Every baby is different! I have to keep remembering that when other people tell me that their babies are sleeping through the night. I have lots of excuses why Olivia is not. And, let me tell you, I have lots of experience in what does NOT work. The past two weeks have been particularly bad. (Excuse #1) Olivia's fifth tooth has cracked through the gums on top and the sixth one is almost there. The third and fourth (the top two) are still coming down, so all four are hurting her. (Excuse #2) Olivia is not eating solids well. Today I was overjoyed to get her to eat four tablespoons of oatmeal in the morning and one pack of sweet potatoes in the afternoon. That was the most solids she has eaten in days. She turned up her nose at the homemade sweet potatoes I gave her. (Excuse #3) I have to admit that I have tried letting Olivia cry it out for 15 minutes, but after that I didn't have the heart. (Things that haven't worked #1) Yes, I also admit that I tried rice cereal in her bottle, (#2) the sleep sheep, which is a plush animal that plays soothing noises that we are still using, and (#3) moving her bedtime earlier. (Note: Nicholas and I have decided that if we can't get things worked out by Thursday, we are going to try four nights of cry-it-out. Ugh! I hate it, but this just isn't working for anyone. I am EXHAUSTED!)
The past two nights have been the worst. Last night we put her to bed at 6:10, and she was up at 9:30, 10:00, 10:20, 10:40, 11:00, 1:30, 4:00, and then up for good at 5:00. I fed her at 9:30, 1:30, and 5. Today she took a 30 minute nap at 9 AM. I put her down for her second nap at 2 PM. She slept for literally five minutes and then woke up screaming. I am taking her to the doctor tomorrow. I have no idea what is wrong, but she usually isn't so fussy and she usually doesn't wake up screaming like this. And she is UP. She stands up and cries from the front of the crib or crawls to the end of the crib and tries to look out the door. My poor baby. Maybe it is just me, but I feel like this is beyond bad parenting. She had several screaming fits today as well. I know she has gas, but Mylecon isn't helping and I don't know what is causing it. I'm not sure if gas is the only problem or not.
In other news, Olivia is crawling all over the place now. We bought a carpet remnant and had it bound to have in the living room for her to crawl on.
And, here are my favorite 8-month pictures of Olivia. Family, just let me know which ones you want and I will have them printed and sent to you.
It is going to be ok. YOU are going to be ok. Take her to the MD and whatever the copay is...it will be money well spent to ease you mind. Ours was $10 and it was the best $10 to put my unease at ease.
ReplyDeleteI wish I were there to help..to hold her and give you some time as well. I know I am not her momma, but I would do my best so you could get yourself out of sleep debt. I know how that exhaustion feels...it consumes you.
Every baby IS different and just when you think you "got this under control" -- something changes the focus.
Look at me...I don't think Thurgood will ever be potty trained. I try not to dwell on it, but it eats at me.
I hope you find some comfort in my little comment. I really wish I were there...you are a GREAT mom and you have a BEAUTIFUL baby. Let me know if I can do anything..even from afar.
Cheers~
e
Hang in there! You are an amazing parent ... don't ever think otherwise!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I don't think I will ever have it figured out, but I hate it when we "back slide." We had her down to waking once or twice a night. Now this!
ReplyDeleteAnd, don't worry, Thurgood will get it. I've heard that they just have to be ready, and he will be in his own time. Even if that time is too far off for you!
Parenting is all about the two steps forward one step back. Sometimes two forward and two back, but you will always come out ahead. Just hang in there! It will get better soon.
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