sleep training

Did I mention we are working on that again? It's all part of the weening process. LB is learning how to put himself to sleep. I know I know...he should've been doing that all along but I like cuddles and I like when my sweet boy allows me to cuddle him. Therefore I took full advantage of his sleep cuddles when I could. But we have started to notice that if we ever want a night out we must teach our sweet little man how to fall asleep on his own. He is actually doing really great at it. Especially for nap time. I simple tell him we are going to read two books, sing a song, and then take a nap. He normally falls asleep within 5 minutes of laying down. He loves reading his books so I think that really helps. Night time is a different story. I think part of it is because daddy is home and he knows his daddy is a sucker for cuddles and sweet hugs, so LB takes advantage of daddy's big arms wrapped around him. Really I don't blame him. I too like it when daddy wraps his arms around me. Slowly but surely he will be a sleeping champ. And we will celebrate by having a night out and giving LB lots of kisses and hugs that next morning.

Here are some sweet pictures of LB asleep in daddy's arms and us using that time for a photo op ;)

Daddy resisted hard but finally laid him on the floor for a bit. I continued to snap some pictures. I just couldn't help it, sleeping babies are the cutest!

 He always seems to sleep with one or both hands in the air. So cute

What does bedtime routine look like in your house? Have you always had a set one with your kiddos or does it vary by child or season (like say in the summer they go to bed later)?

sleep training

Yep. We are doing that again. I was hoping that once LB's ear infection went away he would go right back to his old routine but no such luck. He was waking every 3 hours and would only fall asleep laying next to us or being rocked by one of us. We couldn't keep doing that. So we have begun sleep training again. I would have started this weekend but W had to go out of town and I was not in the mood to do it alone so now that W is back we are starting again.

I am so thankful that Wade can handle doing the training part. It just breaks my heart and I give in too quickly. W on the other hand is a rock. Love that about him. Even though I know it also breaks his heart W is able to see the benefits at the end of the tunnel and therefore is able to stay strong. 

LB went to bed at 9pm last night and woke up at 10:30 screaming. He stayed strong on the crying until 11:20. W went in about every 5 minutes to check on him and comfort him but boy was that a long 50 minutes. He only woke up once more at 4am and W checked on him every 5 minutes and he fell back asleep after about 20 minutes. Then LB awoke at 6:45am and I fed him then he fell back asleep and is just now waking up again. 

Sleep training is not for the faint of heart but is oh so worth it in the end. I hope that this time LB remembers what a full night of sleep is and therefore it only takes one more night. *wishful thinking*

Anyways, I just wanted to share what is going on in our house in case any of you are going through it to or thinking about sleep training. It is not easy but is better for both the baby and parents in the long run. I'm here on the journey with you. Now better go get that cute boy of mine since he is awake :)