So, it's been about a week since we decided in earnest to night wean Sprout.
This has been a long time coming. I know I've written many times about our difficulties with Sprout and (lack of) sleep. Whenever it's gotten really bad we've been able to turn things around so that they're good enough to be acceptable.
Well, the other week, when she started waking at 4:30am to nurse and then wanted to be up for the day at 5am we decided it was time to try to do something about it (again).
Jen, wonderful wife and brave soul that she is took on the bulk of the responsibility. We decided that when Sprout woke up at 4:30am to come into our room that she would take her back into the kids' room and put her back to bed, staying beside her in a sleeping bag on the floor to ensure that she stay in her bed.
We prepped Sprout that day, telling her several times before bed that she wouldn't be nursing again until the sun was up. She seemed to understand. She nursed as usual before going to bed. She went down as usual. At 4:30am she woke up and wandered crying "nurse, nurse" into our room. Jen picked her up and took her back into her room. Even with the sound machine on I could hear her crying. It lasted about half an hour, but then she slept until 6:30am. Not so bad.
The next two nights were even better. She still woke up around the same time, but settled back to sleep more quickly and with fewer tears. She slept a little later.
The following night we had a bit of a setback and she woke up around midnight. I was discouraged, but Jen was a trouper and slept on the floor beside her bed for the remainder of the night.
Last night was better again.
And that's pretty of where we are now. We'll see what the next week or two brings. We bought a ridiculously overpriced clock that shows a sun image when the child can get out of bed. We'll see if she buys into it. And we still have to deal with The Bean who was taken to sleeping in a "nest" of blankets beside our bed when Sprout wakes up and disturbs his sleep, or you know, when he wakes up and decides to come over.
Sleeping five or six hours all in a row is pretty awesome. I kinda' miss the cuddles though.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Long Weekend
In Ontario, this weekend is the "Family Day" long weekend. Monday is Family Day which is a civic holiday. As an added bonus, my school gave everyone today off as well. Originally I was going to go in to school this afternoon to work on report cards, which are due Monday, but I'm a little further ahead that I thought I would be (?!) and The Bean is feverish (again) and my sister wanted to take her little guy to the doctor today, so I am actually taking today "off."
As I know I've mentioned, I'm only teaching half time now, but with added work from curriculum I'm working on it's more like 3/4 time. I do miss not having the full mornings with the kids, but I also am really enjoying the curriculum work. It's a lot, and without a lot of direction or feedback, but so far it seems to be going well. There are definitely times I feel a little lost or frustrated, but as things stand now I'm accepted the offer.
Aside from The Bean being in a two week cycle of sickness and Sprout continuing to give us challenges in the sleep department, things with the kids are good.
The Bean is such a kid these days. We registered him for kindergarten this week. Kindergarten! He is SO excited about it and keeps asking when it will be September. I am hopeful that he will love it, but anxious about class sizes and him not getting a ton of attention and stagnating academically or becoming disinterested. There were a bunch of questions they wanted parents to answer on the forms, and aside from writing, he's at least got a good start on all of the academic skills they inquired about. Which brings me to this: He's starting to read! I am beyond excited about this and so proud of him. He's known his letter sounds for a while and just this past week started to blend the sounds to read words. It's a little hit or miss but overall when he's focused and not too excited or distracted he's getting the CVC words. He's pretty proud of himself too and has been asking here and there if he can read me some early readers he got for Christmas.
And Sprout. Well, she's just something else. She is such a goofball. She's still a little chatterbox. Constantly toting around a "baby" (anything and everything is a baby to her -dolls, socks, soap). And these days super into dressing up. For the most part she just goes around and entertains herself, chattering away. She loves being held and read to, but she doesn't demand attention for the most part, just does her own thing. When she does want your attention, she can be a bit relentless about it ("Up Mama. Up. Up. Up.") but since it doesn't happen all the time, it's not as exhausting as it might be otherwise. She is also sweet beyond belief and gives the.best. hugs. Today when The Bean was lounging sick and feverish on the couch she crawled under the blanket beside him to give him snuggles and the two of them giggling together was just too much. I am so glad they have such a close relationship. I hope they keep that as they grow up.
As for Jen and I we have yet to really manage to carve out more "us" time. We did go to a concert last week, but we still need to try to get out on regular dates. No Valentine's Day plans (we never really celebrate it) but maybe we'll be able to go out for dinner in the next week or two. I thought I had someone who was interested/willing to babysit, but when I asked her availability around our anniversary she seemed to be too busy. We'll see what happens the next time I ask. We may have to look for someone else.
I expect the kids will be up from their naps very soon. But yay for tandem naps and actually having some time to post! :)
As I know I've mentioned, I'm only teaching half time now, but with added work from curriculum I'm working on it's more like 3/4 time. I do miss not having the full mornings with the kids, but I also am really enjoying the curriculum work. It's a lot, and without a lot of direction or feedback, but so far it seems to be going well. There are definitely times I feel a little lost or frustrated, but as things stand now I'm accepted the offer.
Aside from The Bean being in a two week cycle of sickness and Sprout continuing to give us challenges in the sleep department, things with the kids are good.
The Bean is such a kid these days. We registered him for kindergarten this week. Kindergarten! He is SO excited about it and keeps asking when it will be September. I am hopeful that he will love it, but anxious about class sizes and him not getting a ton of attention and stagnating academically or becoming disinterested. There were a bunch of questions they wanted parents to answer on the forms, and aside from writing, he's at least got a good start on all of the academic skills they inquired about. Which brings me to this: He's starting to read! I am beyond excited about this and so proud of him. He's known his letter sounds for a while and just this past week started to blend the sounds to read words. It's a little hit or miss but overall when he's focused and not too excited or distracted he's getting the CVC words. He's pretty proud of himself too and has been asking here and there if he can read me some early readers he got for Christmas.
And Sprout. Well, she's just something else. She is such a goofball. She's still a little chatterbox. Constantly toting around a "baby" (anything and everything is a baby to her -dolls, socks, soap). And these days super into dressing up. For the most part she just goes around and entertains herself, chattering away. She loves being held and read to, but she doesn't demand attention for the most part, just does her own thing. When she does want your attention, she can be a bit relentless about it ("Up Mama. Up. Up. Up.") but since it doesn't happen all the time, it's not as exhausting as it might be otherwise. She is also sweet beyond belief and gives the.best. hugs. Today when The Bean was lounging sick and feverish on the couch she crawled under the blanket beside him to give him snuggles and the two of them giggling together was just too much. I am so glad they have such a close relationship. I hope they keep that as they grow up.
As for Jen and I we have yet to really manage to carve out more "us" time. We did go to a concert last week, but we still need to try to get out on regular dates. No Valentine's Day plans (we never really celebrate it) but maybe we'll be able to go out for dinner in the next week or two. I thought I had someone who was interested/willing to babysit, but when I asked her availability around our anniversary she seemed to be too busy. We'll see what happens the next time I ask. We may have to look for someone else.
I expect the kids will be up from their naps very soon. But yay for tandem naps and actually having some time to post! :)
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