I recently took Madison for her one year check up. I told the pediatrician she was still co-sleeping (where she had been since she was BORN) and I had resigned myself to the fact that I missed that *learning window* where she might be able to adapt to a new sleeping system. My ped assured me that it was not too late. There was HOPE! I told her thanks, but I don't think so. I just couldn't imagine she would not cry for 12 hours straight if I put her into her crib again. Did not believe her.
Until...one night, in her usual spot (right between us) she was totally not going to go sleep. She was playing, sitting up, talking...we decided RIGHT then to give it a try. You wouldn't believe this baby, who I had to cuddle and fed to sleep each night, only cried for about 20 minutes and went to sleep. The first night, she did spend a lot of time sleeping while sitting up. But each night since, it has gotten better. Last night, I handed her a bottle and she laid herself down and went to sleep. She may have cried for 5 minutes total. WHAT a relief. I can't tell you how worried I was about sleeping with 2 babies!! I was barely sleeping with just one. Madison likes to bop you in the face while you are in an unsuspecting slumber. Multiple times a night! Just ask her daddy.
Now, of course I have a monitor for her. You know I go and check on her at least 3 times a night. I wake up at odd times and think, OMG I have slept this long??? It's been great. Not to mention, I had not actually slept next to my husband for over a year. So, that's been especially nice, of course.
We are SO excited to meet baby Matthew. NOT, M.J., or Matt, Jr., or even T-Roy, but Matthew. I am SO excited to not be pregnant anymore! No offense pregnancy, but you know. I can tell you, our bodies were designed to birth these kids earlier rather than later in life. With Moriah, I didn't know what an ache or pain was. My entire pregnancy was smooth and EASY. I was never even the slightest bit uncomfortable. THAT is what I thought it would be like each time. HA. I was very surprised with my pregnancy with Madison to have been as uncomfortable as I was. This time, I knew what to expect. I was in *new baby love* with Madison when we decided to have another one. That is the same as being on drugs or intoxicated. Not a good state to be in when you make major life choices, eh? I am so glad we chose then to have one more.
Until...one night, in her usual spot (right between us) she was totally not going to go sleep. She was playing, sitting up, talking...we decided RIGHT then to give it a try. You wouldn't believe this baby, who I had to cuddle and fed to sleep each night, only cried for about 20 minutes and went to sleep. The first night, she did spend a lot of time sleeping while sitting up. But each night since, it has gotten better. Last night, I handed her a bottle and she laid herself down and went to sleep. She may have cried for 5 minutes total. WHAT a relief. I can't tell you how worried I was about sleeping with 2 babies!! I was barely sleeping with just one. Madison likes to bop you in the face while you are in an unsuspecting slumber. Multiple times a night! Just ask her daddy.
Now, of course I have a monitor for her. You know I go and check on her at least 3 times a night. I wake up at odd times and think, OMG I have slept this long??? It's been great. Not to mention, I had not actually slept next to my husband for over a year. So, that's been especially nice, of course.
We are SO excited to meet baby Matthew. NOT, M.J., or Matt, Jr., or even T-Roy, but Matthew. I am SO excited to not be pregnant anymore! No offense pregnancy, but you know. I can tell you, our bodies were designed to birth these kids earlier rather than later in life. With Moriah, I didn't know what an ache or pain was. My entire pregnancy was smooth and EASY. I was never even the slightest bit uncomfortable. THAT is what I thought it would be like each time. HA. I was very surprised with my pregnancy with Madison to have been as uncomfortable as I was. This time, I knew what to expect. I was in *new baby love* with Madison when we decided to have another one. That is the same as being on drugs or intoxicated. Not a good state to be in when you make major life choices, eh? I am so glad we chose then to have one more.
I know the feeling of getting up and checking in on the kiddos. Mine are going to be 5 and 3 in less than a month and I still wake up at least once and drudge downstairs to check in on them!! I still have the monitor plugged in and all. But they are downstairs and we are up so that makes a difference to. Good luck with the crib sleeping, isn't it funny how all of a sudden they just don't need those extra baby-ish snuggles? Kind of sad, but kind of not:)
ReplyDeleteWell I was knocking on 30's door with the birth of my first, so I have no idea what a pain-free pregnancy is like -- but it must have been nice!
ReplyDeleteAs for the co-sleeping, I have not managed to get my eldest entirely out of my bed yet. But we are just doing what works for us. I tell myself he won't still be sleeping in my bed when he starts college. :-p But I do have two kiddos in bed with me some nights. That isn't very fun....