Sleep Diary - Night 2

The nurse told me when she handed me the "Bible" that the first night was the worst and the first few nights would be rough.  Well...she was right in one respect and wrong in another.  The first night was actually better than the second, but both nights have absolutely sucked!  Last night, Ryne cried for 45 minutes before he finally fell asleep!  I mean seriously, I don't even have the energy for that!  After he cried that long I figured that maybe he would sleep through the night just from sheer exhaustion.  Wrong!  He woke up sometime around 3 AM and cried until 5:02!  Two hours of almost non-stop, inconsolable crying!  I let him cry a bit then got him out to hold him to calm him down, which didn't work.  I later offered a bottle, which he wouldn't take.  His cry progressed from scared to pissed!  He didn't want to be in his crib and he didn't want to be asleep.  He wanted me, but he didn't want me to do anything that might cause him to fall asleep again.  Oh how I wish I had a dumb baby sometimes, who wouldn't pick up on my plot!  I honestly believe Ryne is nothing shy of genius!  

After about an hour and a half of Ryne crying, I literally sat in the floor and silently cried and prayed.  Mom even came upstairs to check on things, but I shooed her away because I was so worried that it would rile him up even more.  Adam's parents offered to keep Ryne tonight so we could get some sleep, but I felt like it would be a setback.  Another bed, that he's hardly slept in, with another person trying to put him to sleep seemed like a recipe for disaster!  I would rather press on in hopes of breaking these bad habits as soon as possible!

I've learned a few things just in the past few nights.  The literature suggests routine, everyone does, but a routine is actually working against me.  Ryne knows the routine and knows the intended outcome, so know the fight starts earlier in the routine than it used to be.  So much for trying to give this child a bottle or read a book!  Last night he started clawing my face and kicking the book.  He is not an aggressive child, but this was a little more aggressive than I would like.  He will not take to a transitional object.  Poor Tad, he must be feeling quite lonely and abused since he gets thrown into the floor frequently!

I've also learned that going in to check on Ryne and rub his back to calm him down, does NOT calm him down.  It only makes matters worse.  If things don't improve I am going to call the nurse Monday to see if they have any other suggestions.

