the goings on

A family picture on Easter

So an update on our life. Mostly right now we're consumed with the idea of sleeping while the actual act seems to slip farther and farther from our grasp. This kid sleeps worse now than he did as a brand newborn. Like, 45 minutes at a time and then waking and refusing to go back to sleep without eating. I realize this is absolutely my fault as I spent much of his first few months letting him sleep in my arms for naps and letting him fall asleep while nursing for nighttime sleep. What a sweet thing I thought it was! How was I to know this was a bad idea until it was too late?  His first few months he slept longer and longer and even hit seven hours straight one time! And then, it abruptly ended. First time mom problems. Our next baby will be a champion sleeper! I vow!

Anyway, we have been trying some tips from The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley (recommended by Angela, whose book recommendations are always spot on. I read everything she recommends! Thanks Angela) before we try the cry it out method. I'm not sure I can resort to that method without trying other things first. I know every mother hates the idea of listening to her child scream and not doing anything about it, but I think I really might have a permanent emotional breakdown if I have to. Not to be confused with the more common and less permanent emotional breakdowns I frequently have due to lack of sleep. Oh my poor husband. But anyway, for now, this is right for our little family, to try this way.

Really, though, one gets used to no sleep and the occasional three hour stretch this baby grants us feels like a huge gift! And we've seen some small signs of progress toward a full night since reading the book. I would be happy with just a night where every stretch was at least two hours. Low expectations are more likely to be met, right?

Aaaaaand, I really can't think of anything else to report. Literally, sleep or the lack thereof is everything right now. Tell me one day I'll sleep again?