Reflections of Motherhood

This Season

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."  Ecclesiastes 3:1

I was reading one of my favorite Mommy blogs this afternoon and these words literally jumped out at me.

"I chose relatively simple goals, as I am in a very busy season of life, raising four precious gifts from the Lord."

Hello.  The first thing that rang true with me was the phrase, "a very busy season of life."   I am certainly in that season.  Not because of sports, extra-curricular activities, school projects or church activities.  Simply because I am Mom.  I am called upon at all hours of every day to make things right.  To nurse boo-boos, to settle disputes, to attend to the feeding, clothing and nurturing of these little ones.   Let's not forget the duties involved in also being Wife.   Finding lost paperwork, washing and rewashing work uniforms, having a meaningful adult conversation occasionally with this man who asked me to be his help-meet.   Sigh.  A very busy season indeed.  


The next part of that sentence held a lot of meaning for me too.   "Raising four precious gifts from the Lord."   Wait a minute!  We're not the only ones choosing to have a larger-than-2.5 children-to-parent-ratio?   There are others out there raising lots of littles and regarding them as precious gifts.   I often need to keep our busy, chaotic household in perspective.  There are other families out there who are wondering where their precocious toddler snuck off to during school time.  :-)  Other families might also be trying to figure out the logistics of grocery shopping with 4 children while Daddy is at work.    Other moms have also been awake at night, feeding, changing and soothing newborns.  This isn't a new thing, this motherhood.  It's been around since Eve had Cain.   I'm not the only mom to ever walk down this path, and I won't be the last.   I am so thankful for others who have gone before and can offer wisdom to those of us in the trenches.   

Has anything made you regain perspective on the calling of motherhood?   What has given you hope lately as you face each new challenge being a mom presents?  

Baby Z's birthday!

Ok!  I finally have a few minutes to share about Baby Z's birth story!    So, you all know I was basically walking around for two months having false/pre/practice labor every.single. day.   Some days, I was having up to 14 hrs of contractions and thinking, "Is this it??!!"     We even went to the hospital to stop a sharp ligament pain I had that kicked off (what we thought would be) premature labor.    The Dr. estimated that we were already 36 weeks, even though our midwife was saying 34 weeks.  It was all confusing.    Whether I was truly only 40 weeks or not, I don't think anyone but God knows the answer to that!   But, by our midwife's numbers, Baby Z finally made his appearance at 40 weeks + 3 days.    Hm.  Kind of like 3 of my others...just past their due date....   Perhaps I should just embrace the pattern.   

Hubby and I went to bed late Sunday night, around midnight.   He was on-call for work and had just started a job during dinnertime hours.   All of the sudden, at 1:45am, a really strong contraction woke me up.  I waited and sure enough, about 5 minutes later, another one came.  I waited until 2:03am to wake Hubby up because I knew he was exhausted and besides, I'd been having contractions for 2 months already!   What were a few more?

I was right, he didn't really believe me, but he kind of woke up anyway and said, "Ok, let me know what you want me to do."  I waited through a few more and then at 2:18, I said, "We need to call D(our midwife)."    He was still a little bit hesitant, but called her anyway as I breathed slowly through another really strong contraction.    She was also a little hesitant, but said, "Ok, I'm getting up and getting ready."    I was starting to feel a little like Peter and the Wolf here, but I knew it didn't matter, they were all gonna see that I was serious in a short while!   

While I laid there, working my way through each contraction, I was busy praying for God to help me through another labor, especially our first homebirth.  I could feel His presence calming me down and assuring me that this was definitely "it" and that we would not only have a smooth labor, but have the baby before the kids were even awake in the morning!   (Now if that happened, I knew it was a God-thing, because none of my labors had ever gone that fast!)


At 3am, D called and said she and her helper were on the road, it would be the usual 1 1/2 hrs before they got there.   Hubby told her I was doing good, but really working to relax during each contraction.  I think that got her attention and she agreed that I was in active labor.   Finally!  They were convinced!  :-)    We got up out of the bed and re-made it for labor, plastic lining under sheets, etc.   At that point, I looked at the birthing pool and decided that D could set it up when she got there, if we still wanted to use it.   Hubby went to get his work laptop and updated the job he'd been working on, he also called and told the dispatcher to take him out of rotation, because we were finally having a baby!  Even that guy sounded like he didn't believe us!!  Sheesh!  

