Breakin' the Rules

Just because Lyndon has his own crib doesn't mean we can't do this on occasion . . .

Pure Bliss

After only a few days, our little guy LOVES his crib.

This is the face of contentment, no?

(Note the bad case of bed-head. And the Tigger outfit? That's a 3 month sleeper. :-) )

Crib Training, Days 3 and 4: Hello Growth Spurt

Well, Lyndon did great sleeping in his crib and eating every 3 hours on days 2 and 3. He even slept in his crib at night on day 2! As of yesterday afternoon, we were convinced we had the best baby ever. But, lest we get lulled into a false sense of security (or pride), God changed the rules on us yesterday evening. We're pretty sure our little boy is going through a growth spurt.

Last night, he started wanting to eat ALL THE TIME. It was all we could do to pacify him long enough for my body to make some more milk. He refused to nap in between these feedings, preferring instead to scream and cry. He got up to eat twice in the wee hours of the morning (we're used to once), and this morning has been a cluster feeding fest, with, you guessed it, plenty of fussing in between.

The good news? Our little boy has outgrown his newborn clothes once and for all, and he's gained 8 oz. in the last 6 days (according to the Wii Fit). It makes it so much easier to hang in there with these growth spurts, to know that our little boy is growing!

Crib Training, Day 2

Well, Lyndon cried for what seemed like all day yesterday. And then he slept all night. Granted, all night for a 2 1/2 week-old means, like, 5 hours, but still. We put him back in the Pack N Play, and he slept for those 5 hours, ate, then slept for another 4. It's amazing how restful 5 straight hours of sleep can feel after 2 1/2 weeks of less than 4.

We were dreading his first nap this morning. We put him down in his crib when he had been awake for about an hour and was starting to get cranky. Adrian gave him his finger to suck on, just to calm him down a bit. He sucked twice, then closed his eyes and slept until his next feeding (which we're also trying to be more consistent with, btw). The next nap, he cried for about 10 minutes before drifting off. The rest of the day has been pretty much like that. He has not cried through an entire naptime once. God is being so good to let us see some fruit from this training already.

Now, we realize that we can't consider our son "trained" or "scheduled" yet, and he could easily go back to the constant screaming of yesterday, but he already seems happier, better rested, and more trusting than he did without a routine. And one day of a happy child makes it all worth it.

Neverending Crying, aka Crib Training

Adrian has to go back to work next week, so we've started trying to get Lyndon to sleep in his own room, in his crib, instead of in the Pack N Play in our room. This has been less than successful.

Apparently, crib manufacturers coat the bars with some sort of stimulant, which ensures that the moment you put a baby down, even if he's sound asleep, he will wake up and start screaming. Maybe they should do a crib recall for that.

Seriously, though, it's not all the crib's fault. We didn't think it was possible, but it seems that in 2 1/2 weeks of life, Lyndon has managed to get dependent on us to fall asleep. We thought it was sweet to let our newborn son fall asleep on our laps, or in our arms. But now, he won't sleep any other way. This is nothing short of heartbreaking, as we look into red, drowsy, tearful eyes that clearly need a nap and won't take one. More than once, one or both of us has given in and taken him into the guest room to cuddle him to sleep just because we feel sorry for him. This has probably made things worse.

As I type this, he is lying in his crib-- fed, burped, changed, and well-dressed-- screaming. He took a 5 minute break from crying a few minutes ago, leading us to wonder and hope, then started again with renewed passion and energy.

In conclusion, I hate this and am starting to need a nap myself . . . or some serious encouragement.

Mr. Adorable

Happy One Week Birthday Lyndon!

Lyndon celebrated his one week birthday by falling asleep immediately after each of his night feedings last night and sleeping until it was time for the next one, giving mommy and daddy nearly 5 hours of sleep. What a birthday present!

What a wonderful little boy! Happy one week birthday . . . and thanks for the sleep.