Saturday, February 28, 2009
Play Date with Mason
Today Jaxon and I went over to Kate's house to have a play date with Mason. Mason is one month older than Jaxon. Today they actually played together. Both were sitting (or close to it) and were putting every toy they could find in their mouths. It is so great to have a good friend that has a baby Jaxon's age. It is even nicer that he is one month older because I can always see what is coming up in my very near future with Jaxon by observing Mason. They had a great time and their mommies got to visit, which is something we both miss doing more often. Kate and I have been friends for almost 7 years. It is so great that we are sharing in these life changes together. :)
Jumping for Joy!
We were at Kate's house today for a play date with Mason and Jaxon got to try out Mason's Johnny Jumper. Well of course he just loved it. Here are some pics and a video of him in it.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Two Nights In A Row!!!
For two nights (yes, count 'em 2) in a row Jaxon has slept from 7:30 to 5:30 straight without waking up. Yep that is 10 hours straight. I am amazed. Not sure what happened but all I can figure is that it is that he is eating oatmeal in the morning and a veggie at night. Maybe he is getting enough food in the day that he doesn't need to wake up to eat. Whatever it is...I want it to continue. Hopefully it is a new trend.
Keep your fingers crossed. :)
Keep your fingers crossed. :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wordless Wednesday #13: Sitting!
Look what I can do! I am sitting now unless I want something and I lean forward into a crawl/tummy position.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Peas and Thank You!
We tried Peas last night after the suggestion by our doctor that we try fruits and veggies with Jaxon and they were a HIT! He loved them. Couldn't get enough and wanted to feed himself. AND the pictures from eating colored food are so much cuter than the bland rice cereal pictures.
I went all the way to Woodinville to get the Happy Baby Organic Frozen Food as they were only sold at select TOP Foods and Whole Foods stores. I wish I would have known when I was out there for the doctor appointment earlier in the day. It was so worth it. Just the color and smell was so much fresher than the jarred baby food we had at my baby shower. I even liked the taste of it and I hate peas. It is such a high quality product that it was worth the trip to see him eating it up. It will definitely be a good option for when I don't make his food.
I am so excited to go on this exploration with Jaxon. The whole world of tastes and textures are now open to him (well kind of...slowly over time that is).
I went all the way to Woodinville to get the Happy Baby Organic Frozen Food as they were only sold at select TOP Foods and Whole Foods stores. I wish I would have known when I was out there for the doctor appointment earlier in the day. It was so worth it. Just the color and smell was so much fresher than the jarred baby food we had at my baby shower. I even liked the taste of it and I hate peas. It is such a high quality product that it was worth the trip to see him eating it up. It will definitely be a good option for when I don't make his food.
I am so excited to go on this exploration with Jaxon. The whole world of tastes and textures are now open to him (well kind of...slowly over time that is).
Monday, February 16, 2009
27 Weeks/6 Months Update
I took Jaxon in today for his 6 month well-baby check-up. Everything seems to be going really well and Jaxon is on track in his growth and development. Here are his current stats (I have to say these are approximations because the child moves so much it is hard to get an accurate measurement in any of these categories):
Weight: 17 pounds (25th-50th% Weight for Age)
Height: 25.6 inches/65 cm (25th-50th% Height for Age)
Weight for Length: 75th%
Head Circumference: 17.7 inches/45 cm (75th-90th% for Age)
We discussed many topics. Here is a summary of each:
1. GOING TO SLEEP: Since our last visit a month ago where we discussed his intense protest at being put to sleep at night (screaming and carrying on) things have improved with her recommendation to breastfeed him to sleep. He goes down gently and easily without any trauma. I was against feeding him to sleep but based on his high needs nature he needs something to focus on enough to let go of the stimulation around him and it is a comforting way for him to transition to sleep. Plus I guess breastmilk has sleep inducing stuff in it (kind of like turkey) and anthropologically speaking...babies naturally go to sleep at the breast. So why fight it? Also his nightly bedtime routine seems to help too. Even naps have become less of an event and he is pretty easy to put down with or without breastfeeding (most of the time). Positive feelings about sleep are very important for me to give Jaxon. I just don't think screaming to sleep is the way to go.
2. STAYING ASLEEP: Well I think he does pretty good and so does our doctor. At night he is in bed by 7 or 7:30 and stays asleep most nights until 2 or 3 so that is 7 or 8 hours straight. I feed him and he sleeps again until 7 or 8 in the morning. I am fine with this schedule.
