Crying It Out- Night Three

Last night we had company, so we were a bit nervous and uncertain of how he would respond to the commotion, etc when it came time for bed.

Russ brought him upstairs, put him in the crib, two minutes of crying...and silence until 1:30. A small bottle of magic called formula...and ta da...back to sleep after a few minutes of crying.

Aiden woke up on his own at 6:30am!

I am loving it!

Crying It Out- Night Two

AMAZING!

Russ brought Aiden upstairs at 9pm, Aiden put his head down and silence. Russ came downstairs, forgot the monitor, went back upstairs, Aiden saw him, Aiden cried for a few, and then...

SILENCE!

Aiden slept from 9 until 1:30. After some crying, Russ changed his diaper, I fed him a bottle, and about 15 minutes later and a few tears, Aiden was back down to sleep.

He slept quietly until about 5am...he got a bit restless but stayed asleep and quiet until 6:30am!

This really works. I can't wait to see what tonight brings!

PS---Aiden is starting to wave---well, more like toss his arm up and down. It is super cute though! (Of course!)

Crying It Out- Night One

When Aiden was in his ninth month, he started to sleep through the night, so his need for nursing was minimal. We thought that it would be a good time to get him sleeping back in his crib. After a week of letting him cry it out, there was no improvement of his ability to go down or a shorter crying period...instead, the nights just got worse!

Well, here Aiden is at almost a year old---only 15 more days to go (holy cow---he is almost one!), and we decided now is the time. We know he can go through the night without a bottle, and he is pretty much weaned from me. So....last night, was our first night. I stayed out of the process entirely except to be Russ' support. We thought it would be best for me to not be involved because we weren't sure if that would be harder for Aiden to have me going in to comfort him---not sure if that would confuse him or not...since I am typically the "boob." Aiden will only sleep for me if I pacify him...he will sleep on Daddy's shoulder or belly without a bottle or boob. Hence our decision.

Well, after about an hour...he went down. He ended up using a blanket as a pillow---I know, I know...not the safest...

He slept for 8 hours straight! Woo Hoo!

Let's see what tonight brings!

Dear Aiden,

Dear Aiden,

I know you love your daddy just by the way you smile at him and reach your arms out to him. I know you love your daddy by the way you snuggle with him to fall asleep. I know you love your daddy just by the way you giggle with him.

I want you to know that I love your daddy too. Your daddy has been working so hard lately and in so many ways. I love his dedication to you and our family. I love how he smiles from the inside out when he is with you. I love how he doesn't complain when mommy has to work late. I love how he is just so happy to spend time with you no matter the reason.

I also want you to know something...your daddy has been working really hard at losing weight so that he feels better but also so that he can be with you and me for as long as possible. Your daddy has done a great job! I am really proud of him!

I can't wait to see how your love will flourish with him as you get bigger and bigger!

We love you little man!

Love,
Mommy

Sweet Kisses

Aiden has learned how to kiss! It is the sweetest thing! You may not enjoy them but I love them! He doesn't know to close his mouth---he just leans with his mouth wide open! It is so sweet! Aiden is not a cuddler by any means unless you are memere or Daddy. Aiden does not cuddle with me...but he kisses me, and I love it!

We put one of his toys on the coffee table, and if you spin it, it sings a song and lights up. Well, he will stand at the table, spin it, and dances along! It is the cutest thing. We also cleaned out the entertainment center because he was pulling out the dvd's, etc. He know climbs inside and thinks it is so much fun!

We have been trying to capture him in these moments but he turns his head, looks at the camera and smiles. What a ham!

God, I just love this kid! :-)

Some Photos as of Late

Life has been busy...and these photos show you what has been going on...Christmas, teeth cutting and tears! (He has found his voice!) Aiden actually now has four teeth but I haven't been able to get a picture of that (yet).

Someday He Will Kill Me For This Outfit!

I couldn't resist the little hat! It does make him look a bit like a girl but so what- he is cute! This was at our family Christmas party! He had a great time and behaved himself and somehow managed to sleep through some of it too!

His sleep hasn't improved; he is actually more clingy now and more vocal. Remember when I said this child never cried? Well, he has made up for it! We can't put him down; he wants to be near us. I wouldn't mind that he is sleeping with us but he is just so restless and moves and fusses so much, that sleep has been difficult to obtain because of it.

Two nights ago (the night before I left for NY), he was up so often that I think I saw every hour of the night and early am! Last night while I was getting beautiful sleep in the hotel in NY, Russ was up every two hours with him. They say once teeth start coming in, they just keep coming...but we haven't see any new teeth in a while now. He only has his two bottom front teeth. So, maybe his upper teeth are trying to come in??? And he has been a bit stuffy but this can't be the reason for his sleep night after night either. I am tired of trying to figure it out---does that make me horrible?

I had a really cool trip to NY city. Our office party was at The Players Club which was owned by John Booth----James Wilkes Booth's brother. I might have messed up names but the brother who didn't kill the president owned the home. It was incredible; the history was immense! His library was huge and holds the largest amount of playscripts, and we saw his bedroom just the way he left it.

Then---we went to Gramercy Park- the acutal park! We walked through it in the snow. It was great! History lesson- Gramercy Park is one of two private parks in all of NY state. The only peope who have a key (it is a locked park) are the people who have homes with windows facing the park. One of my bosses, is the treasurer of the park. He took us through. I learned that Julia Roberts also lives right across the street from The Players Club.

What a cool place!