At 4am, D called to check on us and Hubby told her the contractions were getting really strong and only 3 minutes apart.   She asked if he wanted her to start speeding, because they were still half an hour away.  ;-)    By now, I had requested that Hubby sit beside the bed and I would hold his hands from the side of the bed.  It was working pretty well for us, especially since I am used to very limited range of motion during labor.  My hands are usually pricked with a painful iv and needles, with monitors strapped to my belly the whole time.  Being able to stay in my own bed and have the lights down low was great!

When D and her assistant got there at 4:40, I was in full blown transistion, although I still didn't believe it at the time.   I start shivering during transistion with every labor, and my teeth were chattering away when they walked in the door.   She listened to Baby Z's heartbeat for one contraction and then gave us an estimate that I was probably at least at 7cm by now.   We opted out of "checking" because of how hard and fast my contractions already were.

It seemed like 5 minutes after she said that, I was feeling a strong pinch and next thing I knew, my water was breaking!   Hubby had to help her yank my pajama bottoms off because little man was about to be born into my blue sweatpants!  As soon as my water broke, I felt like I had to push and his head came out right away.  One more strong push to get his shoulders through and he was out!   I was in shock that we were actually done, because D had to tell me, "Grab your baby Jana!  He's right here, grab your baby!"   That's when I looked down and realized, "Wow, he's actually here!!"   5:22am, he was finally here! 

The kids woke up right on cue at 6:30am and Hubby walked them into our room to see their new brother.  They were all surprised that he came in the middle of the night while they were sleeping!   Soon after labor, baby and I had had a warm bath, gotten all cleaned up, and we were laying in Mommy's bed.  By far the easiest and most relaxed labor I have ever had!  I couldn't believe how smoothly it went.  3 1/2 hours from start to finish, and no complications along the way.  I know they aren't all like that, but for our 1st homebirth, I couldn't be happier!!

*Oh, I found out afterward that D actually thought I was already fully dilated when she got there, but she didn't want to say "10cm" just in case it was a little bit longer.  Ha, smart lady. 

Baby Story???

If we're IRL (in real life) friends, or friends on FB then you already know we finally had our precious little man!!!   He made his triumphal entry on January 31st at 5:22am.    He's so adorable and I can't wait to share our birth story with you guys.  But, it's going to have to wait until I can get a little bit of sleep, or can at least dictate to someone who has two free arms to type with! 

6 years ago

6 years ago today, Hubby & I were holding hands, watching over him as the last bit of life left our precious little son, Elijah.   God has brought us up and down some pretty big roller coasters since then, but we've grown so much that we wouldn't change a thing.  Tonight, I am sitting here, having *some* contractions, praying that this little blessing would come meet us soon.   Without Elijah and his mark on our lives, we might not even be looking forward to Baby Z's birth.   It was his impact and the lessons God taught afterward that brought to the conclusion that children are a blessing.  Period.  No numbers attached, no quotas, no ifs, ands or buts.    I can't wait to see his little face and count each little finger and toe.  I know that sleepless nights, teething, and diaper rashes await me.  I know that having 4 children and homeschooling is a challenge that I will need to rise to.   But, I know that I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I am so thankful for the place He has planted me, and the task He has given me.    Now, come on Baby Z!  Mama's ready to try this homebirth thing out!!   

 

Managers of their...moods?

If you asked what my "Fruit of the Spirit" looked like lately, I'd have to admit, pretty rotten.    The last few weeks of pregnancy for me are always hard.  I struggle with not being in control of situations, it's a huge area God is constantly dealing with me about.   So, to always have babies that insist on coming a week or so past their due dates is pretty frustrating.    Not that due dates are something to really go by anyway.  If this pregnancy has shown us anything, it's that there are no guarantees about something as intricate conception and gestation!   For me, having an out-of-whack cycle in the first place made getting pregnant while nursing even more adventurous.  The due date we were going by originally is more like 42+ weeks.    So, instead, I should be 40 weeks RIGHT NOW and I am measuring that, dead on.   


