Sleep Training

I have had enough. I have had enough of waking up 13, 000 times a night to a baby that needs to be rocked, fed or cuddled. NOW don't get me wrong...I LOVE rocking, feeding and cuddling with him...but when I get ZERO sleep because of it, it becomes a bit tedious. I LOVE Zach, I love him more than anything. I want to watch him grow, play, love, become a Godly man. But, I also want him to sleep through the night!

So, Monday evening I decided we're going to start sleep training. Monday night was a little rough, he took an hour to go to sleep, was up quite often and needed a lot of our pick up/put down (PU/PD) method. It was a long night and I didn't get much sleep. I can tell you specific details if you want to know, since I am tracking to see if there is any pattern in his wake up times. But we did it. He stayed in his crib till 7:30am the next morning.

Nap time on Tuesday went OK. He slept well in the AM nap for about 45 minutes and went down easy-schmesy. Afternoon nap wasn't so successful. Took a while to get him down and then he only slept for 20 minutes. But since we are following the baby whisperers advice and trying to keep him on a 4 hour eat/sleep plan, it was time for him to eat. So only a 20 minute nap did he have. Jordan and I had an errand to run so we left him with a sitter. Came home, he wasn't the happiest baby, but he wasn't doing too badly. He was happy to see me. We had a good play, he was able to wind down and i put him down for a third cat nap. He slept for another 40 or so minutes.

I was worried about bedtime on Tuesday that it would take a long time, I would have a very upset baby and I would feel my tension start to rise and worried I may just relapse and go back to what works....BUT....he did fantastic!!!!!! He was asleep at night in 5 minutes with just one PU/PD. Almost every time he woke in the night, his soother and a pat on the bum were sufficient. YAY!!!! He woke at 4am for a feed, was back to sleep 1/2 hour later. Had to do 20 minutes of PU/PD at 6am, but then he slept till 8am!!! He then came into our bed for a little snuggle and to let him know we are still there, love him and want to snuggle him. I made sure he didn't fall asleep again so as not to associate coming to bed with me as sleep time anymore.

I know many people who advocate for co-sleeping, not sleep training and letting the child lead. But it just doesn't work for me. I can't/don't sleep well with others in my bed, especially snuggled right up next to me. I need sleep. I need sleep to be a good mom, because otherwise I'm touchy, angry, frustrated easily and it's not a good environment. This new sleep schedule will work for our family.

Nap time today is going OK so far. Jordan tried to put him to sleep, but Zach got way to upset. I know you're not supposed to take over, but I just can't give over my control like that and listen to Zach cry when I know I can stop it. I know, I know, it's not what I should be doing, but I'm working on small baby steps!!

So now, I am praying that sleep just gets better and better. I know we will have minor setbacks and I am prepared for them. I am preparing myself to not give up, continue with our efforts and I know we will be rewarded.

I can do this! Zach can do this! We can be a healthy, loving, SLEEP-FILLED family!!!!

Weeks 25 - 28

My lil guy is growing up sooooo fast! I can't believe that he is over 6 months already!! He's sitting up on his own, eating solid food, rolling over like crazy and laughing up a storm! I love him so very much and love seeing him grow up!

Setbacks

Well today was not a good day food wise. I don't know what came over me, but I just did not think today while eating. I kept putting things in my mouth than 5 minutes later wondering what happened. Why did I do that? Why didn't I stop myself? I ate too much. BUT I did something I never do....I didn't just continue to eat crap, I didn't just stop caring and give up, I stopped, I reevaluated and I decided to make a change at the next meal. So for supper I had a slimfast, oranges and a cottage cheese. I changed my pace before I spiraled out of control. I caught myself. I never catch myself and start over.

I know this time will be different. I know I will have setbacks or days where I don't think about what I'm eating, but instead of giving up and just throwing in the towel and eating more crap, I will start over. I will accomplish my goals!