3. BREASTFEEDING/PUMPING ISSUES: Since I rearranged my schedule at work I feel much less rushed and stretched for time at work. I feel like I can continue breastfeeding for as long as I want to. I think my new goal (since I met my 6 month goal) is to go until 9 months and reevaluate. Breastfeeding while introducing solids is supposed to be beneficial in terms of preventing food allergies and ensuring that Jaxon gets the proper nutrients.
4. INTRODUCING SOLIDS: I told her we began rice cereal. She was fine with introducing solids to Jaxon since he can pretty much sit up on his own and seems interested in food. She said to skip rice cereal since it has no nutritional value and move straight into fruits and veggies. She recommended fresh or frozen food over canned or shelf baby food which is what I was thinking anyway. Also she said she preferred glass jars over plastic containers. She said start small and work up the volume. So tonight we will be getting some squash to try I think. :)
5. HEAD SHAPE: His head shape continues to be a concern. Since I went back to work in December Jaxon and I stopped going to the chiropractor. He still needs therapy for his slight case of Torticollis. His is not very extreme but is still noticeable to the doctor. We will need to take him either to the chiropractor again or to physical therapy. She believes that it is caused from his position in the womb and/or from getting stuck during labor. He just needs that neck muscle to be stretched so that he can align his neck better and thus even out the growth of his head.
6. DEVELOPMENT: He continues to impress her with his energy and strength. He wants to stand all the time and is attempting to crawl. We need to baby proof "very soon" she said since he is propping up his chest with his arms and scooting backwards and sideways. He is very social and happy. No concerns with any of his intellectual, social, or physical milestones.
7. BABYWEARING: I asked about options besides the Baby Bjorn for wearing Jaxon front facing as he is getting very heavy and it is starting to hurt my back. She recommended the ERGO baby carrier. I will look into getting one as soon as I can afford it. Apparently the Baby Bjorn is not good for their hip joint development or mommy's back/spine. Didn't know that. I guess this thing holds them in a different way and allows you to wear them until they are older.
9. VACCINES: We also gave him his final DTaP vaccine. We discussed future vaccines a little. We will go ahead with Polio but need to look into MMR (probably will give but separately) and Chicken Pox (probably not) further. He will not be getting the Flu shot.
10. RASHES: Jaxon's eczema has gone away since I eliminated dairy from my diet. He has no rashes on his body currently which is a huge change from a month ago. :)
Our next well-baby is not until 9 months (though we go in next month for another vaccine appointment). We are now on the 3 month schedule. My how time flies. My baby boy is getting so big!
Weight: 17 pounds (25th-50th% Weight for Age)
Height: 25.6 inches/65 cm (25th-50th% Height for Age)
Weight for Length: 75th%
Head Circumference: 17.7 inches/45 cm (75th-90th% for Age)
We discussed many topics. Here is a summary of each:
1. GOING TO SLEEP: Since our last visit a month ago where we discussed his intense protest at being put to sleep at night (screaming and carrying on) things have improved with her recommendation to breastfeed him to sleep. He goes down gently and easily without any trauma. I was against feeding him to sleep but based on his high needs nature he needs something to focus on enough to let go of the stimulation around him and it is a comforting way for him to transition to sleep. Plus I guess breastmilk has sleep inducing stuff in it (kind of like turkey) and anthropologically speaking...babies naturally go to sleep at the breast. So why fight it? Also his nightly bedtime routine seems to help too. Even naps have become less of an event and he is pretty easy to put down with or without breastfeeding (most of the time). Positive feelings about sleep are very important for me to give Jaxon. I just don't think screaming to sleep is the way to go.
2. STAYING ASLEEP: Well I think he does pretty good and so does our doctor. At night he is in bed by 7 or 7:30 and stays asleep most nights until 2 or 3 so that is 7 or 8 hours straight. I feed him and he sleeps again until 7 or 8 in the morning. I am fine with this schedule.
3. BREASTFEEDING/PUMPING ISSUES: Since I rearranged my schedule at work I feel much less rushed and stretched for time at work. I feel like I can continue breastfeeding for as long as I want to. I think my new goal (since I met my 6 month goal) is to go until 9 months and reevaluate. Breastfeeding while introducing solids is supposed to be beneficial in terms of preventing food allergies and ensuring that Jaxon gets the proper nutrients.