I also have a lot of Natural Pregnancy Contractions,or Braxton-Hicks contractions starting around 25-30 weeks.   A lot.  Like, 5-14 hours worth in one evening?!     Enough that we had to go to the hospital and try to stop them a couple of weeks ago.  Of course, at that point, we thought we were too early, around 33-34 weeks.   Then, it turned out that according to the ultrasound, we were probably more like 36 weeks already and it would have been safe to go ahead and let labor progress.   Now, I'm afraid we've scared the little guy into staying put!  He's probably thinking, "Well, I already tried this one time and it didn't work out so hot...." 


:-/

Because of our hospital encounter and thinking that Little Bit might be trying to come pretty soon, we started cleaning and organizing like crazy.   I drove Hubby a little nuts with all the Honey Do's for a few days.  So, of course, now that we've relaxed and the house is back to its, um, normal state, he will probably decide to come.  Ha.   Pray for my peace of minds, friends!    

11 Step Program to Complete Before Having Children

(This is too cute.  It was passed in an email and I thought I'd share.  Even though it's pretty accurate, it's all still worth it!)


Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? T o find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.
Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

Going a little bit stir-crazy....

We had a wonderful Christmas and really enjoyed giving our families their homemade presents.   (I'll post some pictures of what we made once I can get them of his phone.)   The kids loved their one BIG present each from Mom and Dad, and for the most part, the grandparents did their part to not go overboard buying gifts.   

The contractions have continued, but nothing is really going on in the baby department.   I am measuring 40 weeks, but I've been measuring ahead the whole time.  Our dates are off because I was nursing Baby Girl when we got pregnant.   Basically, there is absolutely no definite answer as to what week I am.  It's something like 39 or 40.    We drove out to the midwife's office (an hour and a half away) on Monday.   One of my awesome friends watched the kiddos and Hubby & I were able to go by ourselves. 

It's amazing to have that much time for conversation in just one day!  God is really opening our eyes to some new ideas for our family.   Reading that one little book has catapulted some things into place that I had no idea were in the works.   Apparently, God has been working on Hubby's heart for a while, and I had no clue!    I'll share some more with you once I get all my thoughts in line on the topic.  

Right now, all I can think about is when is this baby coming!?!?!

Baby Update

So, we've had an eventful week.   Monday, around 11am, I was feeling kind of cranky because my stomach kept hurting, I was dehydrated, and I was having (what I thought were) a lot Braxton-Hicks contractions.  Which isn't unusual for me during my last few weeks of pregnancy, I basically walk around contracting all the time.  But, after lunch, and after I had the little guys down for a nap, I felt a lot worse.    Hubby came home just at the right time, and I was able to pass off Xman and his schoolwork to him so that I could go lay down. 

Once I got to the room and tried to lay down for a nap, I felt even worse.  My side was cramping and I felt like I was in a contraction that would NOT END!  Standing didn't help, laying down didn't help, rocking on my hands and knees didn't help.  Nothing was making this cramp go away!  Finally, I called Hubby (on my cell phone, hehe) to come from the living room and help me.  

We called our midwife, and she told us to just go ahead and go to ER, because it sounded pretty bad to her.   She was mainly worried about a placental abruption, I was worried about appendicitis, we were all worried.    I told Hubby that I couldn't possibly sit up in the car and let him drive me to the hospital.   So, we used our handy-dandy insurance and called an ambulance.  Even though that was 8 million times bumpier, I was at least laying down flat and  they were able to bring me straight upstairs to the labor and delivery floor.  I also figured that if we went in on our own, we'd get stuck waiting in the doggone lobby for who knows how long.   

The nurse who checked me into Triage said that what I was describing sounded like a "round ligament pain" and given that I was very dehydrated, it very well could have been the ligament cramping.    After they had ruled out the dangerous things, I was just ready for someone to make the pain stop!   We ended up waiting about 2 hours before the pain subsided, and that's when the contractions started! 

I had steady contractions every 2-4 minutes for hours and hours.  They started giving me a shot to make them stop, and then started an iv of magnesium sulfate to try and relax the contractions.   All of this was based on the fact that I was supposedly 34 weeks, according to my dates, and it was a little bit early for Baby Z to make his entrance.

