Getting there

Last week went fairly well. Charli is now napping in her crib. She is sleeping anywhere from 40-60 minutes in her crib. Bedtime is going great. She is going to bed so well. She sleeps 10-12 hours a night!!! I must say she's a peach. It's hard to believe she's been with me nearly two months. She has come soooo far.

I have to share with all of you a picture from October 16, 2008. It was my dad's 69th birthday. Eric's family, me, Charli and my folks had lunch together and then we took the kids to a great park here in Hudson. Emma wanted my dad to swing with her. Well, here's photo proof that he's still a kid (at 69) Although you can't see her, Emma is on the swing next to him. It was an absolutely fabulous day. And I know my dad had fun. How could he not???!!!

This is also my last full week home. It just doesn't seem possible. But like I said she's been home nearly 2 months. Next week we'll be heading to the office far more regularly. The first two weeks will be kind of part-time and adjusting. It will be different.

sara

The struggle continues

Well, after the first day, she then cried for 40 minutes and slept for 30. The next two days she cried the entire hour. Yesterday was dad's birthday. We spent about 40 minutes outside at a playground with mom, dad, Emma, Jake and Karen. She was pooped. However, she still cried for nearly 30 minutes but then did sleep for almost an hour!!! Today, I went in to the office for a bit and met mom for lunch at Panera. Charli of course fell asleep in the car. (see the photo, this is a common site) She didn't take another nap. The real upside to all of this not napping, is that she is in bed and out by no later than 7:00PM. I'm begining to wonder if she's not going to be much of a napper. I know kids need their sleep, but there are some who just don't nap. I will continue to try. It's a good thing that bedtime is going well. And for the most part, she sleeps through the night. So for that I am very thankful. She's only been home for 6 weeks, I can't and don't expect her to have adjusted to everything. She's doing so well, that if this is my issue to deal with, I am truly blessed. (especially since I have heard that many of the people out of PGN waiting for BC's may wait as long as 3 months!!!! - my daughter is home.)

sara

Naps

Well, I started trying to set a nap schedule yesterday. I am using the tips from the book, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Weissbluth. My friend Juli loaned it to me. Granted some of it pertains to bringing home a newborn, but there's plenty of good advice. So, I've done a few soothing tricks and put her in her crib. Yesterday she cried for about 25 minutes and then slept for 45. Today she cried for nearly 40 minutes. I hope she sleeps for at least an hour. It's going to take all of this week for sure to get her accustomed to napping in her bed and not in my arms. The hardest part is listening to her cry. It tears me up. But I do know that I have to do this as I can't hold her when I go back to work or once she does finally go off to day care. If any of you have any other advice or tricks, feel free to share. As for bedtime, I do believe we have our routine down. I'm not saying there won't be nights where she wakes or fights going to bed, but it's working and she knows the routine. She even seems to want to go upstairs to rock (it's the getting in the crib she still would rather avoid). I then have to stop and think that it's been exactly 1 month today (10/13/08) that we have been home. She is such a good and happy baby. I can't imagine not having her home.

Well, I'm off to see what "work" related things I can get taken care of. Talk to you soon.

sara

Finally some new pix

 

Sorry for the delay. Here's a collage of pix of the first couple of weeks home. (thanks Juli for teaching me how to do this) Being a mom is absolutely wonderful. My only issue is figuring out how to get "my stuff" done. When I try to do anything on the computer, Charli wants to type too. And naps are still not happening unless held. (that will be next weeks project) So, my time is after she goes to bed. I usually get the dishes done, bottles filled and then sit down to do what I need to around 8:30PM-9:00PM. Needless to say things don't all get done in one night. And this may shock many of you who know me, but I don't mind!!! I am enjoying the fact that there's always tomorrow.

Charli is adjusting (other than sleep habits) very well. She is a true delight. She will be 14 months old in 11 days and to see her find excitement in the smallest of things is a lot of fun.

I will do my best to keep you posted on stuff, but I know you all understand that I am still adjusting to the parenthood thing.

Again, thanks for all your support.
sara