About a few days ago we started to see some promising results of ST. Kaua has been going down to bed, recently with only a short amount of fuss - approximately 5-10 mins, then even more recently, has been going down w/o fuss!!!! Hallelujah! Unfortunately, he still isn't super consistent and there has been an occasional going to sleep with screaming, but generally, prebedtime fuss is fairly mundane and consists of blowing off steam whining/crying instead of screams. the past 3 days or so, he has gone down w/o any crying or fussing, but I have to admit that I cheat a little and stay in the room after putting him down for an extra 5 minutes or so, gently patting him and shushing him until he sleeps. I dont know if this is helping or harming the situation, but I greatly enjoy leaving the room with a sleeping baby rather than leaving the room with a crying baby.
As for MOTN, that still is a challenge, but there has been significant improvement in that department as well. He generally doesn't need a bottle anymore, but does still get up one time in the MOTN and has been inconsistent in getting back to sleep. Sometimes he'll fuss and cry for what seems like forever and at other times, he'll go back to sleep with just a small amount of shushing and patting (after picking him up to calm him down). He'll also get up a second time usually around 5am-6am and again, we've still been allowing him to co-sleep with us at this waking, only b/c we each only have about 1-2 hours left of sleep and we desparately want those precious minutes/hours (for all of us). It is sooo easy to just bring him into bed at this time and have him sleep quickly, rather than having him screaming for 20 minutes, pretty much ensuring that none of us get anymore sleep for the morning. It is upon this waking that Kaua usually asks for his first bottle of the day, and it's been working out to give it to him. I figure that he's been asleep and w/o a bottle for practically 11-12 hours, so a bottle at this time is more than necessary.
As for how we ST, I must say that having that bedtime routine is a must. I'm not super exact in how we do it, but it generally consists of bath, playtime, storytime, lullabye while rocking him with the lights off, then put him down. The playtime, storytime and lullabye with rocking is an always. The bath is sometimes done early or later, depending on where Kaua is and who is watching him. Dinner sometimes is thrown in, as well as a bottle, and these mixers to the bedtime routine dont seem to throw him off very much. I'm also not extremely strict with the clock and when he goes down to sleep, but I do try to keep everything in between 6:30-7:30pm. Occassionally, it may be later, depending on how he naps during the day. (Which is another challenge, only because there are several different people watching him on any given day, so his nap location and the way he goes down are ever changing.)
Anyway, I must say that ST was a success and we saw real results after 2 weeks.
As for bebe #2, I'm now 13 weeks and apparently out of the 1T. Time sure does fly! The doctor's visit yesterday went smoothly (despite a 45 min. delay at the office!) and bebe's heartbeat is at 160's. A little higher than Kaua, so I'm hoping that signifies a girl! I know, it's an old wives tale that girls have faster heartbeats than boys, but anything to amuse me. We're seriously considering flying to the main city to give birth because let's face it, I'm a wimp when it comes to labor and I need to have access to an epidural and they dont offer epis at the local hospital. It'll take significant planning, however, to fly to another island to give birth, in large part because I wouldn't know when to go, how long to make acommodation arrangements, how long to have a car rental, etc. Another issue is what to do with Kaua when we do go to the hospital. Here, we have family members who he's extremely comfortable with, but there, none. Both my grandma and mom have volunteered to fly up with us though, so that is a possibility, if we can work out the acommodations part.So if we can pull it off, we're going to try.
Housing situation is getting better. DH installed the wood laminate floors and it's looking wonderful. Still tons more work to do and it is pretty exhausting, especially with a toddler, but it's working out.