Of all the funny things, the doctor on-call was the doctor who delivered Baby Girl and the nurse was the same nurse who helped deliver as well!!!   We got a kick out of that, especially since we decided to go with a midwife instead of returning to him this time, ha!   Anyway, he said we would need to stay overnight and keep trying to stop these contractions.    So, I got to stay all night, having people poke and prod and take temperatures and give steroids for the baby's lungs, etc.  It was exhausting just trying to rest! 

The next morning, my contractions had somewhat slowed down and I (might have fibbed a little and said I) wasn't feeling them anymore, so they started talking about letting us go home.   Then I confirmed with the Dr. that my ultrasound had actually placed us 2 weeks ahead of my due date, so he was like, "Oh! Well, that would make you 36 weeks instead.  You're fine to deliver at 36 weeks, so you can go home and if it starts again, just let it go."   He even said that if he'd known that the day before, he wouldn't have given us anything to stop the contracting.     Hmmmm.  So, kind of glad that he didn't know, because now we can still have the homebirth we were planning on.  But, it definitely looks like Baby Z will be coming sooner than we anticipated.

Every time I stand up, I feel tightening and if I walk around the house much, I start contracting again.  So, who knows!  Hopefully, our birth kit will get here in time and the bassinet will get assembled before he actually arrives.  Maybe he'll also be a good little boy and wait until Daddy's days off this weekend or next!   Well, that's our news from the home front!  More later!

8 weeks???

What??  I'm having a baby in just a few weeks?   How in the world did that happen?  Of course they also happen to be 8 of the busiest weeks of the season, so they will probably FLY right by.  Which isn't necessarily a good thing, because I am prone to procrastination and could use some extra time for all these unfinished projects floating around in my head.    Yikes!

At least I know where the baby clothes and blankets are.  And I'm pretty sure I remember how to change, diaper and feed one....  We'll just wing the rest I suppose.    Hm, I could use some freezer meals though, and that will require cooking/meal planning in advance.    (I can hear Hubby's roaring laughter as I type.)  

Oh, and I was supposed to be potty training Little Sister so that we only have ONE in diapers this time.   Because reading that whole book on Infant potty training apparently didn't rub off on me like I hoped.  The part where it's the mom doing most of the work just didn't sit well with my current lazy bone.  Sigh.  Might try that idea again on this little guy, we'll see.   Or, let's be honest, I might throw it on the back burner and let it ride out the rest of its days with all my other well-intentioned plans and ideas.   

I'm merely here to give you guys hope.   *wink*

BORing......

Wow, haven't blogged in a while, huh?   It's not because I don't have anything at all to say, I just haven't had anything of worth to say.  We honestly haven't done anything interesting here.    It's still smokin' hot outside, so we've been going out in spurts because Mommy can't stand being hot while pregnant.    We've been plugging away at school, using our new curriculum from Christian Liberty Press.   
I'm struggling with keeping Little Man and Little Sis out of the way/occupied/learning while XMan does his work.   He absolutely cannot will not focus while they're in the room.   Then, when I try to put him in a separate area, he constantly gets up and comes to ask me questions!  I'm also trying to use a timer with him a lot because he tends to dawdle quite a bit.   If anyone has any tips for overcoming these areas, feel free to share!  
So, other than being pregnant and trying to keep the house running with 3 children and a busy husband, it's been kind of boring around here...   I have been keeping up with all you interesting folks though!   

Baby...

We're having another boy!    The first picture I saw on the ultrasound monitor confirmed that loud and clear!    Baby Z will be here next January! 

First Week of School Update

So, let's see.  I had great intentions of starting bright and early Monday morning, but as usual, when I have great intentions, thing seem to quickly go into a tailspin.  Sunday night, we were calling our Dr. friend to say, um, Baby Girl has a bright spotty rash all over her face, neck and arms, and has had a fever since we left South Padre Island.   It looked similar to measles to me, according to everything I could look up online, so he said, "Ok, be at my office right before 8 and we'll get you in."    Thankfully Monday started out slow for Hubby as far as work went, so we were able to go to the dr. and then go get bloodwork done.  (Wouldn't you know it, their lab girl had called in sick, so we had to go to a diagnostic office nearby.)   Anyway, after that, we ended up running all over town getting other errands done and by 1 o'clock when we got home I said, "School can wait until tomorrow!"  

