Is a quietly sleeping baby at 8:30 at night. 8 days later, and Chase is starting to get the picture - just because Momma and Daddy leave the room, does not mean that the end of the world has come. I hope I'm not jinxing us, but it is such a lovely feeling to know that my baby boy (more boy than baby these days), is soundly and happily sleeping in his own room, all on his own. I know that there will be hiccups in his sleep as we pass different milestones, but finally there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks, Cecilia, for the book and advice!
It's All-Star night...possibly my second favorite sporting event of the entire year. The First Saturday in May will always be my favorite, and World Series time a close third, but I have such great memories of the All-Star game. It's the one night when nobody's an ass, and you just get to see people playing the sport that they love for the people that love them. While I think all professional athletes are grossly overpaid in the grand scheme of our economic system, I love nothing more than the smell of fresh-cut grass, the sound of cleats on dirt, the ceremonial jump over the baseline...baseball, in a word, is summer. If I'd either (1) been alive during WWII or (2) been born a boy, as expected, I would have followed every chance to play professionally. Since I discovered at an early age that I would not be an MLB All-Star, I decided to worship them instead. Some girls had Backstreet Boys posters, or Hansen, but I had Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, and Javier Lopez. I just knew that I was going to marry Derek Jeter...my dad used to tease me and say "Your baseball husband's on TV!" Then there was this whole gag that Joe Torre was my baseball father-in-law, and he's such an Eeyore...ah, my family is a little crazy.
So, needless to say, tonight is sentimental. Chipper is 40 (what?!?!), and this is likely his last All-Star game. Yeah...I cried when they introduced him and he got such a great response. Isn't it crazy how this man I've never met has come to symbolize an ideal? He's such an all-around great player and leader. He's overcome injury after injury, and hasn't chased fame and fortune. In a world of steroids and corruption, he's stayed true to himself and his team. He didn't chase a higher dollar contract when he was a free agent; he stayed with his team because he loves his team. I hope they move him onto the coaching staff for the Braves...I just don't know how the team will be the same without him.
We're having some pretty awesome storms tonight, so I should probably close the computer and go fold clothes. Ugh...worst chore ever. I don't mind any other chore, really, but I CANNOT STAND folding clothes. But nobody else can do it, because I'm also annoyingly picky about how things are folded, and my dear husband tries, but he doesn't even fold towels "right." I could say I love him anyway, but I think that statement should be reversed in this case.
Go National League!
LC
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
I briefly mentioned in my first post that Chase is a gleeful little tyrant when it comes to bed and sleeping. Yesterday, we started to make a change. Hoo-boy, let me tell you what. If I weren't so exhausted, and so ready to have a routine that works, I don't know if I could do this. This being crying it out.
I did research, read all the no cry suggestions, all the cry suggestions, and came to the conclusion that we were slaves to an idea that Chase could not cry. Ever. And let's face it, babies cry. Chase has entered the phase of toddlerhood, so he cries when a toy doesn't work, he doesn't get his way, he'd rather have a graham cracker than green beens....you get the picture. Sometimes, I'm sure he's yelling baby-speak obscenities at me. Last night, he definitely was.
We started a bedtime routine. We eat, and then all settle in to watch Jeopardy. Chase loves the sounds effects, and it gives him some good Daddy-Son time. Since it's summer, Charlie works pretty late (HVAC in the South), so we can't do a very early bedtime. I mean, we could, but I'm not going to rob the boys of their time together. So then at Final Jeopardy time, we clean up the toys and start talking about getting ready for bed. Then, it's bath time. Chase loves the bath, but always hates getting out, and will cry at least a little while we're wrapping him in a towel. We dry off and sing "How'd You Like to Swing on a Star," making all the animal noises as we get into PJs. Then I sit in the rocker with Chase, and Charlie in the desk chair that we rolled into his room, and Charlie reads. We read books that we parents will enjoy, too. So far, it's been a Tolkein tribute - the LOTR trilogy came first, and now we're in The Hobbit. Next up is Peter
Pan. Anyway, then Charlie turns on the turtle (http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Twilight-Constellation-Night-Turtle/dp/B000BNQC58), and says night night. I sing Chase two songs ("Lullaby" by the Dixie Chicks and "All Through the Night" - Peter, Paul, and Mary Version), and then put him down. At least, that's what we did last night. Before then it's been rock him to sleep, get up, walk slowly to the crib, pray he doesn't wake up, and e-v-e-r-s-o-g-e-n-t-l-y put him down. More times than not, he pops back up, and I would start over. Instead of being a smooth, simple process, bedtime was a battle....and a long on at that. But we didn't want tears...so that's how we did it. Now, the smart little munchkin knew that. He would work as hard as he could each night to not go to sleep, and to keep mommy or daddy in the room. Which then translated into needing one of us (ahem, me), to put him back to sleep if he woke up in the night. Seriously, 400+ days of this.
