So first of all can we say SLACKER!!! I have been on an unplanned blog break, but have managed to accomplish many things around the house. Pictures later. My mother so kindly pointed out that I needed to do a blog post by harassing me via Facebook.
Speaking of my Madre', she saved my life a week or so ago. I (yet again) called my mother on my way to work. We pretty much talk at least twice a day, ha, and I think she could sense a pattern. This pattern entailed a whiny, sleep deprived first time mom complaining about everything in sight!
During this particular conversation I broke down! I think I probably cried the whole way to work; "my child won't sleep", "he is staying up for 3 hours at a time", "why has his schedule changed?", etc... It was at that moment that mom told me what I had to do. "JP, you are going to have to let the child scream!" She said "this is going to hurt like hell, but if you ever want to sleep again, you are going to have to develop a schedule." Before I walked my puffy eyed self into work she ended the conversation by saying "I love you, call me if you need me."
That night we started our new schedule:
5:30pm - dinner
6:30pm - bath time with lavender soap
7:00pm - play time with daddy and a book with mommy
7:30pm - 8oz. bottle
8:00pm - bed time.....ugggh here we go!
CR and I put together a CR2 bedtime play list on the Ipod, placed CR2 in the crib with his favorite stuffed animals, turned on the night light and humidifier and walked out of the room.
The sound of the first cry made my heart sink into my chest! I felt like the worst mother in the world. Per my mom's instructions I was to turn up the TV, turn down the monitor, and give him 15 minutes. Man, when that 15 minute mark hit I bolted up the stairs. I heard my mothers advice in the back of my mind "crying will not kill a baby!" I gently place the pacy back in CR2's mouth, covered him with his blanket and left the room. Downstairs CR questioned my method. "This is crazy! Don't you think we should bring him downstairs?"
Just then Mama K called (CR's mom). She assured me that I would be fine, and let me know I could call if I needed her. 15 minutes later I marched back up the stairs to re-adjust my child. When I came back downstairs I couldn't help but cry, and I picked up the phone to call the master mind behind he operation. Mom reassured me that everything would be fine, and that it may not work the first time. At around 10 minutes into our conversation I heard silence! He had fallen asleep; it may have taken 40 minutes, but he had fallen asleep! He awoke around 2am. I went in the room, restarted his music, gave him his pacy and walked back out. He fell right to sleep.
The next night we started our routine again, and at bedtime CR2 only cried for 10 minutes! The plan was working, and it continues to work. I feel like I have regained my sanity...I am sleeping again!
Mom - Thank you for your support! It means the world to me :)
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