A Good Night's Sleep

                                                                    This ^ busy boy...

                                                          ...is also this ^ happy guy....

                                                ...who is also this ^ sweet, sleeping cherub.

That's right, it took eight months to sleep train Sean. If that sounds like hell to you, then get this: I'm planning to do the same when it comes time for go-round #2.
No, I'm not crazy, or one of those "sleep is for the weak" types, but in my experience with Sean, getting up at night with my baby made for some real benefits.
At first, when he was a newborn, it just made sense for me to get up with him several times a night. After being inside me for 9 1/2 months, he was accustomed to having constant comfort and nourishment, as well as being able to sleep when he wanted. Waking with him at night also helped me in getting into the swing of breastfeeding, which, as I've mentioned before, has done wonders for his health and mine.
Then, when he was about three and a half months old, we stopped swaddling him every night, but I kept getting up between one and three times a night. Of course, at this point there were no diapers that needed changing, but he still would get hungry. So, I continued on with it, and Sean ended up snuggled in bed with me more often than what most people probably would recommend.
When Sean turned six months old, feedings had dwindled to once a night. At that point, I don't believe it was stemming from a physical need, but more likely from wanting some comfort and assurance that his mama was there for him. Besides, we were still sharing our little bedroom with him, so I would awaken at his every peep.
When Sean was seven months old, we moved into our new house. Naturally, we wanted him to feel secure in his new surroundings, so we set up our small crib in the master bedroom.
After several weeks of that, we moved him into the full sized crib in the nursery. We got the baby monitor set up and crossed our fingers.
And he slept like, well- like a baby!
He'll wake up every now and then, but my boy is solidly sleeping through the night!
Knowing that Sean is happy and feels secure and cared for makes all of those night of getting up with hims so worth it. Turns out, graveyard shift isn't so bad, after all.

Two Years

Yesterday marked two years since the first day we started courting. It amazes me how fast that time went. So much has happened; the wedding, a new vehicle, our sweet boy, and a house of our own, not to mention Blogger's numerous reinventions (I'm not too fond of the new format).

Of course I was feeling all nostalgic, so I had planned to make a more-fancy-than-usual dinner, dress up, set the table nicely, etc. A busy boy who loves to grab everything, a list of errands, housework, and the occasional smushed pretzel in the carpet changed the direction of those plans, though.
We still had our chicken crepes, but the salad was less than inspired and the Caesar dressing (for reasons unknown) was congealed, and there were yogurt fingerprints to clean up. Then we watched a movie and ate salted peanuts and kept the little hands away from the cords.

What is life without some imperfection?

I have to admit, even though I love having a home of our own, I have about double the square feet to keep clean, and with Sean crawling everywhere now, some of it has to be done while he naps (which is why, if it weren't for the fact that I haven't blogged in so long, I'd be feeling pretty guilty right now).
Sean is getting so big, and is such a sweet boy! He gets into everything, but learns quickly when we tell him "no." He babbles so much, is always making us laugh, and gives such soft, warm hugs. :-)
I love being his Mama.

Well, I would post a picture of Ridge and I, but I need to get a more recent one than what I have.
I hope to start posting more, but this is all for now!