So, last night, we cried. Well, Charlie didn't, but I did, and Chase did. Chase was so confused at first, and then just plain MAD. But he went to sleep. It took around an hour, which definitely could have been worse, but it felt like an eternity. I played Temple Run so that I wouldn't watch the clock. We checked on him at 3 min, then 5 min, then 10 min, and then at the 15 mark, he started to calm down. We stayed out that time (Charlie's work phone rang and startled everyone), but then Chase was asleep. He stirred around midnight, but went back to sleep on his own. 3 a.m. he woke up, and was heavy wet and showing some signs of teething pain, so I changed him and gave him some Tylenol, gave him a big hug, but then laid him back down, when I would have normally sat and rocked him. I stood by his bed, and shhhed and said night-night, and then gradually left the room, doing the same thing. He whimpered, and cried a little, but went to sleep.
I hope that night 2 is easier. I know there are more pros on this than there are cons. We just saw the doctor, so I know he's healthy as a horse, besides the teething. But we treat that an hour before bedtime, so I know the medicine has taken effect. I look forward to quiet evenings with my husband again, catching up on my school prep, watching pointless TV, and, well...doing whatever I want, short of playing the tuba, knowing that my son is well-rested.
LC
P.S. Yesterday was hard for another reason. It was the 27th birthday of my best friend who passed away from a hard battle with cancer 6 years ago. I'll tell you about Lyssa one day, but I now have to take a moment to be thankful for the stress and battles of motherhood, because I lived to have this chance. I am thankful for the chance to complain, for the crying that wakes me in the night, for the baby kisses, because I am alive. So, in other words, I'm going to stop wallowing now.
I did research, read all the no cry suggestions, all the cry suggestions, and came to the conclusion that we were slaves to an idea that Chase could not cry. Ever. And let's face it, babies cry. Chase has entered the phase of toddlerhood, so he cries when a toy doesn't work, he doesn't get his way, he'd rather have a graham cracker than green beens....you get the picture. Sometimes, I'm sure he's yelling baby-speak obscenities at me. Last night, he definitely was.
We started a bedtime routine. We eat, and then all settle in to watch Jeopardy. Chase loves the sounds effects, and it gives him some good Daddy-Son time. Since it's summer, Charlie works pretty late (HVAC in the South), so we can't do a very early bedtime. I mean, we could, but I'm not going to rob the boys of their time together. So then at Final Jeopardy time, we clean up the toys and start talking about getting ready for bed. Then, it's bath time. Chase loves the bath, but always hates getting out, and will cry at least a little while we're wrapping him in a towel. We dry off and sing "How'd You Like to Swing on a Star," making all the animal noises as we get into PJs. Then I sit in the rocker with Chase, and Charlie in the desk chair that we rolled into his room, and Charlie reads. We read books that we parents will enjoy, too. So far, it's been a Tolkein tribute - the LOTR trilogy came first, and now we're in The Hobbit. Next up is Peter
Pan. Anyway, then Charlie turns on the turtle (http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Twilight-Constellation-Night-Turtle/dp/B000BNQC58), and says night night. I sing Chase two songs ("Lullaby" by the Dixie Chicks and "All Through the Night" - Peter, Paul, and Mary Version), and then put him down. At least, that's what we did last night. Before then it's been rock him to sleep, get up, walk slowly to the crib, pray he doesn't wake up, and e-v-e-r-s-o-g-e-n-t-l-y put him down. More times than not, he pops back up, and I would start over. Instead of being a smooth, simple process, bedtime was a battle....and a long on at that. But we didn't want tears...so that's how we did it. Now, the smart little munchkin knew that. He would work as hard as he could each night to not go to sleep, and to keep mommy or daddy in the room. Which then translated into needing one of us (ahem, me), to put him back to sleep if he woke up in the night. Seriously, 400+ days of this.
So, last night, we cried. Well, Charlie didn't, but I did, and Chase did. Chase was so confused at first, and then just plain MAD. But he went to sleep. It took around an hour, which definitely could have been worse, but it felt like an eternity. I played Temple Run so that I wouldn't watch the clock. We checked on him at 3 min, then 5 min, then 10 min, and then at the 15 mark, he started to calm down. We stayed out that time (Charlie's work phone rang and startled everyone), but then Chase was asleep. He stirred around midnight, but went back to sleep on his own. 3 a.m. he woke up, and was heavy wet and showing some signs of teething pain, so I changed him and gave him some Tylenol, gave him a big hug, but then laid him back down, when I would have normally sat and rocked him. I stood by his bed, and shhhed and said night-night, and then gradually left the room, doing the same thing. He whimpered, and cried a little, but went to sleep.
I hope that night 2 is easier. I know there are more pros on this than there are cons. We just saw the doctor, so I know he's healthy as a horse, besides the teething. But we treat that an hour before bedtime, so I know the medicine has taken effect. I look forward to quiet evenings with my husband again, catching up on my school prep, watching pointless TV, and, well...doing whatever I want, short of playing the tuba, knowing that my son is well-rested.