Oh and kaua can take several steps on his own, but STILL NO WALKING! Ugh! This boy is really taking after his mama, and may end up walking at 15 months like I did. He turned 14 months old yesterday...so we've got 1 month to get him to beat my record. lol.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sleep Training Saga, part 2
We did ST night 6 tonight. It's been TOUGH! Because kaua is an "older" baby, the normal ST methods that I've been reading about with timed checks weren't working. Every time we went in to check on him, it'd make him scream even more. Also, because he can stand (almost walking, but not quite, he did take his first step today on his own, but quickly went down to his knees and wouldn't repeat it), he stands in his crib throwing huge tantrums when he's crying it out. I searched and searched the baby boards about sleep training for solutions because Kaua would easily be able to cry for 1 hour plus and stand the whole time. Finally, I discovered that with older babies, because they're older, they've got more stamina and can cry longer, scream louder and generally dont fare well with checks. Also, with the standing, no matter how much you go in and try to lie them back down, they'll just pop back up. I finally read several posts from other moms who've had to ST their toddler who've said that they basically do CIO-extinction method (no checks) with 1 15-20 minute check initially. I started this last night with Kaua and it seems to be the best method. He only gets more pissed whenever we check him (check = shush, pat or brief pick up put down). The only reason why we check him is to make sure he's not hurt, wet, and knows that while we mean business about him sleeping on his own in his crib, we're not abandoning him.
Kaua still cries when we put him in his crib, and cry isn't exactly the word, it's more of a scream/tantrum/rage. But the time it takes from the beginning of this process to him sleeping is slowly decreasing. It took 1 hour 15 mins. the first night and tonight it was about 1/2 an hour. He still also wakes up in the middle of the night (MOTN), but those wakes have been getting better. I'd say he wakes on average about 3 x a night. The hardest MOTN waking for him to fall back asleep is the one at the 5:00 am hour. He seems to not want to go back to sleep and is very willing to throw a tantrum until daylight appears, so I'm not quite sure what's the best way to handle this. I've resorted to letting him sleep with us for that last 1-2 hours just to get some sleep for all of us.
I'm greatly looking forward to those days when he'll go down in his crib awake and not need to throw himself a tantrum before sleeping. It is difficult to knowingly allow your kid to scream and cry in that manner for that long, but I know it will be worth it. I know that in order for this to work, however, we need to stick with the training. We've got a bed time routine down and as soon as Kaua figures out that this is the way it's going to be, I'm sure it'll get easier (I hope....).
As for the pregnancy, thanks so much for the congratulations and well wishes everyone. It seems to be going well, but I have no idea what's going on in there. I'm going by faith that all is well until my next appointment next week.
Kaua still cries when we put him in his crib, and cry isn't exactly the word, it's more of a scream/tantrum/rage. But the time it takes from the beginning of this process to him sleeping is slowly decreasing. It took 1 hour 15 mins. the first night and tonight it was about 1/2 an hour. He still also wakes up in the middle of the night (MOTN), but those wakes have been getting better. I'd say he wakes on average about 3 x a night. The hardest MOTN waking for him to fall back asleep is the one at the 5:00 am hour. He seems to not want to go back to sleep and is very willing to throw a tantrum until daylight appears, so I'm not quite sure what's the best way to handle this. I've resorted to letting him sleep with us for that last 1-2 hours just to get some sleep for all of us.
I'm greatly looking forward to those days when he'll go down in his crib awake and not need to throw himself a tantrum before sleeping. It is difficult to knowingly allow your kid to scream and cry in that manner for that long, but I know it will be worth it. I know that in order for this to work, however, we need to stick with the training. We've got a bed time routine down and as soon as Kaua figures out that this is the way it's going to be, I'm sure it'll get easier (I hope....).
As for the pregnancy, thanks so much for the congratulations and well wishes everyone. It seems to be going well, but I have no idea what's going on in there. I'm going by faith that all is well until my next appointment next week.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The secret's out and cry it out!
First off, I've been composing several posts but not "posting" them until I was ready to share the news. But now that the word's out (we wanted to share it with friends and family via the every popular "i'm going to be a big brother" t-shirt method which we did over the weekend), I'm going to publicly post those posts.
But yes, Kaua is going to be a big brother! I'm 10 weeks pregnant and due Aug. 5, just one day before my 32 birthday. (I'm hoping this kid doesn't come on my birthday because that'll mean I'll never have a birthday celebration again). While this pregnancy is a blessing it sure is different than my last. With a little one to take care of already, there is definitely a lot less time spent thinking about this pregnancy. Not that my love for this second child will be any less, it's just different now that it's my second. I haven't taken any belly photos, and while I am not quite flat stomached (not sure if I ever was since kaua), I'm not really showing much. I just look pudgy. I dont really feel much nausea, unless I haven't eaten breakfast in the morning (which is almost never, b/c I always eat breakfast). I did feel fatigued more than before these past few weeks, but thankfully, I've gotten my energy back. I also feel what I believe is sciatic nerve pain in my lower left back, almost near my tailbone. I'm not sure if that is sciatic pain, but I think it is. I go back to the docs to confirm all is well with this pregnancy in a couple weeks, so till then, I'm just going on faith that all is well. My first appointment to confirm the pregnancy went well, so the doc had no reason for me to come in for extra appointments.
