my little night owl

So yesterday I posted about my sweet sleeping little angels.
And tonight CJV was awake until after midnight.
(Note to self: In the future, do not even mention the fact that your children sleep.)

She spent two hours in her crib ... chatting and singing and hanging out.

And then we played for an hour.  I loved every minute of that hour.  It is so rare that we get to spend time - just the two of us - on the floor with a bin of toys. 

She chatting some more and tried to repeat words that I said.  She chased after a tiny princess ball (big sister never lets her play with it!) and her best buddy, Louie.  She stacked blocks and treated me to many belly laughs as I entertained her with an egg shaker! 

I even managed to take a few photos :)

sleep, sleep so sweetly

Is there anything as peaceful as a sleeping child?  Every night before I put myself to bed (and it's usually much later than I should be staying up), I go into each of my girl's rooms to check on them.  What I am really doing is trying to soak up their angelic appearance.  Trying to memorize their faces.  Trying to imagine what their dreams are filled with.  Trying to remember the babies they once were. Trying to etch into my mind the beautiful little people they are right now.

A friend of mine, who also happens to be a fabulous photographer, encouraged me to shoot in manual mode, bump up the ISO, and capture this nightly ritual of mine ... and I am so glad that I did!

 

Most nights the blankets are in a big pile and binky is on the floor. 

If she's not on her side like this, she is on her tummy 

with knees under her and bottom up in the air.

 

NHV is a wild and noisy sleeper.  

I never know what position I will find her in.

 

Just look at this face!  Those sweet lips and tiny eyelashes!

CJV fell asleep in the car on the way home from a birthday party.

There's a song by Danielle Sansone that I absolutely love

... and sing to my girls sometimes.

This is the chorus ... 

Sleep, sleep so sweetly
You know I love you deeply
Know that when you wake
We’ll celebrate the day

sleepless in ... chicago

Apparently I have to leave Seattle and fly four hours in order to have a truly sleepless night. 

Who would've thought?!

For the next 10 days I am traveling with my two girls - by myself - with a stop first in Chicago to see my girl Chitown Momma and her two adorable nuggets and then onto Alton to spend time with my family.

So the trip through the airport and security (where the new rule is babies must be out of carriers, btw)  and onboard the flight for 4+ hours ... all of that was uneventful.  Natalie was so cooperative.  Charlotte took a good snooze.  The DVD player battery lasted through all of Curious George and about 30 minutes into Tinkerbell.  Even the pick-up - despite a temporarily lost vehicle (those parking garages can be so confusing!) and a very hungry 11-month old - went well.  The trip was off to a great start.

To make the experience even more enjoyable (and deceptively easy), both girls went right to sleep - NHV in the same room with her buddy Benjamin and CJV in "my" room.  AND Chitown Momma and I got to enjoy two uninterrupted hours of red-wine-sipping and catching up.   Good stuff, right?

I climbed into bed at 11:30 and listened to the plethora of city sounds outside the windows.  Cars zooming past, buses screeching to a stop, conversations of the people walking by, the wind off the lake rattling the windows, ... all of this on the third floor, mind you.  Eventually it lulled me to sleep until Charlotte woke me up at 2:30 ready for some milk.  I snuggled her and nursed her in bed.  Out of nowhere I got this weird mommy-tuition that Natalie needed me.  To confirm this feeling, I heard her voice call out. 

I carried a now sleeping (and full-bellied) Charlotte down the hall with me, opened the door where Natalie was sleeping and saw her sitting up in bed with this very confused look on her face.  A look like, "Where in the world am I?"  Waking up in a strange place is disorienting enough for an adult, and I could tell she was feeling upset.  I quietly calmed her and climbed in next to her on the futon.  The three of us - me and my girls - laid there for a while; I rubbed Natalie's back and waked a peaceful Charlotte sleeping.  And then Natalie starting chatting - loudly, which woke up her baby sister and I feared would do the same to Benjamin. The three of us made the trek back down the hallway and got into my bed. 

There was NO sleep after that point.  From 2:30 am - when Charlotte woke to nurse and Natalie woke to be soothed - until almost 7:00 am, the three of us did not sleep.  Bless Chitown Momma who helped out from about 4:00 on ... putting Natalie in bed with her, and then singing and rocking Charlotte - when Natalie refused to cooperate.  None of our efforts payed off.  I tried everything I could think of. 

At 6:00 am - as the sun began peeking over the horizon - we climbed into Chitown Momma's bed.  Natalie tried for an hour to fall asleep but finally gave up and went to play with Laurie and her two kiddos - who were awake for the day after a restful night's sleep.  Charlotte and I slept until 9:00 and then joined the party.

Both girls are napping now - thankfully.  Here's hoping that our second night in Chicago is not sleepless!

Good Night, Sweetheart

It started with Natalie and has continued with Charlotte.

While cuddling in the glider, I sing ... 