Diary of a Sleep Deprived Mother

If you are a mother, you are probably reading the title and thinking, "aren't we all!"  When you decide to have children, you go into it with the thought of knowing you will be losing some sleep, or no more sleeping in, which is all very true, but some of us have it more difficult than others!  Most other mothers that I talk to have children that sleep 12-14 hours a day and sleep through the night.  I am not so fortunate!
Ryne will be a year old on Wednesday, and he STILL doesn't sleep through the night!!!  I remember at Ryne's 2-week well visit, the pediatrician told me not to expect to sleep until Ryne was 3 months, 13 lbs and 3 chins (fat baby)!  I thought I was going to die right then and there because I LOVE sleep!  Three months of not sleeping through the night - Agggh!!  Well three months rolled around - still waking up at night for a feeding or two.  Thirteen pounds rolled around - still waking up at night, etc.  Three chins has never rolled around.  Ryne takes after me - he's on the thin side!  At three months Ryne was having a lot of sleep issues and spit-up issues, we took him to the pediatrician and found out that he had reflux - most babies do nowadays because of the "Back to Sleep" campaign, where babies are supposed to sleep on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS.  Ryne didn't grow out of his reflux as soon as we had hoped.   So Ryne continued to wake up at night for a feeding and had to take a bottle and be rocked to sleep every night and every naptime - not good!  To this day I can count on two hands the amount of times Ryne has slept at least 8 hours without waking up for a feeding!  This is where you pull your hair out!!
Recently, Ryne has stopped taking all his reflux medication and hardly spits-up - definitely nothing compared to what he used to do!  So, naturally we assumed that he would begin to sleep through the night.  Um, NO!  The sleep issue has gotten worse here recently.  He fights tooth and nail (sometimes literally) to avoid going to bed.  We've been putting him in his crib when he fights to let him cry a little and wind down, and then giving a bottle and rocking.  That method hasn't been working this past week and he is still waking up during the night for a feeding!  Most other mothers/parents that I've talked to have said to put him in his crib to cry and shut the door and don't go back in there.  There are some dangers to the Cry It Out method, like decreased oxygen intake from crying so long, not catering to true needs like pain, etc., and the development mistrust issues.  Those thoughts kill me and I feel like that's a little on the extreme side, but different strokes for different folks!
Finally yesterday, I had had enough!  A year of this nonsense, you've got to be kidding me!  Ryne had only slept 7 hours (bedtime and two naps) and cried for 45 minutes at naptime #2 so I decided to take him to the pediatrician.  Basically the pediatrician told me that Ryne is a "trained night crier and trained night feeder" - a double whammy, and it all stems from the reflux issues!  The pediatrician said "It's just not fair."  Ryne has developed an aversion to sleep because he associates sleep with pain (from the reflux) and since a reflux baby has to take smaller/more frequent feedings he has developed the habit of waking up during the night for food, even though he's not hungry.  The pediatrician gave me the "baby sleep Bible"..."according to Job" he added!  The sleep issues should be resolved in at least two weeks.  Ryne goes for his well visit next week so if he is still not sleeping through the night they will reevaluate.  So we are on day 2 of Hell Week! The first night is usually the hardest, which it was absolutely terrible last night!
The literature suggested I keep a sleep diary, so here we are folks - the Diary of a Sleep Deprived Mother - Day 1!  And yes I am aware that this is supposed to be for Ryne, but lets face it, I'm in this just as much as he is!
Last night Ryne went down fairly well.  He didn't go to sleep until 11:15ish.  I read his bedtime books, gave him a bottle and rocked him until he got drowsy.  I put him in his crib and he cried for about 8ish minutes.  He woke up twice during the night.  The first time he cried about 5 minutes and fell back asleep.  The second time is what makes the first night the worst!  Ryne's cry sounded different.  It was the 'I'm scared or in pain' cry. I still waited 10 minutes to see if he might go back to sleep.  After 10 minutes the crying continued and started to escalate.  So the literature says that you can get them out of the crib and hold them (contrary to what most  CIO parents do).  Ryne still cried and cried.  Finally I decided to make a bottle since a trained night feeder has to have the nighttime feeding tapered down.  Ryne refused the bottle, so I knew this was something different.  I gave him a little Motrin for pain and still the crying continued.  I tried rocking him, getting his best bud, Tad, out of the crib to hold, a pacifier - nothing was calming him down.  Finally about a hour later, he took a bottle while being rocked and started to drift off to sleep.  So I put him in his crib with Tad before he was completely asleep.  He let out a few whimpers and then finally fell asleep!  By the time I got back in bed, the sun was starting to come up!  I got back in bed after that emotionally exhausting hour and we both slept until 8:45.  So he slept more, even with the hour of crying, than he had the past two nights.  He is currently down for his first nap and has been asleep over an hour!  Yippeee!
This process is grueling.  It pulls at your heartstrings and wreaks havoc on your emotions that your child wants you/thinks they need you and you can't just go and pick them up and comfort them.  It tests your patience and your sanity.  It pushes you to the edge and then lets you dangle there by a thread!  You want to cry but you can't, you want to give up, but you owe it to your child and yourself to push through the pain.  Short term pain for long term gain, right?
Let me reiterate that not all babies are this way, so don't let me discourage you from having a child!  They are a blessing and there is no greater love!  However, this may be a great story to tell a teenager that thinks she/he is ready to take on "adult" activities!

And so, you just ran?