4. INTRODUCING SOLIDS: I told her we began rice cereal. She was fine with introducing solids to Jaxon since he can pretty much sit up on his own and seems interested in food. She said to skip rice cereal since it has no nutritional value and move straight into fruits and veggies. She recommended fresh or frozen food over canned or shelf baby food which is what I was thinking anyway. Also she said she preferred glass jars over plastic containers. She said start small and work up the volume. So tonight we will be getting some squash to try I think. :)
5. HEAD SHAPE: His head shape continues to be a concern. Since I went back to work in December Jaxon and I stopped going to the chiropractor. He still needs therapy for his slight case of Torticollis. His is not very extreme but is still noticeable to the doctor. We will need to take him either to the chiropractor again or to physical therapy. She believes that it is caused from his position in the womb and/or from getting stuck during labor. He just needs that neck muscle to be stretched so that he can align his neck better and thus even out the growth of his head.
6. DEVELOPMENT: He continues to impress her with his energy and strength. He wants to stand all the time and is attempting to crawl. We need to baby proof "very soon" she said since he is propping up his chest with his arms and scooting backwards and sideways. He is very social and happy. No concerns with any of his intellectual, social, or physical milestones.
7. BABYWEARING: I asked about options besides the Baby Bjorn for wearing Jaxon front facing as he is getting very heavy and it is starting to hurt my back. She recommended the ERGO baby carrier. I will look into getting one as soon as I can afford it. Apparently the Baby Bjorn is not good for their hip joint development or mommy's back/spine. Didn't know that. I guess this thing holds them in a different way and allows you to wear them until they are older.
9. VACCINES: We also gave him his final DTaP vaccine. We discussed future vaccines a little. We will go ahead with Polio but need to look into MMR (probably will give but separately) and Chicken Pox (probably not) further. He will not be getting the Flu shot.
10. RASHES: Jaxon's eczema has gone away since I eliminated dairy from my diet. He has no rashes on his body currently which is a huge change from a month ago. :)
Our next well-baby is not until 9 months (though we go in next month for another vaccine appointment). We are now on the 3 month schedule. My how time flies. My baby boy is getting so big!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Jaxon's First Supper
Jaxon turned 6 months on Wednesday and we had been waiting for him to turn that age to begin feeding him solids. So on Thursday we began the introduction of solids with HappyBellies organic rice cereal. Needless to say it went as expected with a majority of it on his face, the bib, and the high chair but he did seem to enjoy it. We took a video and I hope to post it soon as it is priceless. At one point I think he said "ICK" in a drawn out and long way. It made Drew and I laugh so hard. You have to remember that breastmilk is very sweet and the rice cereal, though mixed with the breastmilk, isn't. It actually smells and tastes like rice cakes in its dry form. We have added it to our evening routine before bed. So now he eats cereal, takes a much needed bath (due to the food), and then gets a baby lotion massage before getting into his pajamas. I can't say I have seen a difference yet in his sleeping nor have I seen any rashes or reactions to it but we did try to get a brand that is free of all allergic potentials and has probiotic added to it. I will use the HappyBaby brand for whatever I do not make myself as it seems to be in line with my diet preferences for Jaxon. I am going to attempt to make most of his food but I know that this may not happen all the time so this will be my back up plan.
Anyway...here are some pictures of his first time with cereal.
Anyway...here are some pictures of his first time with cereal.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Big Boy Bath
We moved Jaxon from the infant tub that we used in the kitchen sink to a new infant blow-up duck tub that goes in the big bath tub. It is supposed to help him transition to the size of the regular bath tub and we (and the kitchen floors and counters) get splashed less. Jax just loves it! He lounges in it. It is so cute! He is such a water baby. Oh and it quacks when you squeeze the beak. Too funny!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
