I think we’re learning how to “embrace” Camper’s sleeping schedule. A friend of mine told me that she gives her baby boy warm bottles at night, as opposed to room temperature, and that it helps him sleep longer. I was reluctant to try warming bottles because I was afraid that Camper wouldn’t take the lukewarm ones anymore. I love that he will take a bottle at the mall or in the car, where ever he gets hungry! But when I heard that it helped HER baby sleep better I thought that it would be nice for my Camper to go to bed with a warm tummy…so we tried it. The warm bottle combined with the swaddle (thanks Rebecca!! We even ordered a second one, did I tell you that?) helped him sleep for 5 hours in a row. I woke up to him in his crib making happy little talking noises, and when I picked him up he smiled at me! Now we give him warm bottles at night and early in the morning (his 3 am feedings, etc.) and I think it helps him tell the difference between night and day. We can only hope!
The last couple of days he’s actually been in bed about 10 or 10:30, wakes up around 2:30 or 3am and eats. Then he goes right back down and wakes up at 6am. I tried to get him to go back to sleep after 6 as well, but that seemed futile. So now I just start some laundry, play with him…chat and cuddle and even do tummy time (he seems to have the most energy for it this early!) and then he gets sleepy around 8am and will sleep in his bouncy chair all swaddled up. I’m hoping he’ll go back into his crib and sleep because I played with him and cuddled him when he woke up, so he’ll be all tired out and get a GOOD nap and avoid the 10am meltdown we’ve experienced for a week or so now. I would LOVE a routine, even if it meant a 6am wakeup time. But who knows, I’m not sure he’s quite old enough to stick to one routine yet. I’m just happy if he goes to bed before 1am and stays in bed for 5 or 6 hours a night. Happier Mommy and Daddy, happier baby, happier everyone!
It’s been a nice couple of days. We went to church on Sunday, had a meal and relaxed at home. I was meant to go out with Anisa on Monday, but her brother-in-law passed away last week. It was very sudden, our thoughts are with you girly. Let me know if you need anything.
I did end up going to see Twilight. John was already planning on staying home with the Camper, and I honestly just needed an afternoon out. (Still going with Anisa, too, just for the record). I saw the movie all by me onesie (don’t know why I felt I needed to be all Pirates about that sentence) and then swung by the gym on my way home. I will reserve my formal judgment for after a lengthy discussion with Anisa- during we which we probably pick it completely apart and come up with a long list of things we liked and things we didn’t…but I will say…well. Nothing. I’m going to wait.
Now it’s time to do all the laundry we can (Camper delivers a streaming supply…so it’s never “done”), clean the house, and start packing so we can start out tomorrow morning for Many Farms and Thanksgiving with John’s parents. I’m feeling a little wary about the drive with the wee one, but I think he’ll do ok. Might just take us a bit longer to get down there. I’m excited for Camper to have an extended visit with his Grandma and Grandpa Hattaway. They’ve visited a couple of times, in the NICU and about a week after the baby came home, but spending a few days will be really nice. I think it’ll be fun to tell Camper that he spent his first Thanksgiving on a Navejo reservation with his grandparents who were serving a mission. That is certainly something to be proud of, and we are grateful for the blessings that come from having family on a mission.
I was initally worried about Jonathan for Thanksgiving, he wanted to come with us but had to work, so he’s going to a friend’s for the holiday. I may make a pie when I get back, just to make sure he’s had enough. I wonder if I’ll ever get over worrying about and taking care of my little brother? Hope not. He’s a good one.
My first Thanksgiving here (i.e. Utah) I was meant to go to a mission companion’s house, but ended up not feeling well that morning and spending the day watching movies and eating Tilapia with John. It was our first holiday together. The first time he pretended to like my cooking. Ah the memories, sigh. This will be our third Thanksgiving together, and as I was falling asleep last night I remembered what it felt like to be nervous around him, when the relationship was new. I can’t believe how much we have learned about each other, how much we improve each other and offer each other, and how things get better with each passing year. Two Thanksgiving’s ago I was thankful for a new person in my life, challenging and loving and fun. Now I’m Thankful for the same thing, miniature version, as well as the original. My husband and my son are first on my list for what I’m grateful for, followed by a long line of names of family and friends who I couldn’t live life happily without. You know who you are. Thanks for being you, and being there for me.
This is me, signing off until after the Holiday. Have a good one, everyone.
