For the first time in 13 months, I slept in a room all by myself. Two nights ago, I decided it was time to move Peapod into her own room. Neither of us were sleeping well anymore and it wasn't helping her out at all to have her Momma a foot away. There have been many times since being here that I have woken up standing next to her bed, literally. At her first beckoning whine, I instinctively would go to "save" her. Even in my sleep. Bad bad. And she had been reverting back to sleeping in 3 hour increments- sleep 3 hoursish, cry, nurse, sleep 3 more hoursish, cry, nurse, all over. So, after much consideration, it seemed like the right time to make the break. So far, we're two nights in. Night one went really well. Still nursed the same times, but it was much easier for us both to go back to sleep. Night two...not so well. I think I might be trying to change too much at one time, but I'm attempting to eliminate one of the night feedings as well. I read a real eye opening chapter in my book
What to Expect the First Year which said that physiologically a thriving healthy baby doesn't need to eat during the night. Instead, it becomes a comfort and keeps baby from learning to put herself back to sleep. Thus the big changes that I'm attempting. She is obviously healthy and very obviously thriving, so now we work on her sleeping. Last night, after putting her back to sleep from waking up around 4am (without nursing), she fell asleep for ten minutes at a time- 3 times. After the third time in an hour of getting up, shushing/rocking her back to sleep, getting back in bed, then waking up to her crying through the monitor ten minutes later, I gave in. She was one happy girl when her Momma let her in bed with her for the rest of the night. Once we snuggled, all was right in her world. We'll see how night three goes. Here's to two hours in her own room so far tonight.
I mean, who could ever say no to this face?
Have you been up for a sunrise recently? No? Well I have. Often actually. But normally I attempt to keep my eyes shut as much as possible- or at least avoid any direct light that would keep me awake more than absolutely necessary. Yesterday morning was different. I was up with the baby and saying my daily prayer for the Giant when I noticed outside. It was so beautiful. I had to take a picture so I could share it with the Giant in my daily letters. God must have enjoyed painting that one. I sure enjoyed staring.