"When I got tired, I slept. When I got hungry, I ate. When I had to go, you know, I went."  This quote from Forrest Gump most accurately describe Ryne these days...except maybe the sleep part!
Ryne took his first solo steps at 10 months.  He had been taking 3 or 4 steps at a time up until about a month ago and last night he ran for the first time!  Adam is at a continuing ed class this weekend so Ryne and I packed up and headed to Kingston to stay with Granny Boo!  As soon as I put Ryne down in Mom's living room, he took off running!  It was hilarious!  He had his arms out in front of him and his quick leg movements reminded me of how a chicken runs!  Believe me, I know how a chicken runs, especially after Ryne and I chased a few with the stroller at Papa's house in June!  
When Ryne started walking, Adam said he hoped that Ryne would really be walking by his first birthday.  Ryne is having a pool party so Adam wanted to show off Ryne's walking skills.  I told Adam that I was afraid Ryne would be running by his first birthday, and apparently I was right!  Ryne's pool party theme is Dr. Seuss's "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish", but I think the new theme is going to be "No Running!"  Awww...that takes me back to the way Adam and I met!

Lead-tainted baby food products!

That's right!  I'm going to win the Mother of the Year award!  Not only have we purchased several baby products that have recently been recalled, but now I have learned that I was feeding my baby lead for the past few months!  Great!
Several brands (including major brands) of apple juice, grape juice and packaged pears, peaches and fruit cocktail were tested.  Check out the link to find out all the foods tainted with lead.

I'm thinking that my grandfather has the right idea.  If you need it, grow it or butcher it because it seems nothing is safe anymore.

4th of July!

This 4th of July was MUCH better than last year.  Lets see, last year I was a hot, swollen, miserable blimp with contractions every ten minutes and back labor pain!  This year I am the complete opposite of swollen ("sunken" seems more fitting), the complete opposite of miserable and the only pain I had was the sting of a sweat bee, so the hotness still remains I guess!  Ha!  This July is looking better already!
This year we spent the 4th of July at my best friend's house, again!  Adam and I do miss the ole Kingston Fireworks, especially since we usually got free food and drinks and the best seats in the house!  However, we have been trying to keep it a little more low-key the past few years!  Last year Charlotte had everyone over for their housewarming/4th of July Celebration.  This year it was a little more intimate with fewer people and lots of food and fun!  It so much easier to have your own air-conditioned bedroom with the pack-n-play set up and private bathroom to take care of all your baby needs, than fighting for a port-a-potty with thousands of other sweaty people!
Charlotte has a saltwater pool which is fabulous!  No more dry, itchy skin when you swim!  Ryne loved the pool.  He kicks pretty well and does some arm motions, but we HAVE to work on bubbles!  By this time next year, he will be doing breast stroke and butterfly!  He picked up a new girlfriend as well!  He likes a girl with swimmies on!  There was an 8 month old baby girl and a two year old girl there - Ryne went for the older woman!  Sophia came up to Ryne to give him a hug and Ryne totally put the moves on her and tried to get a kiss (or "sugar" or "shuggies" as we like to call it)!  Sorry Brylee, but Ryne is apparently a two-timer!
The food was fabulous, as well.  We had ribs, grilled shrimp, beer bread (i think it was made with coke), chocolate brownies with peanut butter m&m's - yum, and lots more!  Ryne ate like a champ.  He loved ribs and beer bread and even managed to snag a piece of chocolate chip cookie from the Godmother!
We ended the night with fireworks, which Ryne was not a fan of.  He liked to see the colors but hated the sound that they made.  He would give a little whimper every time he heard one of the fireworks.  So instead of spending the night we packed up and headed home, but it was nice being able to wake up in our own bed after a day with so much excitement.
Today we went to Kingston to spend some time with Jo Ann and Frank, and we took Adam's grandmother as well!  Ryne definitely showed off his walking skills, since Mamaw had not had a chance to see them yet!  Ryne is walking, walking, walking.   He walks from room to room, down the hall outside and inside (I'm starting to sound like a Dr. Seuss book, but you get the idea!)!  Again, Ryne ate like a champ tonight- salmon, green beans, baked potato, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, yogurt melts and a little homemade peach ice cream!  He's really turning into a little Adam, when it comes to appetite!  
I can't believe my little baby boy is going to be a year old next week!  I'm excited but sad at the same time!  Tune in this month for the more home projects, 12 month update, another wedding cake, Ryne's birthday cake and party, my birthday cake (if I have the energy to make it) and 5th Anniversary update!  We have a exciting month ahead!

