On being back to work...

It is not so bad. No tears shed. Does that make me a bad mom? No... At least I don't think it does. I love my lil' bear, but I am glad to be back. And Charlie totally got the "it is time to sleep through the night" memo, because he has been a champ at sleeping lately (knock on wood)...

Things are crazy and I have no time, but I kind of like craziness... I think it is because I am always trying to control it and so perhaps it is a fun challenge rather than burden. Charlie is so happy with who is taking care of him and I am too. Everybody tries (or at least tells me they do) to follow his routine and he is still such a happy boy. I think all the change of scenery is good for him and will make him more adaptable. Anyways... It is time for bed and I am beat!

17 more weeks until summer break... 8 more until spring break... And Wednesday is looking like a snow day... I really could use a cuddle day so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

D-Day

Dooms day is coming in our household...

Monday is a big day...

The time has come where I must return to work...

I think I am going to do better than everyone expects. I love my little guy so much and have so enjoyed our time together, but I am excited to start using my mind for things aside from mom duties. I am also pretty realistic about things...

As shallow as it sounds, I like having extra money. If we managed our money better I probably could stay home, but I like driving a new car and I like our vacations and I know that Charlie will thrive during the day with the people I have asked to take care of him. My sister-in-law is taking him three days a week and my cousin is taking him one day a week. Both are teachers and both have little cuties of their own. One the fifth day, my in-laws are taking him and I know that they'll give him amazing lovin'.

The thing that makes me most nervous is the sleeping deal. He has slept through the night 2 nights in a row, but I am not holding my breath that this will last. It is awesome though... I have worked really hard to get Charlie into a routine and I am so hoping that everybody at least tries to keep in on it. He is like his momma in that he likes to have a plan about things. When we do his routine he is happy when we don't I have a cranky baby. The routine also allows Charlie to visit with his dad in the evening. When he is off, he gets tired sooner which cuts down on the quality time with dad and soon to be me.

Anyway... I'll post about how it all goes next week for any interested parties.

A New Routine...

So my in my last post I was seriously sleep deprived. Since then, we have implemented a new routine. It is the E.A.S.Y routine. Basically, Charlie eats, then does activities, then sleeps so I can have "you" time. This is The Baby Whisperer's' method and it truly makes my days easier. He is a much happier baby on this routine. At night we have made improvements but he still wakes 2-3 times per night so there is work to be done. He is finally sleeping in his crib now for the majority of sleep. I also don't have to nurse him to get him back to sleep (although it is a much easier way of doing so). Another big improvement is that he puts himself to sleep for naps and bed pretty well with only a little down time before. This routine is really working well for our family and it makes being a mommy so much easier. Most importantly, he seems really happier with the changes. He barely ever cries now and I love that he feels so content with us!

Mommyhood...

Mommyhood right now means no sleep. My guy gets up every two hours and though I love to snuggle at all hours in the morning, the time for me to return to work is creeping up quickly and I just can't function with this lack of sleep. We, of course, get all kinds of "great" advice on how to have him sleep through the night, but I am not about to take it. Especially when it involves those dreaded words "cry it out"...

Let's be clear that there is no fucking way I will let my kid cry it out. I have spent the last four months trying to have him cry the least amount possible, so it is counter productive to let him cry until he is in so much distress he finally just passes out...

So what is a tired mommy to do? Lots of Wine? No... Sedation (for either me or him)? No...

So I brought a book and it has many suggestions. One suggestion is to have a schedule/routine... I cherish our freedom to come and go as we please, but the time has come to become fully immersed in this parenthood business... Especially if it means more sleep and no crying it out. So bedtime is now 8:35pm and we have a bedtime routine

In other news... Charlie is four months old!

He eats solids (rice cereal, bananas, and sweet potatoes are his favs), rolls from his belly to back, smiles and giggles. He also hold his head really well so no more bobble head baby for us! I cannot believe how fast he is growing. I want him to stay little forever because I just love cuddling him so much!

Also... We have started trying for number two... Are we crazy? Hell yes we are! But since the first one took 2+ years we figured we better get a jump on it. Eek bad word choice, but then again I am a sleep deprived mommy so please forgive me.

Finally, Happy Holidays! Charlie met Santa and for the big day, we ran between our family's homes on Christmas then went Up North to celebrate Charlie's first Christmas. He got a shit ton of toys and clothes and Santa brought Charlie a highchair for Christmas. It was awesome to finally kind of enjoy the holidays all thanks to Charlie. I am not certain of our New Year's plan, but I know Charlie will be there because I am not leaving him yet. Also, our resolution is to recycle... For the sake of Charlie's future.

Since my kid is crying I must run, but here is the most recent picture of Charlie for your viewing pleasure!

Okay already...

Tonight my child has started on solids!

According to everyone, my child will now...
Sleep through the night,
Stop spitting up,
Won't always cry and look so hungry,
Stop nursing every two hours,
Sleep in his own crib,
and
Solve global warmimng...

Okay, so the last one is mine, but can you tell how much advice I have been getting lately?

Seriously...

People drive me bat shit crazy with all of their input, but anyway he started them and he did really well. It is slightly early, but the pedi gave the okay and Tony is off work this week so we went for it.