The World Makes Sense Again!

The little lady has been a horrible sleeper lately. Getting up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours and then not sleeping unless I'm holding her. Every time I'd put her down in her crib she'd wake right up crying. If Sean would hold her she'd think it was play time and want to be social so it was basically up to me to hold her all night long (if I wanted to get any sleep). I was at my wits end and decided that maybe she needed some structure on sleeping. Sean and I decided that we'd sleep train little miss Hannah. I really didn't want to do the "cry it out" method. It just didn't seem like a good fit for Hannah, me, and especially Sean. So I went online and did some research on sleep training. We came across the "no cry sleep solution". Sean and I read about it and actually agreed with a lot of it. So.... we decided to try it out. Here's how it works:
 Put your baby to sleep... When she wakes up the first time, pick her up, console her, calm her down, and put her right back down. If she fusses... repeat. One person said they got up 126 times to do this one night, then 36 the next, 4 the next, and finally had an all night sleeper. Hannah's first night I got up with her 4 times, the next 36, then 16, then 2. Then Sunday came around... her naps were off and she really didn't get a good solid nap in so needless to say that night was a very rough night. Monday night... success! She only got up twice! Once to nurse, the second just out of habit. I consoled her, put her down and she went right back to sleep! So I was feeling pretty good Tuesday. She had good naps throughout the day etc. When she woke up from her late nap she was really unhappy and grumpy. I consoled her, rocked her and she fell asleep again. But when she woke up she was as happy as can be.

As I was tickling her an hour or so later I noticed her mouth and a few extra teeth in there. I was shocked! I knew she was trying to get her two top teeth pushed through and finally did. But when I looked again I saw two more little buds of teeth! My little Hannah had been trying to push through 4 teeth at a time! No wonder she'd been so unhappy these past months! no wonder she wasn't sleeping! No wonder she wanted to be held! My poor little lady was in pain and trying so hard to get those teeth through! When I found this out I called Sean and told him. We both laughed and realized her sleepless nights were all for a reason and not just because she was a bad sleeper. It's funny how when you find out a reason to why things are happening it makes them that more bearable. Her teeth are just peeking through so I'd imagine we have many more sleepless nights ahead of us but at least there's reasoning behind it! (And for the record, whoever is reading this.... yes we've tried giving her Tylenol but she throws it up every time. She has teething toys, etc. The best thing for her is to let her push them out... beats cleaning throw up!) Teething tablets are a no go... basically anything that is helpful is not for this little lady. She's one of a kind! But we sure love her :)

Here's to more sleepless nights and teeth to come! haha :)

Enjoying the Moment

Hannah and I have been having some rough nights. Lately she's been getting up every 1 1/2 to hours crying or just plain ol' wanting to socialize. I don't have the heart (or the will power) to let her cry it out. I've heard/read/seen a lot of people do different strategies on how to get your baby to sleep. I guess I'm to attached to my little lady or something because I just don't like hearing her cry at night and let alone cry it out all by herself. I'm not dissing anyone who chooses to train your child this way, I'm simply choosing not to. Hannah's my first, I want to be able to enjoy every minute I can with her until the next little one comes along... even if it is every 1 1/2 to 2 hours at night. (As I write this it looks really good to me but when the time comes I'm not this positive haha.)

I was reading LDS Living magazine the other day and there was a quote in there that really stuck with me... "Don't dread your baby being up in the middle of the night. Use that time as a way to bond with him or her and it will be like no other time during the day." There have been a handful of times since Hannah's been born that Sean has woken up to check up on us in the middle of the night or early hours of the morning only to find me crying and at my wits end because I am so tired from being up with Hannah at night. When I read this quote it tugged at my heartstrings and felt like I needed to change my attitude. I really should enjoy these moments with her instead of getting upset because she's awake. I know it's hard but I am trying to be more positive with her in the wee hours of the morning and guess what... it works! I may have bags under my eyes, greasy hair, spit up, poop, pee or who knows what on my clothes but when I see my little lady look up at me with those big browns eyes an her toothy smile as if to say that she's the happiest baby in the world it makes it all worth it.

For the mean time, here's what Sean sent me when we had our rough night ;)

Easter Recap

Easter as super fun this year. We were able to spend it with Sean's family and have a little Easter Egg Hunt. So much fun! Hannah is really good at picking up things off the florr now when Sean is holding her. She looks like one of those claw toys that Wal Mart has with all those stuffed animals in them. We laugh every time and she squeals with delight.

Easter Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful Sacrament meeting and then had dinner at Sean's parents. SUCH. GOOD. FOOD. Oh how I love Easter and the meaning behind it. I love that we celebrate Christ's  resurrection. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for us. I am grateful for His love for me and my family. What an amazing feeling it is to have this in my life!

Here are a few pictures of Easter!

The Little Lady is 7 Months old!

I can't believe it! Times flies! Hannah is officially 7 months old today!

A few things Hannah loves:

Giggling

Smiling

Smacking mom in the face and neck

Being outside

Sitting up all by herself

Being held

Swinging

Being Thrown up in the air

A few things Hannah doesn't like:

Eating solids aka: baby food

Sleeping

Her carseat

Dresses

Bows

Headbands

Having sunscreen put on her

Me brushing her hair

Hannah has recently discovered the outside world (now that it's warm enough to go outside) and LOVES it! Grandma and Grandpa Bowman have a swing in their backyard and we put Hannah in it on Easter Sunday. She squealed with delight. We were a little worried She'd be scared of going too high but the higher daddy pushed her the more excited she got. She's our little dare devil! I have to say, even though she is a horrible sleeper and is getting her 3rd and 4th tooth she's such a happy baby and loves to smile. She's so much fun :)