Thursday, November 25, 2010

Ocho.

I'm sure you know what that word means. It's Spanish for eight. As in, my baby is eight months old.

Whoa.

WHOA.

Can we just freeze time for a second? My heavens. It's flying by at lightning speed and we're not going to get any of it back.

Enough of that sappy drivel. We're about due for a picture, aren't we?


My, we're looking festive! Gobble, gobble!


I just love this little cuddly, squishy guy. His mobility has taken off and he's now full-on crawling every-which-where he wants to go. Even up the stairs, by golly. Thankfully, we have a gate at the top of the stairs so as to prevent any Humpty Dumpty situations from occurring; however, access at the bottom is still unrestricted. So naturally, he makes a little beeline straight to the stairs whenever I put him down. It's terribly cute to watch him wiggle his way up the stairs, Bubby cheering him on at the top. But I can't imagine how bad it'd be if he were to tumble down all 16 of those steps. As a result, I've taken to putting him in his high chair whenever we're downstairs and I am not able to hold him; in turn, he has taken to crying pitifully whenever I put him in his high chair. I suppose it's time to install a second gate so he can roam freely again. Poor kid's going to start dreading our lower level before too long.

Baby Guy also started saying "Mum Mum" whenever he wants me. Which is pretty often. So, I get to hear him say "Mum Mum" throughout the day and it usually melts my heart. Except when it's coming from down the hall at 3:00 a.m.

Speaking of which, I need your help, Dear Readers. My sweet baby, bless his soul, decided at some point during the last month or two that it's good to get up at some unholy hour every morning. Usually it's between midnight and 4:00. I am not used to babies who do not sleep peacefully for 12 hours straight at night. I realize that makes me sound like a spoiled brat, and I'm sorry for that. I know I'm lucky and I do not envy those of you who have had to routinely get up in the middle of the night with babies. I suppose I had it coming all along. Anyway, Baby Guy started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks, just like his sister, and showed no sign of stopping until recently. I chalked it up to illness and teething, but now? I can't figure it out. All the teeth have popped through (we're talking four top teeth in one week!) and he's as healthy as a horse now. Maybe his little internal clock is programmed now? Maybe he's training to work future graveyard shifts? In any case, I want my old baby back!

Help?

9 comments:

  1. quinn's had a few bouts of this as well. he's been a much better sleeper overall than ashli was. this week it's because he's back in a crib after being on a air mattress at my sister's house. to make this shorter (lol), CIO. it's working. for naps, i let him cry 20 min, then check on him. at night, i let him go for 10 min before going in and soothing him. good luck!

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  2. You know, my friend's baby just went through the exact same thing. He'd been a wonderful sleeper and around 8/9 months he started what you just described. It drove her nuts! From what I've been told, it lasted about 2-3 months (if I remember correctly) on and off and then he settled back into his old sleeping routine. Why do babies do that? Hmmm... no advice, just wanted to send hugs your way and hope he lets you get some rest again very soon!

    PS> He just keeps getting cuter and cuter! :)

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  3. Han goes through these phases every few months. Yes, she is almost 2. Arrrgg. I feel your pain. Each time I have to eventually just let her CIO esp after she weaned at 18mo. I don't let her cry forever-usually go in and let her know I'm here and give her some cuddles or some crib hugs and leave. Watch the clock cuz when they're crying it seems like 10 hours when it's only been 30 seconds. After 10 if he's winding down let him keep going, if not give a little more comfort. Basically the Ferber method. Good luck!

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  4. hi jenna, matthew has been having the same problem, since they are the same age. i have this book called healthy sleep habits, happy child. it says that at this age babies can still wake up for one feeding, but thats probably not your problem. it also says that at this age, babies are beggining to anxiety when you are away so they learn what will bring you. Anywho, what this has to do with sleep, he will keep getting up in the morning when you dont want him to as long as you keep going to him. if he isnt hungry or doesnt sound like he is in distress, your not suppose to go to him. I tried it with matthew because i was sick of getting up so early. He learned after a couple of days that i wasnt going to get him out of bed until a certain time. I know dont have to get him out of bed until 8 am. It is beautiful. Oh and i also like this book because it goes through every age of baby and toddlers and how their sleeping changes as their brain changes. it says most babies wont sleep through the night until nine months, so you are super lucky. I have often been jealous. : ) Good luck.

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  5. Sadly, I have no advice. Just a friendly "welcome to the club!" :) I still nurse my 11-month old once or twice at night. Yes, that may be pathetic but well they arent babies forever, and even though I'm cranky about it sometimes I know I'll miss it one day. :) I have never been able to do the cry it out thing, although it seems like when people do thy have success. Good luck whatever you decide! Hopefully it's just a phase and he'll go back on his own to the 12-hour schedule for you!

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  6. He's getting so big! What a cutie. As far as the sleeping thing goes, you probably just have to wait until he grows out of it. I heard somewhere that boys are more prone to night terrors, do you think that's what's going on? It makes sense, my boys still get up in the middle of the night sometimes. You could also try waiting until later to put him to bed. Instead of 6-7pm, try 8pm. Happy 8th month to the little guy!

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  7. What time does he usually eat before bed? What time does he usually go down? Carrie never really did this exactly (waking up at random), but there was a week or two when she got sick she got used to eating in the middle of the night. If it's not because he's waking up hungry, I don't really know what to tell you. But maybe a bedtime snack would help. Good luck!!

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  8. Shelby didnt start sleeping through the night until she was 12 months. I didnt think I would ever get a full nights sleep! I chalked it up to teething because once she would have a couple nights with out tossing and turning, sure enough, she'd start popping another tooth out and begin getting up every 3 hours.

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  9. He is getting so big! I am not looking forward to the stairs thing. When Alex was little we only had one story, now we have two

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