LC
P.S. Yesterday was hard for another reason. It was the 27th birthday of my best friend who passed away from a hard battle with cancer 6 years ago. I'll tell you about Lyssa one day, but I now have to take a moment to be thankful for the stress and battles of motherhood, because I lived to have this chance. I am thankful for the chance to complain, for the crying that wakes me in the night, for the baby kisses, because I am alive. So, in other words, I'm going to stop wallowing now.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Hello My Name Is...
I have given up a good fight, and joined the mommy blogger-sphere. I'm not sure why I fought it exactly; I have often found myself feeling slightly creepy as I read other blogs, without giving any of myself back to the original author. But maybe it's an innate fear that I just don't have anything truly important or interesting to say. The question that I pose to my students all the time is shouting in my own head: Does any written work hold worth without a reader? There is no right or wrong answer in my classroom, simply how well one can argue his/her response. But here...in the vast, scary, empty world of .com, is there a right answer? Am I seeking validation from the outside, or simply a place to voice my own thoughts, relieve my creative tension, or bitch and moan about life in general?
Eh, who cares. I'm writing it anyway. Feel free to read and enjoy, or...not. Like I said, vast world of .com out there; I'm sure something will float your boat, and I'm okay if that's not me.
So, fair disclaimer - just the basic facts (can you show me where it hurts? / There is no pain you are receding...) and you can make up your own mind if my ramblings will entertain you.
Me: 26, married to my high school sweetheart, Charlie (gag me sweet, right? it's the simplest explanation right now), mom of 1 (Chase - boy, crazy smart, funny, won't sleep on his own or all through the night @ 15 months), English teacher (and no, I'm not worrying about syntax and grammar in this post), guitar player (acoustic; Martin), alto, southern, crocheter, lazy cook.
Interests: my family, writing, reading, dancing without rhythm, finding new recipes I will probably never cook, crafty things, debates, the power of language
I will make random and oblique references to songs and books. I am sarcastic, but will cry at stupid Hallmark movies. I am the eternal and annoying juxtaposition that is woman, and if you don't understand what that means...well, you may be lucky, or you may be lonely. Or both. I am opinionated, but I celebrate that your opinions are different from mine. I think there is a great deal that could be settled peacefully in this world if people truly understood compromise. I'm not exactly religious because I despise that it can be used as a weapon of hatred and bigotry (any religion, any time in history), but I am a spiritual person. I want to trust people and look for the best in people, but if you betray that trust, or hurt those I love, you will have to complete the tasks of Hercules for me to ever forget that. Forgive...possibly. Forget, not so much.
I think I have rambled enough for the night. I should sleep while Chase does, and the sheets still have to go on the bed. Tomorrow starts sleep training in earnest. After almost a year and a half of being a slave to my child's sleep schedule, or lack there of, Charlie and I will be attempting the modified CIO method. And remember, if you disagree with that, your opinion is great and wonderful, and the vast world of .com will validate you. My little corner of it, however, will not.
So now, till we meet again....Adios, Au Revior, Alvederzane, Goodnight! (Bonus cool points if you get that reference without Google. Hint: I grew up with the 5 basic channels.)
LC
Eh, who cares. I'm writing it anyway. Feel free to read and enjoy, or...not. Like I said, vast world of .com out there; I'm sure something will float your boat, and I'm okay if that's not me.
So, fair disclaimer - just the basic facts (can you show me where it hurts? / There is no pain you are receding...) and you can make up your own mind if my ramblings will entertain you.
Me: 26, married to my high school sweetheart, Charlie (gag me sweet, right? it's the simplest explanation right now), mom of 1 (Chase - boy, crazy smart, funny, won't sleep on his own or all through the night @ 15 months), English teacher (and no, I'm not worrying about syntax and grammar in this post), guitar player (acoustic; Martin), alto, southern, crocheter, lazy cook.
Interests: my family, writing, reading, dancing without rhythm, finding new recipes I will probably never cook, crafty things, debates, the power of language
I will make random and oblique references to songs and books. I am sarcastic, but will cry at stupid Hallmark movies. I am the eternal and annoying juxtaposition that is woman, and if you don't understand what that means...well, you may be lucky, or you may be lonely. Or both. I am opinionated, but I celebrate that your opinions are different from mine. I think there is a great deal that could be settled peacefully in this world if people truly understood compromise. I'm not exactly religious because I despise that it can be used as a weapon of hatred and bigotry (any religion, any time in history), but I am a spiritual person. I want to trust people and look for the best in people, but if you betray that trust, or hurt those I love, you will have to complete the tasks of Hercules for me to ever forget that. Forgive...possibly. Forget, not so much.
I think I have rambled enough for the night. I should sleep while Chase does, and the sheets still have to go on the bed. Tomorrow starts sleep training in earnest. After almost a year and a half of being a slave to my child's sleep schedule, or lack there of, Charlie and I will be attempting the modified CIO method. And remember, if you disagree with that, your opinion is great and wonderful, and the vast world of .com will validate you. My little corner of it, however, will not.
So now, till we meet again....Adios, Au Revior, Alvederzane, Goodnight! (Bonus cool points if you get that reference without Google. Hint: I grew up with the 5 basic channels.)
LC
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