Baby Walks, Baby Sleeps, Baby Cries
Asher’s life has recently changed in several big ways.
More Good: Baby Sleeps
We decided our crowded sleep life had advanced to the point of no return, so we have taken the plunge and moved Asher out of our bed. Wednesday night was our first night with him in his crib. When we put him down awake at 9:30 p.m., he was so tired that he didn’t protest more than a couple of minutes. I was braced for an hour of crying before he dropped off to dreamland, but it didn’t happen. (I was afraid he’d keep Lucas awake too.) Asher woke up three times during the night. I nursed him at 12:45 a.m. and then I couldn’t get back to sleep! I was so anxious about his next waking that I just tossed and turned for two hours waiting for his cry and listening to my bed-buddy snoring. He woke two more times, and I fearfully put him back down in his crib after some rocking. He cried for a few seconds each time, but otherwise went right to sleep again. By yesterday morning, I was exhausted, but Asher had spent the night in his own bed, until around 6ish. This is a major victory for us all.
Last night, we put him down at 9:00 p.m. He was still awake but very drowsy and immediately put his head down and went to sleep. NO CRYING. At ALL. I can’t tell you how relieved I was, or rather, I’ll tell you why in a moment. Here’s the best part of my story: HE SLEPT IN HIS BED ALL NIGHT WITHOUT WAKING ONCE! Seriously. This is glorious! This was my first night in 16 months and 27 days that I had a whole night of uninterrupted sleep. Actually, since I got pregnant in May of 2006! I’m so thrilled I might write an opera about it! At the very least, I’ll shout my victory from the rooftops and bore you all to death. (Anybody still reading?) This morning Asher woke up at around 6:45 a.m.; he was cheerful and fine.
So the night sleeping thing is going better than expected. I kinda think I might miss cuddling with him during the night at some point, but frankly, it’s nice being able to cuddle with my first love again. Ian is over the moon about getting the baby out of our bed.
The Bad: Baby Cries
Yesterday, I put Asher down for a nap in his crib, something I’ve attempted to do at least a dozen times over the last year with no success. I figured it was a good day to start since he had spent the night there and since Lucas was away for the day. (Lucas gets very emotional if Asher cries and says things like, “Mommy, why are you being so mean to Asher? You should pick him up!”)
Asher was more than ready for a nap, and yet he cried and cried and cried. I thought he’d probably stop after 15 or 20 minutes. No such luck. He cried for an hour and 49 minutes before he fell asleep. I felt like a monster the whole time, listening to him crying and saying “Ma ma ma!” over and over. Generally speaking, I’m NOT a fan of the Let ‘Em Cry It Out school of sleep training. But I also know enough behavioral science via Ian that picking him up only would drag out the process, making it more painful for both of us. So Asher cried and I cried. (I also proofread.)
Eventually, he fell into an exhausted sleep … for a mere 31 minutes. When he woke, I went to him and rocked him. He promptly fell asleep again in my arms and slept for another 45 minutes. When he woke up, he was cheerful and his usual self. I kept looking for signs that he now hates me or any extra clinging, but I didn’t really see any. I am HOPING that when I put him down to nap again today it will be easier on us both than yesterday was.
June 27, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Yay for sleeping through the night! Sorry for the crying when you put him down for a nap. I feel your pain. We’ve started sleep training Amelia too. She’s doing pretty well with it so far. (Though tears have been shed by both baby and mommy.) She is now going to bed earlier in the evening and I love having evenings to myself again. We still co-sleep at night, but I think those days are coming to a close. She likes to wake me up by grabbing hold of my face and that is starting to get tiresome, especially since she can move more now and so can reach me when I try to get out of her way.
June 27, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Well done, mamacita.
June 27, 2008 at 2:09 pm
A whole night of uninterrupted sleep must have felt like a gift from heaven. It’s a sign of many night to come. Congrats and well done. I can’t begin to imagine what you (and all the mothers I know) have been through. And you have two beautiful boys.
June 27, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I know how much you treasure your sleep, and just how little you’ve been getting. Agh! Relief. So wonderful. And I have yet to see this little man walk, can’t wait. Love you.
June 27, 2008 at 7:40 pm
It sucks, doesn’t it? Somehow, with Asher I just got into the comfy habit of having him with me—no tears, no trials. I blame it on my illness last year: It made me grateful and soft.
June 27, 2008 at 7:42 pm
It was a gift from heaven! I know there are many many sleepless nights still ahead of me in this life, but I’m hoping that Asher will come to be a good sleeper someday. I dare to hope it will be someday soonish. Thanks for the compliment~
June 27, 2008 at 7:43 pm
The shitty sleep thing is the hardest part for me. Love you, too.
June 27, 2008 at 9:06 pm
HOORAY!!! Your victory is our victory, everyone wins when you’re happier.
June 28, 2008 at 2:07 am
Yay!! Congratulations!! This is wonderful news. I am sorry about the crying, but it will get batter. Enjoy the new found time with your husband.
I love you
~J~
June 30, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Ah, delicious sleep. I’m so happy you have been reunited with the joys of uninterrupted snoozing.