6 Months Already!!!
Oh my goodness. How time does fly! My little baby boy is 6 months old today. What an amazing 6 months it has been. He has brought so much joy to our life and taught us so many things already. He is such a sweet and happy baby, constantly smiling and laughing. He knows what he wants and is not shy about expressing his desires, especially when it comes to eating. Anyone who has seen him attack me when he is hungry knows what I am talking about. He is persistent, active, and a complete and utter ham. He finds humor in the most everyday things such as sneezes, coughs, and head turns. He chews on everything and always loves to be standing. He hates socks and tries with all his power to keep them off or get them off once they are on. He loves bath time and reading books so you would think he would love bedtime but he hates going to sleep. He has been 100% breastfed the entire 6 months. He has not had one ounce of formula or baby food. He has gone from 6 lbs 10 oz at birth to what we believe to be at least 17 lbs currently all on mommy's milk. This I find to be an amazing feat considering the kid never stops moving thus I can't imagine how he is gaining weight except for the large volume of milk he must be consuming. He does not sleep through the night but does go 7 hour stretches and sleeps a total of 12 hours in the night. He loves to be out and about in the Baby Bjorn. He is a flirt and will flash anyone a smile who pays him enough attention. He appears to be allergic to dairy since his eczema has gone away since I eliminated it from my diet. He currently wears 9 month clothes but it won't be long until he outgrows the length of them and moves into 12 months. He loves Yoda, our pug, though Yoda is still deciding about him. I think he has had a good life so far and has given Drew and I much to be thankful about. I can't imagine loving anything more than Jaxon. He is such a gift and I am so thankful that I am his mommy.
Happy 6 months Jaxon!
Here are some current pics of him to mark the occasion.
Happy 6 months Jaxon!
Here are some current pics of him to mark the occasion.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
My "High Needs" Little Man
"In some ways all babies are high need babies, and most babies have high needs in at least one area of their life. Some have more high need areas than others. The neediness of the baby is often in the mind of the parent. Some experienced parents of children have widened their expectations of what babies are "normally" like, and they adapt more easily to a baby with high needs."
Jaxon is quickly approaching 6 months (4 days and counting) and is getting more demanding and active than ever. He constantly wants to be standing and chewing on something. It is very tiring for whoever is watching him. He is rolling and loves to try it out most when you are trying to change his diaper or his clothes. He is HIGHLY interested in adult food and adult cups, constantly lunging for them or protesting loudly if he is not close enough to grab at it (a sign that we may soon start him on cereal). Anyone who holds him for 5 minutes is quick to say that he is a "wiggle worm" and flashes me a "you must be so tired" look. He has always been super active and very curious but this is bordering on exhausting. At our last doctors appointment she labeled him a high needs baby due to his perpetual motion and constant demands on us during our visits. I didn't exactly know what she meant but I got the gist of it.
Well last night I was reading on the Dr. Sears website about breastfeeding, as I have decided to continue doing it for a few more months now that I have met my original 6 month goal. While I was on the site I saw a link labeled High Needs Baby and clicked on it. My doctor was actually referring to this when she labeled Jaxon. I found Jax's doctor on the Dr. Sears website so it is not surprising to me that she would quote him but she could have at least told me about the link or the book. When I read through all the features of a High Needs Baby I instantly knew this was Jaxon.
1. Intense: Ummm...YES!
2. Hyperactive: Since Day 1! If he could run, swim, fly, etc...he WOULD!
3. Draining: What did you say? Sorry I was nodding off.
4. Feeds Frequently: The kid must have the highest metabolism ever because he eats and eats and is still skinny.
5. Demanding: Jaxon has mastered the art of the grunt and lunge. You have no question or doubt about what he wants or needs.
6. Awakens Frequently: The kid HATES sleeping I swear. He is as active in sleep as he is awake.
7. Unsatisfied: This is new. It seems like right now nothing makes him happy for longer than 10 minutes.
8. Unpredictable: He figures out or tricks quickly so they don't work for very long especially in the area of getting him to sleep.
9. Super-Sensitive: Yep!
10: Can't put baby down: He never cries or grunts if you hold him or wear him constantly. He is happy as a clam. Grrr....
11. Not a self soother: He didn't fall for the swing, the pacifier, the stroller, etc. If it ain't human than it is dead to Jaxon and he will have nothing to do with it.
12. Separation Sensitive: This also is new. I use to be able to had him to anyone...now I have to be in his line of sight with strangers. He is still super friendly/flirty though.