Tuesday, we started after breakfast and Little Man threw a ton of fits, Baby Girl had no clue why we weren't paying attention solely to her, and Xman whined like crazy.

Wednesday, things went a little smoother and Xman complained less.  Little Man was a bit more agreeable and even practiced his alphabet for about 10 minutes.   Baby Girl played with puzzles and her dolls while we worked. 

Thursday, Xman did a lot better and read all his assignments without complaining.  Little Man played puzzles and games with Baby Girl while we worked and it was a good morning!

Friday, Xman got a lesson in horticulture/free enterprise while he and I helped Daddy do tree work all day.   Little Man and Baby Girl went to Nana's and got to visit while we worked our tails off dragging tree limbs off after Daddy cut them down.   He earned a whopping $20 at the end of the day and he couldn't have been happier!   They're finishing up hauling off the limbs today and then moving on to mowing yards.  Poor Daddy, he doesn't get a day off even on his days off!    I think Xman got a full appreciation for how hard his Dad works all the time.  


**Thankfully, nobody else got the rash Baby Girl had!  My bloodwork showed immunity to measles, which was our main concern with being pregnant and all. **

"Birthsmart"

Having had 4 babies in 4 different hospitals, I can tell you this is not far from the truth!   Thank goodness I've never had to be rushed into c-section or anything, but the pitocin drip is always ready and waiting as we enter the delivery floor!  That's exactly why we're doing it differently this time.  Loving the experience of having a midwife and planning a homebirth! 

OK, sorry!  My blog won't show the whole screen b/c of the 3 column layout. Go to this link to see the video:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4t9lmTU_Ng

First "Real" Midwife Visit

This morning, our very sweet midwife came for my first official visit.  We've met with her before, I guess as a sort-of interview.   (To make sure we were sane enough to do a homebirth, etc, haha.)      Today was the start of my scheduled appointments.  
First of all, let me just say, it was very neat to finally have a baby visit where I didn't go into a bathroom, pee in a cup and pass it through a hole in the wall to gloved lab techs on the other side.    It was also very nice to just sit and talk to someone about my other labors and how they went!  We've never had an OB/GYN (even the nicest ones) that actually gave two rips about how the other births went!  My guess is they didn't really need to know, it would all go according to their hospital's routine when I got there anyway....  *cough*  Anyway.  
I am really looking forward to delivering this baby at home!  After 4 totally different hospitals and having the same outcome at each, it's time to move on to something better!  Personalized care that takes place right in the environment I'm already used to, and around germs I'm already immune to, ha.  



(Oh!  I also got to go try on the wedding dress today!  It's close.  She needs to make a few more adjustments and I will be able to wear it.  Hurray!)   

Can't believe I forgot to announce.....

that we're expecting again!!!  If we're friends on Facebook, you already knew that though...   I am feeling pretty good, just TIRED constantly.   Trying to power through it and keep doing the laundry at least, ha.   I haven't had too much nausea either, thank goodness!   Blog posts have been fewer and farther between due to the fact that I am folding clothes or, just thinking about a nap!   More soon!!    

Wow!! Check out this lady's birth story!

This is awesome!  Look at how this mama took control of her labor situation!   (Disclaimer: I have no idea what "Hypnobabies" is, I am just passing along the link!) 

Mom fires OB during birth

Baby Dedication

Here is our super, sweet, silly little sister, at the Baby Dedication we had at church on Mother's Day. Here she is with Nana, Daddy's Mom. Little Man asked if she was a "pwinseth?!" for church that day. :-) I completely forgot to get one by herself, so I added the other one just for the sake of it!

Miss Congeniality is 3 months old!

Hi! My name is Baby Girl. I am 3 months old today! My Mommy thinks I am too good to be true. She says it's because I am so calm and laid-back. Apparently the rest of my family is pretty high strung. She says God knew she just needed a little break. I like to sit back and laugh at my big brothers, they are so funny! When I wake up from my naps, I just lay there and play until Mommy comes to get me. Hope you have a great day!