You are my sunshine.  My only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are gray.

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

Just before I put my baby girl in the crib for the night, 

I sing this verse of a song that was before my time ... 

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well. it's time to go
Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
I hate to leave you, but I really must say
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight
(here is a really cool YouTube version)

and then I sing,

I love you, Charlotte

Oh, yes I do.

I love you, Charlotte

And I'll be true.

When you're not with me,

I'm blue.

Oh, Charlotte, I love you.

I really, really wish these three songs produced
the same kind of sleep from Charlotte as they did from Natalie.
No such luck at this point.

For your viewing pleasure, my girls asleep ... in the car seat ... 

NHV bundled up in January 2008

CJV trying to stay cool in August 2010

---------------------------------------

Today I am singing along with BJ Mama - you should too!

Sleep

I need some ... badly.

My 8-month old is not good at sleeping during the hours of 8:00 pm and 8:00 am.

This is what last night looked like ... because perhaps you can commiserate, relate, or support ... but mainly because I need evidence of just how much this has sucked ... to serve at birth control.

Yesterday afternoon Charlotte had a "not-typical" nap from 3:00 until 5:15. Usually her schedule is closer to 1:30 until 4:30. After she woke up and had a decent nursing session, we played and she spent some time in her Jumperoo while I made dinner. She sat in her high chair while we ate and had a few spoonfuls of baby food apples. I took her upstairs for bath around 7:15. She weighed 12 pounds 9.5 ounces. She seemed very tired and didn't want a story. I nursed her again. Sang to her and put her in her crib - partially awake - at 8:00.

8:00 pm - 9:15 pm - Charlotte fell asleep right away without the binky.

9:15 pm - I heard fussing in the monitor. Gave her about 5 minutes to self-soothe and then went up to give her a quick pat and offer her the binky.

10:30 pm - 11:00 pm - Again, I hear fussing in the monitor. Not crying but her version of calling out. I let her "work it out" for almost 30 minutes. She got quiet at times but always started fussing again.

11:00 pm- I nursed her in the hopes that I could go to sleep at get 4 solid hours of rest.

11:15 pm - 1:00 am - Charlotte would not go back to sleep. I left her in her crib but checked on her about every 20 minutes. Found her rotated 180 degrees with her head down where her feet had been. She was chewing her toes through her sleeper and having a great time!

1:00 am- By this point I was frustrated and tired!  I swaddled her a little tighter, stuck her binky in her mouth, gave her a pat and turned down the monitor.

4:00 am - I didn't hear her again until 4:00.  I nursed her because it had been 5 hours since her last feeding at 11:00 pm.  She went right back to sleep.

5:30 am - She was awake again!  She got a quick pat and her binky.

6:30 am - Nursed her again and hoped for another two hours of sleep!

7:30 am - Put her in bed with me.  She played with her toes.  I tried to snooze until NHV woke up at 8:15 am.

 

Things to Note:

• I generally lightly swaddle her from the chest down ... because she rubs her feet together constantly and/or brings her feet to her mouth - neither of which is conducive to sleep.
• Her room is very dark.  I even covered the clock and monitor displays last night.
• She naps in the morning for 1.5 - 2 hours and again in the afternoon for 2-3 hours.
• I have read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer and found it quite helpful early on.
• I have read parts of BabyWise and much of it makes sense.  I am just not sure it takes into account the fact that CJV was born early and has difficulty gaining weight.
• I am a firm believer in the importance of sleep (for babies and mamas).  I know that sleep is as important as food.  I really want Charlotte to get a quality night's sleep and think she is capable of a 5-6 hour stretch at this point.

ESP: Six Weeks

Current Weight: 7  pounds

EAT:  From an eating standpoint, the past ten days have been very different.  At her one month check-up (10 days ago), the pediatrician deemed her weight gain (6 lbs. 9 oz. at that point) significant and consistent.  Enough that I got the go-ahead to stop the pumping, stop the bottle-feeding, stop waking her for feedings, and breastfeed exclusively and on-demand.    What a relief!  I was so happy to finally be released from the pump prison!   The best part, though, the switch has been nothing but successful!  I am amazed by how well my little baby transitioned from chugging a bottle to sucking the ... well, I don't want to get graphic, but you know. 

And I would say that she's even better at nursing than NHV ... not that I am comparing or making it a competition.  It just surprises me because I've heard so much about nipple confusion and babies who refuse to nurse after drinking from a bottle for extended amounts of time.  Even more impressive, CJV goes for decent stretches in between feedings ... 2, 3, 4, even 5 hours.  NHV nursed all the freaking time ... like every hour and a half to two hours ... longer stretches were rare rather than the norm.

In the past few days, I have noticed an increase in spit-up ... but I think that's normal at this point.  I just hope it doesn't last as long as it did with Natalie.