If you read the whole article it explains everything better than I can. It is my son to a T though. Now I know what she meant. I love him to death and I do love his little strong personality but phew...it can be exhausting at times. I used to think we were doing something wrong. He was not like other babies we know. He could never be scheduled for food which I was ok with because I believe in on demand feeding but it could never happen with him even if I wanted it to. He would be crying all the time. Getting him to sleep and staying asleep have been an issue from day one, though he does go 6-8 hours consistently most nights on the first stretch (which puts him waking up at 2 or 3 if we put him down at 7 or 8) which I think is pretty good. If I feed him then he sleep another 4 hour or so till 6 or 7. But the daytime is rough. Naps are about 30-45 minutes long every 3 hours. He is not a baby that we can just put in his crib at night and walk out of the room and go back in 10-12 hours later (I hear that baby exists). So I think Jaxon has some quarks but he is the most charming and sweet baby. He lights up a room with his laugh and smile. He is generally a happy baby. I think that has a lot to do with our style of parenting. We use a lot of the Sears methods and I think that works with a baby like Jax. He needs lots of touch, comfort, and attention. He would not respond well to training methods in the areas of sleep and feeding and that is ok. The biggest thing I have done lately is I have widened my expectations of what a "normal" baby is and have stopped comparing him to other babies. I also will continue to go with the Sears' methods for raising him as all other training methods seem to go against his nature and ours. It may work for others and that is great for them but I don't think it is for our family.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Often these types of babies become very dynamic and interesting young children. I think I teach a few of them. It is all in how you nurture your child's unique qualities for the better. I want to encourage his curiosity and love of people. I want him to know that I appreciate him for who he is and love him so much!
After all of this writing I just want to add that I just love this time in my life. I have never loved anything more than being Jax's mommy. Yes, it is tiring at times. Yes, I question myself and my decisions for him. But in the end I love it all...especially those times in the middle of the night where it is me and him rocking and cuddling, he is asleep in my arms breathing ever so softly as we catch up on the bonding we missed from the day while I was at work and I look at him and my heart feels like it is going to burst from all the love I feel for him. That is what truly counts. All the other stuff just seems to fade away into the darkness. :)
Jaxon is quickly approaching 6 months (4 days and counting) and is getting more demanding and active than ever. He constantly wants to be standing and chewing on something. It is very tiring for whoever is watching him. He is rolling and loves to try it out most when you are trying to change his diaper or his clothes. He is HIGHLY interested in adult food and adult cups, constantly lunging for them or protesting loudly if he is not close enough to grab at it (a sign that we may soon start him on cereal). Anyone who holds him for 5 minutes is quick to say that he is a "wiggle worm" and flashes me a "you must be so tired" look. He has always been super active and very curious but this is bordering on exhausting. At our last doctors appointment she labeled him a high needs baby due to his perpetual motion and constant demands on us during our visits. I didn't exactly know what she meant but I got the gist of it.
Well last night I was reading on the Dr. Sears website about breastfeeding, as I have decided to continue doing it for a few more months now that I have met my original 6 month goal. While I was on the site I saw a link labeled High Needs Baby and clicked on it. My doctor was actually referring to this when she labeled Jaxon. I found Jax's doctor on the Dr. Sears website so it is not surprising to me that she would quote him but she could have at least told me about the link or the book. When I read through all the features of a High Needs Baby I instantly knew this was Jaxon.
1. Intense: Ummm...YES!
2. Hyperactive: Since Day 1! If he could run, swim, fly, etc...he WOULD!
3. Draining: What did you say? Sorry I was nodding off.
4. Feeds Frequently: The kid must have the highest metabolism ever because he eats and eats and is still skinny.
5. Demanding: Jaxon has mastered the art of the grunt and lunge. You have no question or doubt about what he wants or needs.
6. Awakens Frequently: The kid HATES sleeping I swear. He is as active in sleep as he is awake.
7. Unsatisfied: This is new. It seems like right now nothing makes him happy for longer than 10 minutes.
8. Unpredictable: He figures out or tricks quickly so they don't work for very long especially in the area of getting him to sleep.
9. Super-Sensitive: Yep!
10: Can't put baby down: He never cries or grunts if you hold him or wear him constantly. He is happy as a clam. Grrr....
11. Not a self soother: He didn't fall for the swing, the pacifier, the stroller, etc. If it ain't human than it is dead to Jaxon and he will have nothing to do with it.
12. Separation Sensitive: This also is new. I use to be able to had him to anyone...now I have to be in his line of sight with strangers. He is still super friendly/flirty though.
