Sleep Success!

Last week we were sleep training. After much prayer and then talking to a friend who had just experience the same sleep and feeding issues, I had renewed determination. I had a night that I didn't feel absolutely exhausted so I figured this was the night to start.

Our poor son shares a room with our little night owl. And I was really worried that he wouldn't get any sleep, but he said the next morning he didn't hear anything. Not sure how he couldn't, but happy her crying didn't affect him.

It was hard, and I tried all other options before I let her cry it out. But, it worked. I guess... I am not sure if it was that or things just clicked for her. Saturday, we went away for the weekend and stayed at a hotel, she slept ALL night. From about 10pm to 7am. She slept in a pack 'n play right next to me in the bed. I was shocked and amazed and of course elated! It was a stark contrast to the previous nights we had been having.

Sunday, we had a few hiccups, but minor. She would wake up, I would let her cry for about 30 seconds and would go in and shush her and lay her back down. I had to do that a few times, but she went back to sleep.

Monday to now, she is sleeping all night, even putting herself to sleep if she wakes up! She is even sleeping for up to 11 hours straight!

In addition to sleeping all night, she is taking her naps! I can even put her down without nursing! She is doing so great.

I am so grateful for the sleep-full nights. And I thank the Lord for giving me the perseverance and energy I needed to work with her at night.

My best advice: Don't give up! Pray! I couldn't have done it without relying on God for strength.

11 Months!

Our little Josie is now 11 months old! Hard to believe at the end of the month we will be celebrating her first year!

 Happy to say with the last week we have gained much in sleep and routine. After trying many different ways to get her to sleep and failing I finally resorted to the Cry-It-Out method of sleep training. I have to say my prayers were answered, because after waking up nightly absolutely exhausted, God has granted me new energy to persevere this last week. And it's working! I started with her naps since I was already awake. Then continued with the same methods at night. She has made SO much progress, the night before last, I actually got a six hour block of sleep! {...Happy Dance...}

She is still nursing, but about a month or so ago we introduced the sippy cup. She still doesn't like the taste of milk, but she has been taking drinks of water on her own. One step at a time.

She took her first steps April 28! And a couple nights ago she walked across her bedroom floor! She gets so excited and gets ahead of herself because she tries to run and falls. But she is doing great!

She loves music and loves to dance. At church, during worship songs she tries to sing along. I think she has a musical gene in her.

Oh, yeah, and she doesn't like grass, or trees, or even touching the ground! She is 100% girl! When we stand her on the ground she lifts one foot up as far as she can so she is touching it as minimally as possible. It is so funny to watch her.

Can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings. Our little girl is growing leaps and bounds. It is going way faster than Wyatt's first year that is for sure!

Until then...


Enjoy your day!

She Sleeps

Right now as I type, she sleeps. I have to admit, for me, there is relief. We had another rough night. By far the worst we have had so far. Frustration overwhelms me. Not so much with her, but with me. I have no answers. Nothing I do works. I'm tired.

I have prayed, searched for solutions online, and have asked advice of others. It seems our situation is unique. No one has had the exact same obstacle to overcome. Yes, there are similar problems, but not exactly what we are going through.

I feel guilty. Not that I am not doing enough, but that I let myself get frustrated with the circumstance that is just part of the process. It's not her fault.

I am a fairly good mom, not perfect, but good. Yet, I fail to meet my own expectations. Or at least what I think a good mom should be.

Motherhood is not an exact science. Babies are not born the same. And there isn't always answers. But, what I can do is forgive myself in my shortcomings and trust God to bring me through.

"Those who trust in the LORD will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not get weak."    Isaiah 40:31