Cry it out

This blog entry contains information about the babies that grandparents, aunts and uncles may not be able to handle...read at your own risk...haha

I mentioned a while ago about the lack of sleep that I have been getting lately. Well unfortunately that is still the case and I have to admit that it has taken its toll. Besides the permanent bags under my eyes and the fact that I love sleep, it’s gotten even worse; I simply am no good in the morning and sometimes for the entire day! I am cranky, short and a bit lazy, closing my eyes every second I get and dragging myself out of the house only when absolutely necessary. So we decided something NEEDED to be done...

Ok.... so for about a month now I have undertaken different infant sleeping strategies and techniques trying to give her time to work it out on her own. They have included topping her off at mid-night and even asking my dear husband to sleep in the guest room because I was convinced his snoring was the problem!!

After none of these worked, I half-heartedly attempted letting her "cry it out." I even started sleeping in the living room with her so that while crying it out she would not wake up Alena. This was a complete mess and a failure...I could only stand about 3 min of an occasional yelp before I would decide it was easiest to just go on and pick her up. Not only was I tired and miserable, now I was sore...

Finally last night I decided to put on my head gear and boxing gloves. It was on! Kaitlyn and I would go at it all night if needed. This adorable tiny poopy butt baby was not going to control our nights anymore! Funny how she was not the only one who ended up in tears.

That’s right I let her CRY-IT-OUT and I joined her. We moved her to the living room at about eleven. I gave her a good feed, snuggled a bit, laid her down and went to bed (in the bedroom). As expected at about 3:30 she was up. I checked on her, patted her butt and left. She was MAD! Not even crying just shouting at me. I came back…stepped over Jonathan who had posted himself on the hallway floor as a form of support to help me stay strong…and patted her butt again. She was for lack of a better word, PISSED. I went back to bed. Well not quite. There is nothing like listening to your baby scream and not comforting them. So yes as she cried it out so did I.

After a little bit she was sound asleep and slept peacefully until we woke her at 9:30 this morning.

Often times in life we find ourselves in the middle of miserable, uncomfortable and upsetting situations that we feel we have no control over. The longer we put off addressing them the more miserable, uncomfortable and upset we become. We even let it filter into our mornings, days and before we know we are living a lifestyle which is controlled by our circumstances. We can half-heartedly address these situations but it only gets messier. It’s not until we get serious about a change that things will actually change. Some things require an all night fight and a little support to keep us strong. And no matter what, we need to be determined to “cry-it out!” I promise the tears won't last for long.

ummm now let’s see what happens tonight….