Gracie Lou

Once upon a time, Adam and I had two cats fur babies - Gracie Lou and Chuck. Then we decided to have a real baby. Gracie was the jealous type, who would have probably used Ryne as a scratching post. Chuck was absolutely nuts and probably would have jumped all over Ryne and in the crib. So shortly before Ryne was born, we had to find new homes for Gracie and Chuck. Adam's wonderful Aunt Donna took Chuck (aka: Chuckles) and Mom took Gracie. Even though we don't have the cats anymore, they still mean the world to me.

Last night, Dad called me to tell me that he and Mom were taking Gracie to the vet because she was showing signs of weakness on her left side. Gracie has a strange aversion to men, but she was actually letting Dad pick her up and hold her, so I thought she must be dying! Mom and Dad thought she might have had a stroke. Makes sense - if a human has a stroke they can have paralysis on one side of their body. Anywho, we waited for awhile at the Animal ER in Farragut (apparently, Tuesday nights are the busiest - who knew?!). When the vet assessed Gracie, he said that she had ataxia, which is the wobbliness she was displaying, which could be caused by several things. The vet was thinking that Gracie had most likely ingested something poisonous. We decided to take her home because she was acting like she felt a little better by the time the vet saw her. The vet said that if she was still showing the same symptoms in the morning to take her back to her regular vet for a follow up.

Mom and Dad kept Gracie in the bathroom overnight so she would be easier to observe. Mom said that Gracie didn't make a peep and was very well behaved. Again, I'm thinking she must be dying because usually she meows ALL night long and tries to scratch a hole in the door when she's contained. Mom took Gracie back to the vet today and they have diagnosed her with feline Idiopathic Vestibular Disease (at least I think). Mom couldn't remember the "scientific name" but she said it meant that there was an issue with the middle/inner ear and the cause was unknown. So I put my medical terminology course to good use and found a "scientific name" for it!

Basically, Gracie acts like she's drunk. She would NOT pass a sobriety test. She collapses some on the hardwood floor because of her balance issues. My poor little fur baby girl! I hate that she is not her usual self, but she has calmed down a little, which is a good thing!

11 months!

As of last Monday (oops, a little late with this post), Ryne is 11 months old! I can hardly stand it! My baby is growing up! We have been incredibly busy lately. Business has picked up for me -YAY! I need the weekly girl time! We have been doing some home improvement projects around the house, planning Ryne's first birthday party, and raising a high maintenance little boy!

Ryne took his first solo steps the day after he turned 10 months, so we figured he would be walking within a few weeks! He would take two or three steps and then sit down, fall or reach out for the couch, table, leg, or whatever he could grab on to. Then almost two weeks ago he took about five or six steps when I had some girl friends over for my Color Certification Class. One girl (an experienced Mom with two boys) said, "he'll be walking within two weeks." She was right! This weekend, Mom, Ryne and I went to NC to visit Mom's family and Papa, since he is in the hospital (PRAYERS NEEDED!). Ryne quickly took to Grandma and he started showing off his 'walking' skills. Before the weekend was over, Ryne was truly walking - across the room, on his on volition, instead of us constantly having to coax him into walking! It was so exciting! The sad thing is that Adam didn't go on the trip with us, so he didn't get to see it. Adam did get to see him walk some last night when we got home, so that was a nice little Father's Day present!

Ryne is also talking a lot! He says my name, "boy," "I do," and "hey there!" And no, I'm not one of those silly mothers that thinks any syllable out of their baby's mouth is a word. I don't think Ryne always knows what he's saying but he is saying it - mostly mimicking things he hears a lot! It's nice that other people are starting to hear it as well, so I don't feel like such a looney! Adam asked Ryne if he liked the fish that Aunt Vicki got him and Ryne said "IIIIIIII do!" Adam asked me if Ryne just said "I do" and I told him that he had been saying it all weekend!

I'm so excited to see what the next month holds, but I don't want Ryne to grow up...too fast!