If you read the whole article it explains everything better than I can. It is my son to a T though. Now I know what she meant. I love him to death and I do love his little strong personality but phew...it can be exhausting at times. I used to think we were doing something wrong. He was not like other babies we know. He could never be scheduled for food which I was ok with because I believe in on demand feeding but it could never happen with him even if I wanted it to. He would be crying all the time. Getting him to sleep and staying asleep have been an issue from day one, though he does go 6-8 hours consistently most nights on the first stretch (which puts him waking up at 2 or 3 if we put him down at 7 or 8) which I think is pretty good. If I feed him then he sleep another 4 hour or so till 6 or 7. But the daytime is rough. Naps are about 30-45 minutes long every 3 hours. He is not a baby that we can just put in his crib at night and walk out of the room and go back in 10-12 hours later (I hear that baby exists). So I think Jaxon has some quarks but he is the most charming and sweet baby. He lights up a room with his laugh and smile. He is generally a happy baby. I think that has a lot to do with our style of parenting. We use a lot of the Sears methods and I think that works with a baby like Jax. He needs lots of touch, comfort, and attention. He would not respond well to training methods in the areas of sleep and feeding and that is ok. The biggest thing I have done lately is I have widened my expectations of what a "normal" baby is and have stopped comparing him to other babies. I also will continue to go with the Sears' methods for raising him as all other training methods seem to go against his nature and ours. It may work for others and that is great for them but I don't think it is for our family.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Often these types of babies become very dynamic and interesting young children. I think I teach a few of them. It is all in how you nurture your child's unique qualities for the better. I want to encourage his curiosity and love of people. I want him to know that I appreciate him for who he is and love him so much!
After all of this writing I just want to add that I just love this time in my life. I have never loved anything more than being Jax's mommy. Yes, it is tiring at times. Yes, I question myself and my decisions for him. But in the end I love it all...especially those times in the middle of the night where it is me and him rocking and cuddling, he is asleep in my arms breathing ever so softly as we catch up on the bonding we missed from the day while I was at work and I look at him and my heart feels like it is going to burst from all the love I feel for him. That is what truly counts. All the other stuff just seems to fade away into the darkness. :)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
To Cry or Not to Cry? That is the Question.
There comes a point in most parents' lives when the nightly grind of a small infant starts to wear on them. They miss the sleep they had in their pre-baby lives. Trust me I know. I am there about 2-3 times a week. Nights where I have to get up to feed Jaxon and go to work early the next morning. I have been struggling with it lately, as I know many of my real life and online mommy friends have been to. I think my struggles mainly have to do with me going back to work and not necessarily with Jaxon waking up once at night. I know that is what babies do. I am just so tired some days though.
And so then what are we to do? Most of the time the next step is to try Cry It Out. I have been contemplating this as an option for Jax and every time I think about it I just can't picture doing it. So I start to look into it again. I do what I do and I read about it. Drew and I are strong believers in Attachment Parenting, though we don't practice it to the letter, we do believe strongly in the philosophy of listening to your instincts and of believing that babies aren't manipulative just babies AND BABIES ARE DEPENDENT ON THEIR PARENTS.
The other part of it is teaching them to sleep. The other day while looking into this topic I read this quote:
"Popular Belief: If you don't let them cry it out then they will have a difficult time learning how to put themselves to sleep.
A child of that age has not the capacity to feed himself, change himself or take care of any of his own physical needs, why on Earth should he be expected to be able to comfort himself?"
I just thought it made so much sense. Why are we in such a rush to make our small babies act like adults? They aren't adults. They are babies. I don't expect him to feed himself or use the toilet. Why should I expect him to sleep as long as I do? Scratch that...longer than I do.
So if we have been practicing this style of parenting with Jaxon for 6 months and it seems to be working with his high needs nature then why would we change it up on him all of a sudden and ask him to cry it out? I just don't think we have it in us to go through with it. I brought it up to Drew and he thought it was the worst idea ever. So NOT us and so NOT our baby. That is why I love my husband. He is the perfect partner in parenting for me. We are just on the same wave-length without even trying. I don't even think Drew knows that he is practicing Attachment Parenting because he just does it naturally.
Anyway...back to my thinking. I went back to the Dr. Sears website and read up on their thoughts on Cry It Out. It was great for me to do. I need that sometimes. A reminder in my parenting philosophy. To remember what I signed up for when I decided to have a baby. I need to trust myself. Follow my instincts. If I can't picture going through with it then how am I actually going to do it? I know Drew won't be able to.
