7 Months Old

Oh my goodness, my sweet Little Cub is already 7 months old.  Seriously?  How fast does she have to grow up?  She really is interacting more and more, talking all the time, and really moving all over.  She doesn't crawl in the traditional way, but more like "the worm."  It's really fun to watch.  She gets to wherever she wants to go.  I really need to baby proof the fireplace area so she doesn't hit her head on the rocks.  Sleeping is still an issue we are struggling with.  I did the "cry it out" thing with Little Bear and it went really well.  He had a few rough nights, but learned quickly to sleep through the night.  Little Cub on the other hand will cry for 45 minutes and won't calm until I go in her room.  And, she doesn't just whimper, she screams hard for the entire 45 min.  It's rather frustrating.  I hope she figures out the sleep thing soon so we can all get better sleep.

She's starting to eat more solid food.  I figured out that she doesn't like the pureed stuff, but will eat broccoli, apples, bananas, pieces of steamed carrots, and some cereal puffs.  I don't know what I will do with all the baby food I made.  Maybe I will make smoothies with the fruit ones.

She looks so long here

She's always moving

Happy girl with big brother right behind 

They melt my heart

I love her big beautiful eyes!!

She's Movin' On

After Little Cub's 4 month check up a while ago, the doctor and I agreed that it was time to put her in her crib at night.  She had been sleeping in a rock 'n play right next to my bed.  At 2 months she was sleeping a 5-7 hour stretch.  Thinking that she was hearing me and I was reacting to her noises too quickly, I thought she might sleep longer in her own bed.  Boy was I wrong.  At the worst, she was waking up every 1.5-2 hours.  I knew she was at the age I could start sleep training her.  However, I'm having a really hard time being strong.  Little Bear's room is right across from her room.  I'm afraid if I let her cry too long that she'll wake up Little Bear.  So, I go to her and try to calm her and get her back to sleep.  However, she's pushed up on her arms and her eyes are wide open - she now sees me.  I've tried to get her back to sleep without breastfeeding her, but it doesn't work.  Mark even went to her room the other night to calm her back to sleep.  It worked initially, but she woke up 30 minutes letter screaming.  So, in order that we all get sleep, I went to her room and fed her.  She fell back asleep.  I remember when I sleep trained Little Bear, it was hard.  However, I had a plan and set time limits for myself before going to his room.  I started at 10 minutes, then 15, then 20.  After a week, he was sleeping really well.  So, I thought I'd be able to do it this time around, but I'm not doing so well.  I've been so exhausted and cranky because of the lack of sleep.  I relish nap time and aim to get both kids down at the same time in the afternoon.  I'm trying not to complain because at least I have 2 healthy kids to wake up to.  Not everyone has that opportunity.  Because of where I work, I've witnessed many parents lose their child to illness or accident.  I also know many people that long for a child, but are unable to have one.  So, how can I complain about my healthy child?  Instead,  I need to be thankful and praise God that my children are in my life.  I get the gift of holding and comforting them.  So, what's my plan?  Well, I just need to set a goal and stick to it.  Little Bear has a humidifier in his room that makes a lot of noise.  So, it's up to me to set the night I will start the training.  It will pay off in the long run even though hearing Little Cub cry will be tough.

Naptime - I swaddle her and lay her on her back.  However, she rolls over and loves laying on her side

I'm sure I'm going to get some flak for having the bumper pads up.  Oh well, I have peace and I also have a motion detector connected to the monitor that alarms if there's been no movement for 20 seconds.

Little Bear loves to get into Little Cub's crib when he hears her wake up - he loves her

Love these 2 sweet babes