Sleep Training vs Sleep and Avery’s First Snow

02/07/2014 R.C. Liley 5 Comments

Can you mix attachment parenting with sleep training? I say yes, as we’ve been doing just that for the past few days.

A successful sleep! sleep training — A successful sleep!

Avery has been going to sleep in her crib for almost 2 weeks now, and when she wakes for feeding during the night, I’ll bring her to Kelley to have her fill.

Then, the plan was that I would take Avery back to the crib and get her back to sleep. Fail. Either Kelley or I will end up sleeping with her the rest of the night. Oh well, this way we all sleep longer without fighting to get her down in the crib. Win.

If she’s not fussy, she’ll stay with Kelley and have easy access to boob for the next feeding, but if she’s not going back to sleep, I’ll take over so Kelley can rest since she has to work.

All of the sleep training, cry it out method supporters are probably just thinking, “Suckers, they’ll never win.”, but I disagree. I know that being able to just hold Avery close and cuddle with her (yes, I said cuddle and I’m not ashamed!) will not last forever, so making the most of this time only seems right. Kelley and I both agree with this as we all know time goes too fast and we don’t want to waste it trying several times to get her to sleep in her crib at night.

She does just fine in the crib during the day, and eventually, we know the inevitable will happen, but for now, I see no harm. The other day as the cold front swept in, our heater crapped out and blew nothing but cold air which woke Avery from her nap. I had things to do around the house, but wanted to make sure she was rested and happy before Kelley got home. So I brought her to the recliner, wrapped in my jacket, and just rocked with her until she was asleep again.

The sun went down and I had to pee pretty bad, but didn’t want to stop holding her. So I sat in a cold, dark room with a full bladder until se had a good sleep and Kelley was home and ready to see our happy baby. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I’ll remember that time for years to come.

Yesterday it remained cold here in the Lone Star State, and we were graced with snow. This was Avery’s first! She wasn’t doing very good in the nap department, but we eventually ventured outside with her oversized bear coat. She was pretty damn cute with her long sleeves flapping as she moved her arms all over!

After the photo session to document her first snow, we went on another Long, Cold Walk just like the day before. She was squirmy at first, but before I knew it, she was sound asleep and I was just talking to myself (not uncommon). And so another long, cold walk ensued. I thought I lost an ear at one point, but it was just my whole face turning numb……then burning. 3+ miles in the books and I loved every second.

Once we returned, I couldn’t help but try for a few more pictures. I even tried making snow angels with her facing out in the Baby Bjorn..

That was my first and last try to do that!

It’s still cold her and more snow might come, so I’ll try for round three of walking with Avery to see if she’ll nap again.

What are your thoughts on sleep training and the various methods used to get your baby to sleep?

How do you make the most out of the time with your baby before they are all grown up?

Baby Wearing, Parenting

A Long, Cold Walk

02/06/2014 R.C. Liley 3 Comments

Yesterday Avery, Abby (our Golden Retriever), and I went for an afternoon walk after Avery’s morning nap. It was pretty cold, but I had Avery snug in my giant winter coat wearing her in the Baby Bjorn. I really want to try the Ergo, by the way, I’ve heard it’s much better for long distance stuff!

Not from our walk, but a recent store trip where I was taking time to avoid waking her in the sling.

Anyway, it was in the 30’s but the wind-chill made it more in the teens. My face and ears can attest to that! Although I’m not a boot wearin’ cattle drivin kind of Texan, I still choose heat over cold any day!

I didn’t expect her to fall asleep since I planned on putting her in the crib for nap two of the day, but of course, she was out. I have no clue how since the blistering wind was reeking havoc on my extremities!

Every time we’ve gone on a walk in the past, Avery always wakes up when we go back inside, so, being happy to just have her resting, I decided to keep walking until she awoke. A little over 3 miles and more snot rockets than I can remember, and she was awake. Surprisingly, she stayed asleep as the town tested their tornado sirens……very annoying.

I have heard from many other parents to enjoy this time since we won’t always be able to hold our dear babies forever, and this walk, albeit not in ideal weather, is something I will always cherish. I hope I’m able to go on many more before it’s too late.

Oh, and an update to my Just Go Poop!! post; she went, and then kept going! I asked for it and got a lot of it. Is it sad this makes me happy? Meh, whatev….

Parents, do you have any special memories of when your baby was a baby, or maybe still is? Please share if you care, I’d like to know.

Parenting

Just Go Poop!!

02/05/2014 R.C. Liley 4 Comments

Is it sad that I anxiously wait in anticipation for Avery to have her poop of the day? That’s a rhetorical question, so don’t answer.

Most parents must have similar feelings towards the “poop of the day” for their babies, right? I mean, once that poop’s out, it just seems like Avery is more relaxed (therefore sleeps better) and happier, just like us adults. No one wants a bunch of crap they can’t get rid of, literally.

Avery has been eating really good, but I just don’t see the poop as much as I would expect. I guess it’s mostly pee or something. Makes sense being only liquid she’s having right now. And when she does poop, oh man, it can be massive! But she gives us about 20 million phantom poops all day with her farts. Seriously, some can be pretty wet sounding, and we when check, nothing. Throws Kelley and me through a loop every day!

Well, another night in crib has passed, but not without its issues. She woke up fussy several times, and Kelley calmed her a few, but then as it got later she broke out of the swaddle and I needed to go in there. I mentioned before about the husband and wife having differences on certain aspects of raising a child, and last night we ran into those. Nothing big, but differences nonetheless.

First off, I am more accepting of letting Avery cry for several minutes after being laid down. If she’s not opening her eyes, I consider her just being very restless and it will subside. Kelley, being the very attentive and wonderful mother she is, can’t stand this and wants to soothe her. When it’s late, Kelley needs to sleep, but she got up since I was waiting too long.

Who’s wrong or right? I have no clue, but figure it’s just our different styles. I wouldn’t let Avery sit and scream for 30 minutes or anything, but who knows maybe I am doing things wrong. If so, sorry Kelley….and Avery. Right now I’m watching Avery take her morning nap and she’s been pretty good so far; wish the nights were the same.

The other little thing is swaddling. Kelley thought I made it too tight and that her arms shouldn’t be by her side and should be folded up near her chest. I prefer to make a snug swaddle she can’t mover her arms all over and hit herself or suck her hands. I never knew the exact placement the arms should be, so I looked it up.

As you’d expect, the internet has sources saying to do both of those ways. Here’s a link I found that’s pretty informative from Troublesome Tots. Scroll down a little to “Swaddling Houdini Babies”. Avery is great at breaking her arms free, so I would label her a Houdini Baby. This says to place arms at her side snugly, but allow for the feet to move. So, that’s what I do, but other places say you can do arms up. The FAQ section on The Happiest Baby on the Block also says arms down is good. The question was “Can swaddling a baby with arms down be bad?”

Where does that get us? No where, really, but we can try both and see what works best for Avery. The most important thing, is that Kelley and I can not work against each other and make sure we are both happy. I miss seeing her during the day, so I’d like to enjoy our time when she is home.

All you baby swaddlers out there, how do you swaddle your baby? Anything work better for your little ones?