Aurora was sitting and staring into space at the dinner table, her pancakes untouched in front of her...
Wil (goofily): Aurora, what 'cha thinking about?
Aurora: I'm not telling you!
W: Is it about rainbows?
A: No....
Regina: Is it about unicorns?
A: No...
W: Is it about flowers?
A: No...
R: Is it about cats?
A: No....
R: Is it about marshmallows?
A: No....
W: Is it about games?
A: No....
R: Is it about princesses?
A: Ye-hehehe-s! *giggles more*
W: What were you thinking about princesses?
A: I was thinking about how princesses eat pancakes!
~Regina
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Aurora's Secret Garden
Yesterday while in the car, Aurora started telling us about her secret garden that no one else is allowed in. It was so much fun to hear in such detail about her pretend world. She rarely tells us this much about anything special to her.
After I turned off the camera, she informed Wil and me that we are the mean king and queen and that we aren't allowed to go into the garden. Hehe. Yeah, mommy and daddy have to be mean sometimes....guess she can hold it against us a bit when it comes to her pretend secret garden.
(And, no, she is not familiar with the story The Secret Garden at all. The only thing I can think of that gave her this idea is that I talked to her one time about developing a relaxation visualization and mentioned at that time that I have one I use to help myself go to sleep. I think that's what she's remembering when she asks to see my garden.)
~Regina
After I turned off the camera, she informed Wil and me that we are the mean king and queen and that we aren't allowed to go into the garden. Hehe. Yeah, mommy and daddy have to be mean sometimes....guess she can hold it against us a bit when it comes to her pretend secret garden.
(And, no, she is not familiar with the story The Secret Garden at all. The only thing I can think of that gave her this idea is that I talked to her one time about developing a relaxation visualization and mentioned at that time that I have one I use to help myself go to sleep. I think that's what she's remembering when she asks to see my garden.)
~Regina
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Monday, April 15, 2013
Some Short Stories
Quinn is working on jumping. He likes to "jump" off of his mattress (which is on the floor) and thinks it's the greatest thing ever. A couple nights ago, he climbed up on our cedar chest (about 18 inches tall) and was acting like he wanted to jump. So I went over, knelt down, and reached up to take him by the waist to help him jump down safely when he suddenly threw himself off the chest and into my arms. He thought that was great and repeated it a couple times. Crazy kid!!
Wil was trying to explain what money is to Aurora.
Wil: Money is a symbolic representation of of value.
Aurora: Daddy, what did you do at work today?
Wil, trying again: Are you your name?
Aurora: No! My name is Aurora!
Wil: Well, yes, that's true....
He eventually was able to come up with a way to help her understand that her name represents her but isn't her, but I don't think she really got it.
Quinn knocked a chair over on himself and got a few bumps and bruises. After crying and cuddling a bit, he took my hand and led me to his room. Then he sat down, pointed at the TV, and said, "Toot toot!"
I think I've been using Thomas the Tank Engine to distract him from teething pain and sickness a bit too much recently...
~Regina
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Father's Day Ideas
A while back I suggested that Aurora start thinking of gift ideas for Wil for Fathers' day. Here was tonight's idea...
Aurora: I have a Fathers' Day idea!
Me: Ok! What is your idea?
A: A book!
Me: A book is an excellent idea! What kind of book do you think daddy would like?
A: A princess book for me and daddy!
Me: A princess book? What kind of princess book do you think daddy would like.
A: I don't know....A scary princess book for daddy! And a not scary one for me...Cinderella is nice...
~Regina
Aurora: I have a Fathers' Day idea!
Me: Ok! What is your idea?
A: A book!
Me: A book is an excellent idea! What kind of book do you think daddy would like?
A: A princess book for me and daddy!
Me: A princess book? What kind of princess book do you think daddy would like.
A: I don't know....A scary princess book for daddy! And a not scary one for me...Cinderella is nice...
~Regina
Saturday, April 6, 2013
The No-Cry Sleep Solution Log: Day 180--Troubleshooting
Yesterday was supposed to be a log day. I totally forgot to do it and it's probably just as well. Last night was awful. Quinn has had a tummy bug of some sort and his teeth keep bothering him off and on. I wouldn't believe that they're STILL bothering him, but the fact that he'll suddenly start drooling like a fountain and start grabbing at his teeth (the last two that are coming in) and then settle down when we give him teething gel is enough to convince me. I can't believe that we still aren't past this! It's been 4 months...this is crazy.
But I know teething will be over very, very soon, so it's time to step up our game again. We've been in a holding pattern and it's time to start adding or changing what we've been doing to gently push Quinn to sleep better. We've generally be in good habits, but not completely, so it's time to evaluate what might be keeping us from progress and commit to the new plan.
*Pulling out the book that I haven't looked at for 3 months*
Things that might be keeping us from full success (though we've seen plenty of positive change over these last few months, just not more sleep!):
1. Teething--Yep, we've got this issue.
2. Separation anxiety--Quinn definitely has this issue, but I'm not sure if it's part of his nighttime wakings. Most of the ideas Pantley offers for helping this issue are things we already do.
3. Developmental milestones or growth spurts-- Quinn has gone through several of these and recently seems to be having another developmental spurt. The way he interacts with the world seems to have changed a bit.
4. General illness and discomfort-- Comes and goes, of course. We've figured out several foods that we avoid at dinner time because they give Quinn tummy troubles. Common colds, though, we just can't avoid. Thankfully, the sickness season is almost over.