Just thank goodness weigh in isn't till Thursday!!! :)

Week 3

Well Week 3 is officially done and I am proud to say that I have now lost 10.6 pounds since I started Weight Watchers!!!! WOOHOO!!!!! I think I am actually going to be able to stick with this. I have not wanted to "cheat" very many times and when I just can't resist I eat a little snack and then I document it honestly. I have managed to stay inside my point value...in fact I find it hard to get all my points in some days. I am truly loving the weight watchers program!! It is so easy to follow, easy to use (as there is an app on my phone!) and I'm finally being honest with it!!!!

I was hoping to get at least 3-4 walks in this upcoming week as well, but I have come down with a nasty cold making it really hard to breath when I get my breath going....so until this darn cold goes away looks like I'm benched!! But I figure as long as I keep my food going well I should still be to lose weight!

So here's hoping week 4 is as successful as the past 3!! :)

Here is the collages for weeks 21 - 24...basically up to 6 months. I think I labeled stuff wrong but I wasn't quite sure how to label the pictures! Technically this isn't his 6 month shot, so is it month 5? Oh well, I guess I may have to re-do all of them! But anyways, here it is!

Papa

August has NOT been a good month for me. August has been terrible. On August 1st I lost my father. It is the most tragic thing that has happened to me so far in this life. My family is crushed, my mother is without her Love, I'm without my dear Papa and my brother is without his Dad. I will one day write the details, but I just can't yet.

We miss him so much and I still find myself tearing up daily thinking about my precious Daddy.

One thing I am thankful for....he got to meet his Grandson, Zachary. He was soooooo proud of that little boy, he loved him so very much! I now know why God allowed me to get pregnant when I did.

Well my brain isn't working so well tonight and I think I need to go to bed. I know this was an odd post and I will post more about my Dad, but this is all I can handle tonight.

Here is the picture that we had at his funeral. Still makes me cry...miss you so much Papa.

3-in-1

Well I forgot to post the 3, 4 and 5 month collages! Enjoy!!

p.s. if anyone knows how to fix pictures effectively on a blog please help a sister out!! i had no idea how to move them....

Week 2

Well week 2 is finished and didn't do so well this time. I went up 2.8 lbs. I didn't eat well, but I was walking so I guess food is truly 90% of it all. I stuck to my points though so I'm not entirely sure why I went up so dramatically.

I recommitted after my last weigh-in and have been doing well again. Here's hoping this week can be a better week.

Today wasn't the greatest eating since we traveled all day today. I didn't get to drink my water (for fear of always having to pee!) and I had Wendy's for lunch. I tracked my food, I was honest, I didn't hide my fast food outing at all. I stayed within my points. Tomorrow if I can get up the will I need to go grocery shopping and get everything I need. But first, I think I need to prepare a detailed menu plan and grocery list so that I don't go off balance again.

This is hard! I love food, I love eating, I love tasting. I know it's not about denying, but in moderation, but it has to be about denying to an extent. I have to deny myself fast food everyday, I have to deny myself the pleasure of eating chocolate as I was. Now, how I was eating wasn't healthy, wasn't right and wasn't good for me. But it was wonderful. I truly believe I am addicted to food. I know it's not an excuse and I'm not using it as one to keep eating. I am done being fat and I know exactly what to do to get it to leave. Now if that will power of mine would just make the commitment to me and stick around!!

Week One

Well here I sit. Week one is done. I lost 3.8 pounds by just managing my food. I did manage a walk one morning, but I forgot to bring my shoes to the Sault so I had some BIG blisters from my sandals. Now I have my shoes and am just waiting for the next moment to walk. I like walking in the morning because it is fresh, cooler and gets my day going. I am hoping for more morning walks when my sweet little son wakes me up oh so early!

So back to the 3.8...woohoo!!!!! I think it's great and I want it to keep going. We have had several meals that weren't the best because we were out. Also, how does ice cream become so appealing the moment I am trying to eat healthier?!?!?!? But, anyways, I want to keep up the loss so I will keep trying, I will keep making wise decisions and I will keep drinking my water!!!

Gotta keep going, gotta keep losing, gotta do it!!!!!!!!!

It's a new day!