanks for reading and sharing this journey with me! :)
3 comments:
Boy, I remember those days! And it's so easy for people to say, "Just put him down in his bed & ignore the cries/yells/screams/etc.....He'll eventually fall asleep." That is absolute torture (for me & the baby) to me! Although it does work for some, I guess.
I think (from what I can remember!!) that I would often either hold him and rock him in a chair (in a rather dark room singing or having some soft music on) or else I would sit on the edge of a bed & hold him & sort of bounce myself up and down....he'd sometimes fall asleep then, and I could put him in his crib. The problem was sometimes when he'd wake up again just as soon as I'd lay him down. (UGH!!)
I guess only you are going to figure out what works for Paul Daniel...I wouldn't feel too guilty though about what you're doing. It won't last forever and he'll eventually get more the hang of it!
Hope you have a good birthday dinner date tonight --- looking forward to Sistahood!!
It's a good thing I checked the blog! I agree with Becky. Everyone who gives you "advice" is basing it on their own experiences. So, I guess if someone had 15 babies, then they would know what they're talking about, but other than that, it's still pretty much uncharted territory because each baby is different. I can't begin to tell you what to do, for the most part, because Shawn was never fussy (I won't rub it in too hard). But, I did find that rocking him in a dark room, with soft music, etc. seemed to "set the mood" for sleep-- for me, if not for him! And, again, as Laura said, it won't last long-- it seems like this phase in his life lasts for YEARS if you're going through it, but it's only a drop in the bucket. Just a thought (not advice!)-- you might try establishing a certain time each night that you "prepare" him for bed-- with a routine-- like rocking him in a darkened room with soft music, etc. And, it can kinda be "yours and Paul Daniel's time", too, without any distractions... Hope you had a nice "birthday date"! I'm ready for Sistahood!!
oops! I meant to say "I agree with LAURA".... that's what I get for not previewing my post before publishing it!
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