And on to my next topic of the post. Since there is going to be a number 2 (yup, I've been referring to this child as the ever 'original' "number 2), we've decided that we really need Kaua to sleep on his own in his own crib and in his own room. We are on night number two of sleep training and we're doing a cry it out method with checks. Man-oh-man is it tough! This boy has a scream and he is strong willed. Tonight he didn't go down for about 1 hour of crying, checking, getting him to sleep for a few seconds, then repeating the cycle. Kaua like to stand in his crib to get his point across, so everytime I went back in after letting him cry for a few minutes he was standing. He cried so hard that he pretty much exhausted himself. The last time I went in to lie him back down, he protested halfheartedly and didn't attempt to rise up. He finally fell asleep around 9pm and we started this at about 7:45pm. He also woke up about 3-4 times last night and DH was the champion because he did most of the MOTN waking sessions. He also got up early with kaua to let me sleep since he knows how tired I've been. I'm hoping that tonight will be better, but who knows. DH goes back to work Friday so that'll be my first night alone with the new sleep training pattern. Yikes! But we've resolved to get this habit settled so that we dont have two kids sleeping with us. (our goal is to also not have number 2 sleep with us and we're hoping that since we have our own house, we'll be able to better manage their sleep schedule). I'm definitely not looking forward to the week ahead, but I remember when we weaned him from BFing at night it was a horrible 1 week, then everything went well since. I'm hoping the same happens with this sleep training. I know in the long run, we'll all be much happier.
But yes, Kaua is going to be a big brother! I'm 10 weeks pregnant and due Aug. 5, just one day before my 32 birthday. (I'm hoping this kid doesn't come on my birthday because that'll mean I'll never have a birthday celebration again). While this pregnancy is a blessing it sure is different than my last. With a little one to take care of already, there is definitely a lot less time spent thinking about this pregnancy. Not that my love for this second child will be any less, it's just different now that it's my second. I haven't taken any belly photos, and while I am not quite flat stomached (not sure if I ever was since kaua), I'm not really showing much. I just look pudgy. I dont really feel much nausea, unless I haven't eaten breakfast in the morning (which is almost never, b/c I always eat breakfast). I did feel fatigued more than before these past few weeks, but thankfully, I've gotten my energy back. I also feel what I believe is sciatic nerve pain in my lower left back, almost near my tailbone. I'm not sure if that is sciatic pain, but I think it is. I go back to the docs to confirm all is well with this pregnancy in a couple weeks, so till then, I'm just going on faith that all is well. My first appointment to confirm the pregnancy went well, so the doc had no reason for me to come in for extra appointments.
And on to my next topic of the post. Since there is going to be a number 2 (yup, I've been referring to this child as the ever 'original' "number 2), we've decided that we really need Kaua to sleep on his own in his own crib and in his own room. We are on night number two of sleep training and we're doing a cry it out method with checks. Man-oh-man is it tough! This boy has a scream and he is strong willed. Tonight he didn't go down for about 1 hour of crying, checking, getting him to sleep for a few seconds, then repeating the cycle. Kaua like to stand in his crib to get his point across, so everytime I went back in after letting him cry for a few minutes he was standing. He cried so hard that he pretty much exhausted himself. The last time I went in to lie him back down, he protested halfheartedly and didn't attempt to rise up. He finally fell asleep around 9pm and we started this at about 7:45pm. He also woke up about 3-4 times last night and DH was the champion because he did most of the MOTN waking sessions. He also got up early with kaua to let me sleep since he knows how tired I've been. I'm hoping that tonight will be better, but who knows. DH goes back to work Friday so that'll be my first night alone with the new sleep training pattern. Yikes! But we've resolved to get this habit settled so that we dont have two kids sleeping with us. (our goal is to also not have number 2 sleep with us and we're hoping that since we have our own house, we'll be able to better manage their sleep schedule). I'm definitely not looking forward to the week ahead, but I remember when we weaned him from BFing at night it was a horrible 1 week, then everything went well since. I'm hoping the same happens with this sleep training. I know in the long run, we'll all be much happier.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
not the only one...
