Welcome back.....SLEEP!!!!

For those who said it wouldn't happen on its own. For those who said(people who wrote the books) that I couldn't "let it happen" ....IT DID. WE ARE SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!
Really, it just happened. We do a little crying, but nothing serious, then we're out. From 7:30pm until between 6:30 and 8. It's like a dream come true. I'm not sure what to do in such an alert state. But I am loving it and it is proof that sometimes, they just have to come into these things on their own. Not all babies can be "trained" to sleep. But sleep does come...........I already feel the bags under my eyes fading. Good riddance!

The fussy baby travels.......

Well, we went to Asheville for doula training. The high need howler was an angel in the car. He did very good all weekend and had lots of adventures with dad. He didn't sleep half bad considering we were in a tiny hotel room with a porta crib that he doesn't sleep in very often. It was a great time of bonding for all of us and daddy turned 40 while we were there. We love Asheville and want to retire there. Right now though, charlotte needs doulas!

I'm encouraged that the colicky demeanor really seems to have disappeared. He isn't unusually cranky or sensitive. It's almost like he just grew out of it. He's a mover, for sure though. Not satisfied to sit around in one place too long....much like daddy.

I truly believe as life moves forward in positive directions, so do the high needers. Bless their hearts.....and the hearts of their sleep deprived parents.

Ahhh....adventures continue.....

So it seems that my little baby continues to grow and grow and seemingly becomes happier. Could it be that these colicky babies are just restless? Are they born knowing they are destined to grab and walk and eat Cheerios and they are just living a tortured existence until they can do it? LOL Who knows? I do know that after being home with him all week(my mom was at the beach....no babysitter...no work!) he seems much happier and calm. We did have one difficult night. I felt like I should try to help him go back to sleep on his own so I didn't pick him up, but I stayed with him and rubbed his little head and back. It took him 2 hours to get back to sleep. He didn't cry the whole time, but it was still exhausting. Last night, he woke up and I fed him(it was almost 3:30 and I have to leave for work at 4:30 am) and he went right back to sleep. I would like to think I helped him to do that!



I think the climate of the home is really key to their fussies too. With a graduation and many other changes coming, our home has been somewhat chaotic and sometimes downright tense. Some kids are just radars that respond to the least little tremor.



So we have made a real effort to maintain a peaceful spirit in our home. Of course, when you have a teenager counting down the days until she can move out, this can be difficult. But it really makes J and I become more conscious of the way we interact in our marriage. It's not just about us. Our issues affect everyone, even the baby. There is nothing wrong with having to examine your relationship a little closer and force yourselves to find ways to work through petty.....and not so petty differences. We have to work things out and not hold grudges or walk around with a chip on our shoulder. That isn't easy, but wow is it worth it.



So perhaps the world needs fussy babies in order to unite us???????? I would love to know how many people who have been recognized for their peacemaking and humanitarian efforts might have been colicky babies.



Saving the world.....one howler at a time........ :)