The joys of CIO (Cry It Out)

CIO is a controversial topic among many mothers. Some think it is unusually cruel and unloving, while others think it goes hand in hand with the development of good sleeping habits. I would have to agree with the latter.

While I have never been one to let Aidan cry for very long, I do think it is important for him to learn to sleep on his own. For about 2 months, he was the best about going down for naps and bed. He would lay right down without more than a tiny tired fuss. Then 4 months happened and sleep regression occurred. Along with that, he got his first ever cold. Somehow, I found myself rocking, singing, shushing, and patting him to sleep. This was new for me. I felt awful about letting him cry because his nose was stuffy and would only get worse with the crying. So, I gave in. His cold got better, I was still singing and rocking. Two days ago, I went back to square one. Put him in his bed and gave him 5 minutes to calm himself. He was out in about 3-5 minutes. Way to go little one. Just three days of this now and his crying is down to 0-2 minutes. I will be honest and say that I don't know what I would do if he cried for much longer. My rule has always been to give him 5 minutes and then if he is still crying, reassure him and give him another 5. I don't think it's ever gone beyond that, but I'm not sure what the next rule would be if I had to have one. I'm just lucky he loves his sleep enough to not fight it too long. Yet, even 5 minutes seems like too long sometimes...and I want to rush in and comfort him. But I know in the end I will be thankful I did this...and he will be too.

A day in the life...

Here is our day today. An unbelievably pleasant one.

5:58: Wake to Seth's alarm going off. Amazed that Aidan did not wake up in the middle of the night like he has been for the past 2 weeks.

6:57: Aidan wakes up. Yeah for him.

7:00 Nurse Aidan.

7:30: Pump, watch the news, let Aidan play on the floor.

7:50: Out the door for our morning walk.

8:20: Inside again and Aidan down for a nap.

8:20-9:00: Shower for me, time with the Lord, laundry started.

9:20: Aidan wakes up from his nap talking.

9:30-10:00: Bottle then cereal and banana for Aidan.

10:00-10:30: Poopy diaper change, bathtime for Aidan, Aidan down for nap.

10:30-11:15: More laundry stuff. Computer time.

11:15: Aidan wakes and fusses, but goes back to sleep.

11:15-1:00: Finish getting ready for the day, eat lunch, pump, make grocery list and menu plan, read Mere Christianity.

1:00: Aidan wakes up and drinks a bottle.

1:45: Out the door to go to Wal-mart.

2:45: Back home from the store, Aidan down for a nap.

2:45-3:45: Laundry, pump, get ready for work, eat a snack, leave for work.

The rest of the day will look something like this...

4:00-5:30: Work

5:45: Come home, leave for Seth's parent's house.

6:00-8:00: Time with Seth's family.

8:00: Aidan down for the night.....Time to relax before bedtime.

A wonderful day.

20 weeks

Aidan is doing new things every day it seems! He talks, talks, and talks all the time. He wakes up from most of his naps happy and chatty now. He is learning to hold his bottle and grab his feet. He loves taking showers and squeals in delight when we go in the bathroom and take his diaper off. He knows that his room is where he sleeps and will promptly lay his head down on my shoulder and stick his thumb in his mouth when we go up for his nap. He is much happier during the day and has learned to actually enjoy riding in the car. He has not screamed to get in his seat or during a car ride in almost 2 weeks. That is a huge improvement! He likes to listen to Sara Groves and doesn't like when I talk loud over the music. He loves remote controls, cell phones, and cameras (basically anything electronic). He weighed in at 15 pounds, 3 ounces and was 24 1/4 inches long at his 4 month appt. He is a short chubby thing.

Here is Aidan eating his first rice cereal yesterday afternoon. He had a look of disgust first and then he happily ate whatever I offered. He was most interested in the spoon and kept trying to grab it from me. He is too cute sometimes!

4 months

Aidan is 4 months old today. How time flies!

I think life with a baby is much easier now than at first. Those first 3 months were just plain hard. We seem to have adjusted to each other and I am so blessed to spend all my days with the little guy.

I  have my first client for work tonight. I am a little nervous, but excited for new beginnings.

This weekend was nice and relaxing. Seth and I got to spend some "us" time together at my parent's pool while Aidan napped. We also had a nice evening last night with Seth's family. We all went to the pool and Aidan got to "swim" for the 2nd time now. He's so stinkin cute. Seth and I watched part of the movie "Bandits" when we got home. It was nice to just relax. I am so grateful for my husband and for my little boy. They make my life so full.

I am trying to be more organized with my life at home. I am designating each day with some task that needs to be done. I am tried this almost every week, but seem to fail at it and then get behind. I am determined to make it work this time. Today is laundry day. I am going to wash, dry, and fold all laundry. It is also "pickup" day. Since our place seems to get cluttered from the weekend, Monday is always a good day to get things orderly again. So far I've been successful, but we'll see what happens when I get to bathroom day. :)

Here's a happy pic for today!

Random

1. Today Aidan is 17 weeks. Hard for me to believe.

2. I like homemade granola. That is why I made some today.

3. I scared the living daylights out of my child by turning on the vacuum cleaner.

4. I am a stay at home mom and wife, but I have a part-time job in the evenings. I feel like life is busy.

5. I love to hear my husband sing, especially when he is worshipping God.

6. I need a tan.

7. Aidan pooped on me today.

8. I love knowing that my son is being nourished by my milk.

9. I am a craigslist junkie and proud of it!

10. I love to play card games.

11. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time to sophomore year at JBU. Good memories.

12. I wish God was easier to hear...or that I would be better at listening. Probably the latter.

13. I need to clean the bathrooms, but I really don't want to.

14. I want to go to the zoo instead.

15. Aidan's big blue eyes and sweet smile make my heart melt.

16. I love cuddling with my son.

17. I love how Aidan sucks his thumb when he sleeps.

18. I wish I knew where I will be in 6 months.

19. I sometimes feel lonely.

20. I need to stop thinking random thoughts.