sweet slumber

 Sleep by Plumb

1 day old

11 weeks old

Chris and I have not done any sleep training with Elaina. We figured that when she was ready she would sleep longer. We just hit out latest wonder week and after a few fussy, very hungry days she slept 11 hours at night.

I woke more than she did- wondering if this was really happening.

Elaina has been eating 1 time in the night, ususally 2-3a.m. and then around 5-6am. She eats quick and falls back asleep when I lay her down. I have always loved our special, night time. I am a early bird, now with a baby I feel like I am a early bird, night owl and everything in between. I sometimes nap with her in the a.m. and as of late I join her at every nap she takes.

We have co-slept since birth, she has a little co-sleeper that sits next to the bed. This decision was based on my c-section as well as not wanting either of us to wake 100%. I liked knowing E would not have to cry a lot for me to get her and that she could stay more calm in the night, hopefully letting her know that nights are for being calm! We considered transiting her to her crib but with the heat we decided keeping us all in the room with AC was best! Not sure when this will happen- I'm in no rush. How many of us like to sleep alone? I know I sleep horrible when Chris is gone; I always sleep better with him. And I wonder if E will continue sleeping well knowing we're close.

Sleeping on Aunt Jan's knitted pink blanket

Everyday is a new day with E and we're praying God continues to lead us as we choose to follow Him. We know that He as great plans for Elaina; even sleep is something He cares about!

Now I am wondering if I have jinx myself by writing this post :)

A Wonder Week

Wonder Week!

The world of smooth transitions:"At around 11 or 12 weeks, your baby will enter yet another new world as he undergoes the third major developmental leap since his birth. You may recall that one of the significant physical developments that occurred at 8 weeks was your baby's ability to swipe and kick at objects with his arms and legs. These early flailing movements often looked comically puppetlike. At 12 weeks, this jerky action is about to change. Like Pinocchio, your baby is ready to change from a puppet into a real boy. fussiness, lots more eating and cuddles.

Of course, this transformation will not happen overnight, and when it does it will entail more than just physical movement, although that's usually what parents notice most. It will also affect your baby's ability to perceive with his other senses the way things change around him—such as a voice shifting from one register to another, the cat slinking across the floor, and the light in a room becoming dimmer as the sun dips behind the clouds. Your baby's world is becoming a more organized place as he discovers the constant, flowing changes around him."

Elaina has been more fussy, having a harder time going down for bed and needing much more cuddle time. She  is also talking MORE and laughing. This book helped me realize that when a baby goes through developmental changes they may not sleep as well, need more mama time and even use you has a 24 hour slurpee factory. They regress in areas they were just excelling at. We have always fed E on demand and listened to her ques when it comes to sleep, this comes in handy bc every day is different. 

If you are a mama this book is amazing; it gives you great ideas on how encourage the new mental skills babies are learning! It "turns 10 predictable, great fussy phases into magical leaps forward."

Time is flying by so fast. I tell Chris every day, "I am one spoiled lady". I am blessed with the best job (if that's what you want to call it)!!!!

Mama Must-Haves

I know I am only 5 weeks into this whole mother thing but there are a few things I cant live without, or could I?

This book has been amazing, already. Elaina just hit her first "leap" and it was so neat to know how to support her during this time of developmental change and also not go crazy because I couldn't make her happy at times (I'm sure there are many more of those to come!) This book is on sale at Amazon and is great for moms with children under 20 months. Babies go through growth spurts, and developmental "leaps", this book helps you recognize those leaps and how to engage and stimulate your little one during that season.

Because of the c-section this co-sleeper made night feedings much easier the first few weeks. I was not able to get up from a laying down position very easily and this helped make those late, sleepy nights easier. We have also taken this to grandma and nana's house. For the time being its lot easier than a pack-n-play, once she is bigger our traveling load will increase!

Lastly, I know its only 3 items, would be Baby Connect for the iPhone. This app has been good at helping me know when the last feeding was, what side I was on and also tracking all those diapers. Weight gain was really difficult the first 4 weeks and so I was put at ease when I could see she had wet a good amount of diapers. I am sure I would be just fine if I didn't have this application,but it has been a nice piece of technology.