So i've been reading some posts and my comment (thanks Ella) and am happy to report that I'm not the only one who cosleeps (not by choice). Murgdan has an intriguing, informative and entertaining post about her co-sleeping endevours here.Yay, I'm not the only one. Apparently, cosleeping, and usually not by choice, is normal. whew!
Wanted to send my condolences to Jenniper who lost her twin daughter recently. I'm sure many of you follow Jenniper and if you dont, omg, you totally have to, she is HIL-A-RIOUS! But not right now. Right now she and her family are mourning the lost of their daughter and the birth of their other daughter. It was totally unexpected.
And onto my own post. Nothing new to report in the Kaua front. he's still the same. Patience is my word for the year. (Not sure if you remember, but a while back, I reported that each NYE, I pick a word that represents what I want to embody in the new year. The year kaua was conceived and born, my word was create.) I chose patience b/c as a mommy, you sure need a lot of it. while a child is the most blessed gift, he (or she) is also such a challenge. Words cannot describe. Its like your wants and desires will be second to someone elses, always. Your "me" time is very limited, you are always planning your day, your life, around someone else. Examples? feeling tired and want to sleep in? Too bad, you're getting up at 6:30am whether you want to or not. He'll eat what he wants when he wants, and if he doesn't want it, he'll spit it out, on the floor. Cant type on the laptop while he's around, he'll come by and try to "type" as well. Want to step out of the room? well, you better either bring him with you or prepare for tears. I'm getting good at carrying a 23 pounder in one arm and everything else in another. Like getting your hair pulled, your tummy hit, or bitten? Well get used to it, they do this for attention and think its funny. It's amazing how many people do this parenting thing in the world. Every parent should have an award, seriously. I'veke heard it gets harder. Yikes!
On the "blah, blah, blah" front, going off island for a trip this weekend and looking forward to it. Got new carpeting in our home (just the bedrooms) two days ago, our wood laminate flooring also just arrived and DH will be slaving away at installing it in the living room, dining room and hallway next week sometime. Totally stoked about the flooring, although operation new home is still a work in progress. Let me just say that we STILL dont have a couch and I am writing to you while sitting on our 1 beach chair.
Wanted to send my condolences to Jenniper who lost her twin daughter recently. I'm sure many of you follow Jenniper and if you dont, omg, you totally have to, she is HIL-A-RIOUS! But not right now. Right now she and her family are mourning the lost of their daughter and the birth of their other daughter. It was totally unexpected.
And onto my own post. Nothing new to report in the Kaua front. he's still the same. Patience is my word for the year. (Not sure if you remember, but a while back, I reported that each NYE, I pick a word that represents what I want to embody in the new year. The year kaua was conceived and born, my word was create.) I chose patience b/c as a mommy, you sure need a lot of it. while a child is the most blessed gift, he (or she) is also such a challenge. Words cannot describe. Its like your wants and desires will be second to someone elses, always. Your "me" time is very limited, you are always planning your day, your life, around someone else. Examples? feeling tired and want to sleep in? Too bad, you're getting up at 6:30am whether you want to or not. He'll eat what he wants when he wants, and if he doesn't want it, he'll spit it out, on the floor. Cant type on the laptop while he's around, he'll come by and try to "type" as well. Want to step out of the room? well, you better either bring him with you or prepare for tears. I'm getting good at carrying a 23 pounder in one arm and everything else in another. Like getting your hair pulled, your tummy hit, or bitten? Well get used to it, they do this for attention and think its funny. It's amazing how many people do this parenting thing in the world. Every parent should have an award, seriously. I'veke heard it gets harder. Yikes!
On the "blah, blah, blah" front, going off island for a trip this weekend and looking forward to it. Got new carpeting in our home (just the bedrooms) two days ago, our wood laminate flooring also just arrived and DH will be slaving away at installing it in the living room, dining room and hallway next week sometime. Totally stoked about the flooring, although operation new home is still a work in progress. Let me just say that we STILL dont have a couch and I am writing to you while sitting on our 1 beach chair.
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