Most of these will pass with time, but we do work to minimize his discomfort. There are 4 or 5 other items that Pantley suggests as issues, but those don't apply to us.
Some other issues that I believe are impeding good sleep:
1. Putting Quinn back to bed every single time is a lot of work. I want him to sleep longer lengths of time without me, but he's still getting used to not having me next to him. Most nights, it's way easier for me to just lay down with him and sleep. It helps him and it helps me a bit. However, in the long term, it's not helping either of us. I don't sleep deeply when next to him and he wakes more frequently because he wants to nurse. But on nights when he's decided he doesn't want to sleep without me, it's hard to be getting in and out of bed every 15 minutes for hours on end when I just want to sleep. I think part of the solution to this might be having Wil put Quinn back in bed, but usually that ends in wailing and gnashing of teeth. *sigh*
2. Lack of a clear difference between naptime and bedtime. I'm debating how to accomplish a clear differentiation between these two events so that Quinn gets the cue to go back to sleep at night. I'm not sure how much difference is necessary, but I assume it varies from child to child.
3. Lack of understanding of our expectations. Perhaps Quinn doesn't understand that we want him to go back to sleep at night. I've told him, but maybe telling him isn't the right way. Pantley suggests making a sleepy-time story book featuring photos of the child. Maybe a more visual explanation would help Quinn. I have my doubts, but I think I'm willing to try it.
4. Nighttime nursings. Quinn loves the comfort of nursing. I'm doubtful that he still needs the nutrition at night, though he does actively nurse for 3-4 minutes when he wakes at night, but I think he's dependent upon that bit of cuddle time to help himself relax back to sleep. He has a lovey that he loves, he has pacifiers that he loves, but nothing can substitute for mommy's yum-yums. I am slowly trying to reduce the length of nighttime nursings, but this is a long process. I'm hoping that once teething pain is completely gone, he won't be as dependent upon the nursing to go back to sleep.
5. I'm just plain tired. It's hard to change things when you're exhausted, especially when those changes will make things worse before they get better. Part of me is still waiting on the teeth, but it's time to bite the bullet and start working on these things again.
That's all. Just troubleshooting and brainstorming ideas on how to move forward.
~Regina
But I know teething will be over very, very soon, so it's time to step up our game again. We've been in a holding pattern and it's time to start adding or changing what we've been doing to gently push Quinn to sleep better. We've generally be in good habits, but not completely, so it's time to evaluate what might be keeping us from progress and commit to the new plan.
*Pulling out the book that I haven't looked at for 3 months*
Things that might be keeping us from full success (though we've seen plenty of positive change over these last few months, just not more sleep!):
1. Teething--Yep, we've got this issue.
2. Separation anxiety--Quinn definitely has this issue, but I'm not sure if it's part of his nighttime wakings. Most of the ideas Pantley offers for helping this issue are things we already do.
3. Developmental milestones or growth spurts-- Quinn has gone through several of these and recently seems to be having another developmental spurt. The way he interacts with the world seems to have changed a bit.
4. General illness and discomfort-- Comes and goes, of course. We've figured out several foods that we avoid at dinner time because they give Quinn tummy troubles. Common colds, though, we just can't avoid. Thankfully, the sickness season is almost over.
Most of these will pass with time, but we do work to minimize his discomfort. There are 4 or 5 other items that Pantley suggests as issues, but those don't apply to us.
Some other issues that I believe are impeding good sleep:
1. Putting Quinn back to bed every single time is a lot of work. I want him to sleep longer lengths of time without me, but he's still getting used to not having me next to him. Most nights, it's way easier for me to just lay down with him and sleep. It helps him and it helps me a bit. However, in the long term, it's not helping either of us. I don't sleep deeply when next to him and he wakes more frequently because he wants to nurse. But on nights when he's decided he doesn't want to sleep without me, it's hard to be getting in and out of bed every 15 minutes for hours on end when I just want to sleep. I think part of the solution to this might be having Wil put Quinn back in bed, but usually that ends in wailing and gnashing of teeth. *sigh*
2. Lack of a clear difference between naptime and bedtime. I'm debating how to accomplish a clear differentiation between these two events so that Quinn gets the cue to go back to sleep at night. I'm not sure how much difference is necessary, but I assume it varies from child to child.
3. Lack of understanding of our expectations. Perhaps Quinn doesn't understand that we want him to go back to sleep at night. I've told him, but maybe telling him isn't the right way. Pantley suggests making a sleepy-time story book featuring photos of the child. Maybe a more visual explanation would help Quinn. I have my doubts, but I think I'm willing to try it.
4. Nighttime nursings. Quinn loves the comfort of nursing. I'm doubtful that he still needs the nutrition at night, though he does actively nurse for 3-4 minutes when he wakes at night, but I think he's dependent upon that bit of cuddle time to help himself relax back to sleep. He has a lovey that he loves, he has pacifiers that he loves, but nothing can substitute for mommy's yum-yums. I am slowly trying to reduce the length of nighttime nursings, but this is a long process. I'm hoping that once teething pain is completely gone, he won't be as dependent upon the nursing to go back to sleep.
5. I'm just plain tired. It's hard to change things when you're exhausted, especially when those changes will make things worse before they get better. Part of me is still waiting on the teeth, but it's time to bite the bullet and start working on these things again.
That's all. Just troubleshooting and brainstorming ideas on how to move forward.
~Regina
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