Olivia is seven months old today. I measured her at the doctor's office and she weighs 18 lbs 8 ounces and is 28 inches long. Wow! Time flies and so does her growth-- an inch and a pound this month!
In other news, I've figured out how to keep Olivia warm on our walks: For cold days, a blanket, jacket, hat and mittens are in order.
For cold and windy days, the car seat in the stroller so that she is protected from the wind and the car seat cover. She had her doll in there and seemed pretty happy. I think I will hang toys above next time.
Sleep training continues for both me and Olivia. I bought the book "Healthy Sleep Habits: Happy Child," and am reading it. The doctor says if your timing is perfect, you can have no crying. Hmmm... Well, Olivia takes two short naps a day--20-40 minutes each. But then she is tired around 5 or 5:30 in the evening. Friday through Sunday, I decided to go ahead and put her down at that time. Waking every three hours for milk and in between because she lost her pacifier, she slept until 5:30 am the first two nights. Last night, she slept until 7 am, only waking at 10:40 for 4.4 ounces of milk and 4:20 for 4 ounces of milk and a pacifier emergency around 11:30. We're doing better. Tonight, though, she wouldn't go to sleep until 7, and I figured as much because she napped in her cozy lair in the stroller while we walked at 3:30. Usually she doesn't nap that late. So far, I haven't let her cry more than a minute at a time. I understand what the doctor means about perfect timing--not just about when to start the bedtime routine, but also about when to end it and put her down "sleepy, but not asleep." Sometimes I miss it, she falls asleep in my arms, and I have to wake her up before putting her in the crib. Still working.... probably always will be! Who knew sleeping could be so hard! (And I am trying not to believe that if I don't get this right, Olivia will have sleep disorders all her life as my book says. I've decided just to be confident and move forward optimistically.)
She will NOT have sleep disorders all her life. That's why you are making the effort now. You can do it.
ReplyDeletePerfect timing is rare, but it happens and it will happen to you. Sleep is a struggle. Some days you get it "right," others you don't. You are helping her learn to go to sleep on her own. Once she learns that, she will start to wake less during the night. Or rather, she will wake and then go back to sleep without your help.
I got sleepy just reading that! :) Olivia is looking darling in the pics (as usual) ... love the one with her and Ringo and her super cute jeans!
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