Picture Update

Hi there!

I haven't uploaded many pictures of our life lately so I thought this was a great time!

She doesn't like to sit in the seat that came with the walker but when we take it out, she loves to climb up through the middle. 

On the other side of this "wall" are a bunch of wires. I used to have to constantly chase after her when she'd go crawling for them. Until now. I'm genius.

She's a gamer.

I don't know why but I simply love to watch her dig into her toy baskets all by herself.

This was a rare moment that she let me cuddle her. She's pretty independent.

I love, love, love, watching this man be a dad.

HAHA.

She found that last picture as funny as you did!

Our niece and nephew were here this past weekend and Cali loves them.

She was trying to escape.

It's scary how much she looks like T in this picture.

Her morning smiles. 

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday!

Update on Sleep Training - 1 Week In

Guys.

It's happening.

I probably should keep my mouth shut and knock on 1,000 wooden surfaces but I'll take the risk.

Cali is sleeping. Naps and all and it's glorious. For the past week she has taken at least two 1 hour naps alone in her crib and today she took one that was 1 hour and 45 minutes! I nearly didn't know what to do with myself. So I cleaned. I know. I've lost my mojo.

As I mentioned last week we started a strict nap and bedtime schedule. In the past, I've gone by what they call "wake times" meaning you keep her up for a specific amount of time based on her age and then put her down for a nap. So she could take a nap at 9, 1, 3, and 5 one day and 8 and 2 the next just depending on what time she wakes up in the morning and how long each nap is. Since that obviously wasn't working for us I moved her to what is called "by the clock" naps, meaning she takes a nap at 9 and 1 every day no matter what. At first I was scared that she wouldn't make it and would just get over tired but by golly it's working. To add to that we've been doing a bedtime routine starting at 6:15 every night and in bed by 7. You can tell her body is finally getting the hint because when 6 o'clock rolls around, she starts rubbing her eyes and crawling into our laps. 

This is how she "carries" things with her. I think she learned it from our dog. We need to get her friends.

On top of the routines we've put in place, I started doing what is called the "Sleep Lady Shuffle" at bedtime. I know. It's a ridiculous name but I was desperate and it is working. So the premise of the "shuffle" is that you rock them until they're drowsy and then place them in the crib. Then you sit next to the crib and reassure them with touch and talking until they fall asleep. The plan says to sit right next to the crib for 3 days then move further and further away every few days until you're out the door. The first two nights were the hardest because I was changing things up on her and she was mad. But at least I was there with her to hold her hand and rub her back. Also, she was fighting sleep when I rocked her so either way I was going to get yelled at.

But then the third night, she just fell asleep. It was a miracle. the fourth night wasn't as great but she only fussed slightly for about 30 minutes. Then 15 minutes and the fifth and sixth night. Tonight she barely made a noise and was asleep in under 5 minutes.

I didn't really follow the exact rules and I'm still sitting right next to her crib but whatever. It's still working!

So that's what we've been up to… sleep training. It's good times in the Gustafson house. I'm actually getting things done. 

Like taking my cousin to Savannah to look at Savannah College of Art and Design.

T would like me to tell you that he does own other shirts.

What's sad is that Cali is almost 8 months old and this is only the 3rd picture we have of all three of us. T doesn't know it yet but I'm making him take some with us over Thanksgiving. 

Muwahaha.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'll be coming up with some Paleo Thanksgiving recipes and will be sharing them here over the next week. Pecan pie anyone???

Until then!

Re-evaluating, Sleep Training, and Gaining Perspective

Oh. Hi there.

Long time, no "see".

How have you been? Over here in our house we've been... well, tired. Tired, but good. 

The past few weeks have proven to be a huge leap as far as Cali's physical development. She's pulling up to stand, starting to scoot around the furniture, sitting up easily, and definitely "voicing" her opinions. It has been such a blessing to be able to watch her grow and gain independence. 

Hard, as a parent, but such a blessing.

These past few weeks I have also learned how my foot tastes. It's bitter, humbling, and a bit salty. You see, pre baby I knew exactly how I would parent. 

We would have a schedule, structure, by the clock feedings, set nap times, and we would never ever co sleep. 

Like, ever. 

And then I gave birth to Cali. One day her stubborness, determination, and strong will, will be positive attributes. But for now? I'm having to learn to adjust my expectations and go with the flow. 

You can say it's my parenting and that it's my fault she's a ridiculously bad sleeper. It's ok. I can take it. You won't say to me anything I haven't already said to myself. And you won't make me feel any worse than I already do. And maybe it's true. I definitely rocked her to sleep a few times and I definitely never let her cry it out. So yeah... maybe I did this.

Or maybe she's just a strong willed child. Or maybe it's a phase. I don't know.

Either way, the fact is, is that we're here. With her not sleeping anywhere other than next to me. 

Yes. You read that right. We're co-sleeping. 

At least, we have been.

It's not working for us right now. For one, T jerks in his sleep and has knocked me in the face a few times so I'm not comfortable with Cali in the same bed as him. That's left us in separate beds and T and I haven't slept in the same bed in weeks. On top of that, I have to go to bed when Cali goes to bed because as soon as I move she wakes up. Every waking moment - and I mean that literally - I have Cali attached to me and I haven't had alone time in too long. 

I need my alone time. For my sanity.

So here we are. We're starting a very rigid schedule hoping that her internal clock will set to it and she'll sleep better. We're also going to try the pick up/put down method for the next two weeks at bedtime to see if that helps at all. I'm fully expecting it to take 3 hours. HA. 

I'm just not ready to let her cry by herself. I'm not sure that I ever will be. But never say never is what I've learned. I do eventually have to get her to sleep by herself, whether that's in my bed or hers. I'm open to changing my mind and opinion because if there's one thing I've learned, it's to keep an open mind and never judge the way another parent does things. 

Because, well, your foot doesn't taste too good.