SLEEP:  Charlotte continues to be a pretty darn good sleeper.  (Gosh, I hope I am not totally jinxing myself here!)  And her periods of alertness are definitely increasing.  She's not great at putting herself to sleep; she fights it a little.  She doesn't really cry or fuss ... just gets that wide-eyed stare, classic overstimulation.  But the 5 S's ... swaddle, side, shush, swing, and suck ... are pretty fool-proof in triggering her calming reflex.  Of course, CJV still prefers to be held while snoozing - she's a newborn afterall, but she can also sleep for good stretches in her bassinet ... if the planets align just right.  The Ergo carrier has been invaluable during the day.  Charlotte will sleep in there while Natalie and I go about our business.  When she does get really tired, the stork bites on her eyelids get darker.

PERSONALITY:  I know I am completely biased, but geez, this baby girl is so very sweet!  She's very calm and mellow ... the majority of the time.  Even when she does get upset, Charlotte is quick to soothe and overall very content.  I love all the baby sounds she is making now ... aaaaahs and ooooohs and sighs.  Although she honks less, there are still plenty of grunts and snorts.  If she's waking up and feeling hungry, she tells me with a series of stretches and grunts.  She also has the best sleep grins.  I am still waiting on the real thing, but in the meantime, I cannot get enough of her little grins! 

Charlotte's favorite things (aside from the girls) ... her binky, my face, when I sing, "Hey, hey pretty Charlotte," the Fussy Baby poster next to her changing table, a foam wedge, and the fan in our master bathroom.

And I'll leave you with one more photo ... her little outfit, a gift from my friend Sarah Lou, says, "Whoooo's the cutest?"

You are Charlotte Jane.  You are.

10:30 am

It's 10:30 am, and I am just now rolling out of bed.

Sounds so decadent, right?  Like something reserved for high schoolers and college kids.  At the very least it seems like something done on an occasional Saturday ... before starting a family.

Well, I am feeling somewhat rested, but it's not nearly as luxurious as it sounds.

At 7:30 am, I was feeding a "starving" newborn ... and then holding her upright while those two ounces of breastmilk digested.

At 8:30 am, I was eating a yummy scrambled egg and toast breakfast prepared by my awesome husband.

At just before 9:00 am, I was waving good-bye to my husband and two-year old as they left for a visit to the local kid's museum.

Back in bed just after 9:00 am and managed to sleep until the next "scheduled" feeding time ... 10:30 am.

I am living life in 3-hour chunks.  If half that time is spent sleeping (can that small amount of time even be called sleeping?), then, hey, life is good!

Who's that Girl?

Well, that's little Natalie No-Nap.

Reading books because after trying to fall asleep for an hour, mommy took pity on her and gave her a 30-minute playtime.

In nothing but a diaper because that's her new preferred way to sleep ... and no sense getting her dressed for the photo; she's heading back to sleep (fingers crossed) even as I type.

I am completely shocked that Natalie didn't take her usual 3-hour snooze this afternoon. She woke up at her normal time (around 8:00) and had an exciting playdate with her BFF Sahara until almost 2:00. Perhaps I missed that all-important nap window?

While I'm talking about sleep habits ... remember yesterday when I took the opportunity to mop my floors because Natalie was still sleeping at 8:30 am? Yeah, she didn't wake up - despite my attempts - until 11:00 am! Which meant little Natalie No-Nap made an appearance yesterday, too. Considering the fact that she slept for like 14 hours, I didn't even try to put her down. We shopped and played and went to the pool ... and she was great right on through to bedtime at 8:00.

Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Winter Weather Blues

It only seems fitting that my first entry "from the NW" make mention of weather. Yes, it does rain here a lot, and I have pretty much had enough of it! The days are gray and dismal, and the nights last for 15 hours ... seriously, what's up with that? Looking at the forecast for the next 10 days, I find myself wondering, how hard is it to be a meteorologist in Seattle? Day after day after day of rain, possible snow showers, and temperatures around 40 degrees ... delightful!

Last January, my first winter in the NW, I was all but oblivious to the weather conditions and just about anything else for that matter. You see, my world revolved around the tiny human growing in my belly - or my uterus to be more specific. And the majority of my time - if I'm being honest - wasn't spent noticing the conditions outside my window, it was spent "looking at the inside of my eyelids." Thinking about it now, knowing what I know now, I realize that sleep was the perfect escape, like a vacation on a sunny beach in Hawaii. Perhaps that explains my current habit of going back to bed when Natalie takes her morning nap; I am just hoping for a brief return to the islands!

Speaking of sleep and Natalie, she actually let me sleep until almost 8:30 this morning - if you don't count the three feedings between the time I fell asleep and then. And when I did open my eyes, I was pleasantly surprised - make that completely shocked - to see rays of sunshine and peeks of blue sky. What a treat! In the time it took to feed Natalie and make a blueberry bagel with cream cheese (my current breakfast fav), the sky had clouded over and wet snow had started to fall ...