So what now? So many times I try to fit some mold that is not me. I do things the way I think is best and then I question myself because I don't know of anyone else doing it that way. This has never been more true than in parenting. I have decided once again to change my expectations of what my son is "supposed" to do. He is baby. He sleeps 7-8 hours straight most nights (+ 4 more after eating) which is longer than I sleep at night. He is only a baby for such a short time and soon I won't get to hold him while he sleeps in my arms. I won't get to breastfeed him. I won't get all this time back that is really just a blip in the course of his life and mine. So I have decided to enjoy my times with him at night. To consider it bonding time where I get to cuddle my baby and bring him comfort when he is upset. I know it is not the "way" that most go about it as there is this huge pressure to have a baby who sleeps through the night but I just don't think forcing it to happen is the way we will get it to happen in our family. We will just have to be patient and help Jaxon enjoy sleeping then work on the length. I just think it is what is best for our family and our son.
So that was my thinking out loud (or in a blog) about our decision not to use Cry It Out and why. Mostly it just isn't us and I just don't think it will work on Jaxon anyway. More power to those parents who it does work for. To each his own. :)
And so then what are we to do? Most of the time the next step is to try Cry It Out. I have been contemplating this as an option for Jax and every time I think about it I just can't picture doing it. So I start to look into it again. I do what I do and I read about it. Drew and I are strong believers in Attachment Parenting, though we don't practice it to the letter, we do believe strongly in the philosophy of listening to your instincts and of believing that babies aren't manipulative just babies AND BABIES ARE DEPENDENT ON THEIR PARENTS.
The other part of it is teaching them to sleep. The other day while looking into this topic I read this quote:
"Popular Belief: If you don't let them cry it out then they will have a difficult time learning how to put themselves to sleep.
A child of that age has not the capacity to feed himself, change himself or take care of any of his own physical needs, why on Earth should he be expected to be able to comfort himself?"
I just thought it made so much sense. Why are we in such a rush to make our small babies act like adults? They aren't adults. They are babies. I don't expect him to feed himself or use the toilet. Why should I expect him to sleep as long as I do? Scratch that...longer than I do.
So if we have been practicing this style of parenting with Jaxon for 6 months and it seems to be working with his high needs nature then why would we change it up on him all of a sudden and ask him to cry it out? I just don't think we have it in us to go through with it. I brought it up to Drew and he thought it was the worst idea ever. So NOT us and so NOT our baby. That is why I love my husband. He is the perfect partner in parenting for me. We are just on the same wave-length without even trying. I don't even think Drew knows that he is practicing Attachment Parenting because he just does it naturally.
Anyway...back to my thinking. I went back to the Dr. Sears website and read up on their thoughts on Cry It Out. It was great for me to do. I need that sometimes. A reminder in my parenting philosophy. To remember what I signed up for when I decided to have a baby. I need to trust myself. Follow my instincts. If I can't picture going through with it then how am I actually going to do it? I know Drew won't be able to.
So what now? So many times I try to fit some mold that is not me. I do things the way I think is best and then I question myself because I don't know of anyone else doing it that way. This has never been more true than in parenting. I have decided once again to change my expectations of what my son is "supposed" to do. He is baby. He sleeps 7-8 hours straight most nights (+ 4 more after eating) which is longer than I sleep at night. He is only a baby for such a short time and soon I won't get to hold him while he sleeps in my arms. I won't get to breastfeed him. I won't get all this time back that is really just a blip in the course of his life and mine. So I have decided to enjoy my times with him at night. To consider it bonding time where I get to cuddle my baby and bring him comfort when he is upset. I know it is not the "way" that most go about it as there is this huge pressure to have a baby who sleeps through the night but I just don't think forcing it to happen is the way we will get it to happen in our family. We will just have to be patient and help Jaxon enjoy sleeping then work on the length. I just think it is what is best for our family and our son.
So that was my thinking out loud (or in a blog) about our decision not to use Cry It Out and why. Mostly it just isn't us and I just don't think it will work on Jaxon anyway. More power to those parents who it does work for. To each his own. :)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wordless Wednesday #12: My Buddy Mason
Ok...not so wordless but still cute. On Saturday Jaxon and I went to Kate's house for our first mommy group. Jax and Mason actually interacted with one another and were aware each other existed. That is new. They were so cute!
Mmmm...I wonder how my buddy tastes?
Mmmm...I wonder how the blanket tastes (so does Mason)?
More pictures?
Hmmm...who just woke up from their nap and who needs a nap?
Are we done yet? I'm tired!
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