Nursing Babies & Sleep Schedules

I mentioned something about demand-feeding in my "Not Me" post and Jessica caught on to it. I was already thinking about posting on it, so this is the perfect time!

When we had XMan, we had no clue what we were doing! He was a hefty 9.8lbs-er and he was hungry. ALL.THE.TIME. He reached a whopping 30lbs by the time he was a year old! I was nursing constantly and I had well-meaning people trying to tell me to supplement with formula, or give him rice cereal as a newborn, etc. etc. As a new mom, without a clue in the world, I listened to some of them. I think adding to his diet made him gain weight, instead of a constant diet of mommy's milk being his main nutrition. I also let people put a "stigma" on me about nursing in public, and I would go sit in the car, or a restroom to nurse him. We felt like outcasts because we had to go nurse and everyone else was watching the game still, or whatever.... How sad is that?

It also took him a while to start sleeping through the night. I tried to have him in his own room/crib from day one, and it really just became a hassle for me! I was walking to his room at night, instead of having him conveniently nearby. He didn't let go of the nighttime habit until he was about 8 months old.... By then I was losing my mind from a lack of sleep and exhaustion. Oh, and for the record, he slept on his stomach the entire time. He refused to sleep on his back, and would scream relentlessly when we tried. (Sorry Pediatricians!)

Needless to say, when Little Man came along, I had every intention of "putting him on a schedule" and getting him on my program from the start. Then came a house-move, and a cross-country move and living with other people on their own schedules, and all my best intentions flew out the window! We nursed when he was hungry, and he slept as well as he could at night. He was faster than his brother and slept throught the night at a speedy 3 months, ha. I also quit worrying so much about being in public when nursing, or about offending anyone. If you are eating in public, so can my child! Besides, no matter what kind of "wardrobe malfunction" I might have, it's gonna be way less than what you can see on Desperate Housewives!!

Oh, and both boys slept with us, at times, in bed on Mommy or Daddy's chest. Especially when they were very cranky or not feeling well. The extra comfort seemed to help them sleep better than anything else. They also both stopped nursing at 10 months, because they had a mouthful of sharp little teeth. I used formula for the remaining months, but I hope to not go through that with Baby Girl. It was too expensive!!

With Baby Girl, I once again thought I could do the scheduling routine strictly, from birth, and be okay with it. I read the Babywise books again. I read "My First 300 Babies," by Gladys West Hendrick. I read "Homegrown Kids" by Raymond and Dorothy Moore. (I recommend this one! It had a lot more than baby ideas.) I looked at attachment parenting sites to see what their take on it was. I grilled one of my friends who has had a lot of success with scheduling her babies. Have you noticed that I didn't just pray about it, or ask my husband what he thought?? I should have started there, don't you think?

In the end, what I came up with is that a good mix of the two is what our family needs. She needs a basic routine during the day, with me trying to keep her awake longer during the day. Sometimes she needs to nurse simply because she is stressed out, or when her tummy hurts - even if she just ate an hour ago. She likes to cuddle and I think she would rather be in a sling than in a bouncy seat all day. Crying is okay, and it won't hurt to let her cry once in a while, when I know for a fact that her other needs have been met. I also don't have to feel guilty for holding my snuggly little baby instead of making her tough it out all time. I don't think one specific regiment works for every baby. They have their own personalities and different needs. The boys didn't like to cuddle at all. They were both fine being in a swing or seat playing by themselves. Baby Girl likes to be around us more. She cries if she is left in a room by herself, as we have seen more than once at dinnertime!

Another factor was our sleeping arrangements. I am a very light sleeper and cannot get much sleep at all with a little one in the bed. I feel a lot more comfortable with her beside us in a bassinet. In a few more weeks she will be in her room, getting used to her pretty crib. But, if she needs to be held for a nap once in a while, Mommy's here little one! I'll even catch a few zzzz's with ya!

So, tell me what you guys did with your little ones! When did they "sleep through the night," and how much did they eat? Did you nurse consistently or bottle feed as well? How long did you do either one? Comment away!!