Sleep Saga

Every new parent hopes for the baby who will "sleep through the night" within a few weeks of birth, and brags about it proudly (as if they had any control over it anyway) when they do. I was one of those hopeful parents, but alas, my dear baby gives me very little to "brag" about in the sleep department. It always baffles me that the #1 question I get in public is, "Does she sleep through the night yet?" or " How's she sleeping?" I've decided to just lie...because those who ask don't have the time to hear the saga of Maggie's short sleep history.

At this point, when it comes to sleep, my baby...

----sleeps well in arms, a sling, sometimes a swing, sometimes the car, and always well with a nipple (my nipple) in her mouth

----REFUSES to be "pacified" with a paci, even though she LOVES to suck

----Cry it out? oh....she will......for hours if you let her...but ofcourse, we have only learned this via long car trips, we cave in after 2 minutes whenever she cries at home. I'm sick and tired of hearing the cry it out method as the only advice for those of us with finicky sleepers. It's NOT an option for me at this point.

---Maggie naps well....as long as I am pushing her in a stroller (which makes for LONG walks for me), wearing her in the sling, and moving.... I can't complain, at least she naps...

---we bought a "Cocoon Sleeper" (like the Amby bed) a few weeks ago. It worked well for a couple weeks, but now she wakes up the INSTANT we put her in it, and WAILS if we put her in it awake. Some say there is a 4-month-old sleep regression that happens due to brain development, and that could be part of the change in her sleeping.

----as of late, Maggie sleeps CONNECTED to me at night, which means she doesn't go to bed until I do.....uuuuggh!



At this point, I'm starting to look at some of the sleep books out there, but there are thousands, and they all recommend something different, but usually agree on the CRY it OUT method...which I don't want to do. The Baby Whisperer makes me feel like a horrible parent, so I don't read her much these days. I'm kind of at the point where I'll do ANYTHING that works, which means she is nursing half the night. UUGH!

Anyone have any NON-cry it out advice? I realize part of it is personality..so if your kids have always been heavy sleepers who could crash anywhere, anytime....don't give me any advice :) I want to hear from those of you who had finicky sleepers. How did things turn out for you? I know there is light at the end of the tunnel, but I am SOO confused about the different theories out there. Will doing "whatever works" right now screw her up for life? I don' t think it will, but some books make me feel like that. Was I supposed to be doing something different from day one? Did I miss the sleep training train? AAGH.

Well, we'll keep on keepin on. At least I'm getting enough rest...it's just not the most comfortable to sleep with a babe in the crook of my arms all night. We'll keep trying to put her in her bed, but for now, she's not having it. I just feel so down sometimes when EVERY other mom tells me how their baby sleeps 7-8 hours in a row, then goes back to sleep for 4 more. I know there are other moms out there with babies like mine....it just feels like I am the only one sometimes. It's hard because I do EVERYTHING for Maggie all day to keep her happy, and i need a break at night. It is physically demanding to have walk for 2 hours to give her a good nap, and then wear her in the sling for the second nap of the day. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy walking, and it's great for losing baby weight, but there are days when I don't have the energy for it. I long for the days when she peacefully sleeps in her crib, so I can get something done around the house!

Oh well...enought complaining. I really just want some encouragement and suggestions from ANYONE out there who has been through this with a baby like Mags.

Thanks!

Maggie Update

I can't believe Maggie is already 4 months old, going on 5 months soon! It seems as if so much has happened in that short time. I thought I would post a bunch of pictures to let everyone know what Maggie has been up to lately! I thought it would be fun to write from Maggie's perspective.

Hi everyone! I am only 4 months old, but I already have LOTS of nicknames....


Aunt Carrie and cousin Kirsten call me "Mags-dalena"

Cousin Jon-Jon calls me "Maggie Magoo"

Cousin Vasi calls me "Magdalunee"... and she always says I'm "so sweet!" Her little sister Susy can't talk yet, but I think we will be best friends one day!

Grandpa and Marmee call me "Little Fiddle"

Mr. Tony and Ms. Emily call me "Maggie Moo". They are my best friend Hazel's mommy and daddy. I'll talk about her more later.

My mom warned me that her side of the family loves to give nicknames. I wonder how many I'll have when I am a whole year old!

I spend almost every day going on walks outside and playing with my best friend Hazel. She has a nickname too...it's Hazelbean. We are going to keep growing up together. Having her here in Santa Rosa makes being away from family a bit easier.

Last month, her mom and dad invited me and my mom to go to the Monterey aquarium with them. It was so much fun! I saw lots of fishies...like the ones daddy always watches movies about. Even though I cried the WHOLE 3-hour trip home, I hope we can go again soon....and that daddy can come next time! He'd love it there.

I've been on a plane 2 times! The second time, mommy and I went without daddy. I had a diaper blowout on the trip there and on the trip back.I don't think mommy wants to take me to Portland without daddy anymore :) In Portland, this last trip, I got to go to cousin Vasi's birthday, and I spent some very special time with Grandjo, my great-grandma. I don't know if I'll get to see her again.....it makes me sad. I think it cheered her up to see me. I'm her 35th great-grandchild. I also got to see Grandpa Harold and Grandma Jeanie again! I pulled on Grandpa's beard...it was fun! They could only visit for a little while, but I'm so glad they came to Portland to see me.

In March, Aunt Carrie, Kirsten, Jonathan, and my Grandma Jeanie came to visit us!!! My mom was reak sick while they were here, so Aunt Carrie took care of mommy and me while she was here! It was so much fun to have my cousins here! We went to the park every day so mommy could rest at home. I LOVED seeing Grandma Jeanie...she always plays with me and teaches me new things!

COME BACK TO VISIT SOON!

For mommy's 1st Mother's Day, daddy and I got up early and walked to the shopping center to get her pastries, coffee, flowers, and See's chocolates. She was REALLY happy....but maybe her favorite part of it all was sleeping in a little. We did all this on Saturday. We went to Berkeley for lunch that day, and this is my mom's new favorite picture of me from when we were there! I love to wear my pink hat!

On Sunday, Mother's Day, we went spent the day in Redwood Valley, at Grandma June's house. Daddy made everyone dinner. Uncle Wayne was there too! He liked playing with me! I love visiting great-grandma June....she is so kind and loving! I'm named after her too!

And last of all, in my news for you...I had my first taste of food last week! Mommy let me suck on a watermelon rind because my gums were hurting, and it was really hot outside. I LOVED IT!!!! I can't wait to have it again someday

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WEll, that's all for now! Thanks for checking in with us! We are excited about the summer and lots of adventures to go on as a family! Love to all our friends and family!!