We slept through the night!

This is how we found her yesterday after one of her naps - she was awake, but the flash made her close her eyes looking like she's still asleep.

So, since I seem to talk about sleep a lot - or lack of sleep - I figure I'd brag on the wonderful night we had last night. I am doing this with the full expectation of ruining ANY chances of re-capturing it in all of its glory ever again!

Last night Eden got tired about 30 minutes earlier than normal which wasn't surprising because she missed her morning nap because I had a doctor's appointment. She got 2 naps, but that just wasn't enough for her since she's got a schedule and she takes 3 naps a day now like clockwork! So, Lane gave her a bath at about 7:30 and then I fed her and put her down around 8-ish. She went down without a fuss and was obviously exhausted! She stirred at 11, but not even for a couple of minutes so I let her get back to sleep on her own - GO EDEN!!! Yay :) After that, I went to sleep around 11:30.

*This is where it gets good*

Lane had a flight this morning so we were awake early this morning...yes, we woke up this morning without being awake at all last night!!!! So, I went in to check on Eden around 6:30 and Lane followed me in there and I'm glad he did, because what I'm about to say is totally unbelievable, so I'm glad he saw it too. When we were in her room she started to stir, but rolled her face onto her paci. When she did that she reached up next to her ear to pick it up and put it in her mouth. When she put it in her mouth the first time it was completely backwards, so she kept turning it a little at a time and eventually got it in her mouth the right way and relaxed again. All of this paci business happened with her eyes closed and no frustration from her! She was so patient with it and I was so happy that she did it on her own without waking up.

Eden then woke up at 7:30 to eat, but then went back to sleep, as did I. When she was ready to wake up for the day she woke up at 10:30 this morning! I feel like a totally different woman from getting that much sleep!

Another Sleep Method

Well, as some of you already know, we've been battling sleep at night. Each day when Eden goes down for her naps, I begin to think that it will be easier at night than the night before - only to be proven wrong! We have been fighting Eden for an hour to an hour and a half at night to go to sleep...and then she's not sleeping through the night.

Last night Lane and I consulted a book that was given to us by his sister to see if it had any answers. When we started reading the chapter on sleep associations and how children rely on those associations we felt like someone had broken into our home and planted cameras and then watched Eden so they could write a book about it! It was that spot on. As we read we both looked at each other and laughed and said that we hoped the chapter didn't lead up to a big let down of something like "and this problem usually solves itself" or something of that nature. Well, it didn't, and as we were reading the solution - about an hour after Eden had FINALLY fallen asleep - she started crying again!

The solution to her sleep associations is that we are supposed to put her in her crib while she's still awake and not let her fall asleep in our arms. When we do this and she wakes up somewhere different than where she fell asleep it startles her and she doesn't know how to put herself back to sleep. We are also supposed  wait at increasing intervals before going in her room to comfort her if she does wake up. Last night we had to wait 3 minutes the first time, then 5, then 10 minutes. I never had to wait the 10 minutes so that was nice. She did however get up at least twice in the middle of the night. I did not feed her and she did go back to sleep - on her own, with little struggles.

Today when Eden woke up at 6, I knew I wasn't ready to start the day so I decided to feed her and put her right back down. She slept until 9 after that, and then I was ready to tackle what today might have in store for us! When I put her down for her nap at 11:00 I put her in her crib, wrapped her up, and left the room as she was settling in. I did not have to go into her room after I put her down and we're coming up on 2 hours of a nap. This is great and all, but remember the beginning of this when I said the better she goes down during the day means the more I have in store for me at night so we'll see how tonight goes!

Wow, Time Flies!

So, I guess it's been a while since I posted last. Every time I think about posting again, I'm not by the computer or something else is going on.

Mimi and Pop came for a visit at the beginning of the month. While they were here Lane and I were able to go out on our first date since Eden was born. It was a fun and exciting night. We had dinner at home with Mimi and Pop and then we went to the movies. We saw the new movie Knight and Day and it was a great break from reality for a few minutes. Eden did really well for Mimi and Pop, but did wake up just as we came home. I didn't mind because I was able to feed her again and I didn't have to pump. We were also able to go to downtown Milton for the fireworks show after a 4th of July cookout at a friends house. The show was great and Eden slept through it all until the finale, which she didn't seem to even notice.

Friday, Eden and I went with another mommy and her son to watch the Blue Angels perform over Pensacola Beach. The show was really neat and next year, or for the homecoming show, I will be more prepared for the show! I didn't take bathing suits for Eden or myself, we didn't have a single towel for any of the 4 of us, I didn't take a hat for Eden, and her fan was in the car that Lane had taken to work...Other than all of that, it was great! On the way home Eden read a book in the car and it was super cute to see her sitting there with a book in her lap.

Today, four other women and myself went for a photo shoot with a 50's pinup girl theme. It was fun, and a good experience. I can't say that I will do it again, not because it wasn't good, and not because the pictures aren't good (they actually turned out nice), but because I was WAY out of my element! Ha ha, I'm happy that I did it and glad to have some pictures that capture me in different light than normal!

Happy Father's Day!

Today Eden and I got to celebrate the love of our lives - her Daddy! We are blessed to have him in our lives as he's the one who takes care of us in the long run. He's always there to make sure we're safe, fed, and happy.

Eden and I started the day by waking up early to make Daddy's favorite muffins - honey bran muffins. We haven't found a store that carries the pre-packaged stuff, so we did the big kid thing and made them from scratch. I'd never done that before, so I was proud that they turned out yummy.

After breakfast and for the remainder of the day, Lane studied for his test that he has tomorrow. He has taken 2 tests and done some other physical stuff for grades in API and so far has a 97 average. It was a bummer to have to stay home all day to help him study, but we're willing to make those small sacrifices. Throughout the day when he would take study breaks he was able to spend time with us and we even had a chance to take some pictures! The one of Eden and Daddy doing tummy time together is my favorite so I'll be sure to share :)

Happy first Father's Day, Lane!!!!!!!!!!!

Milestones GALORE!

Our lives in the past 2 weeks have been filled with milestones for both Lane and Eden!

May 23: Lane got his promotion to 1st Lt
May 30: Eden was baptised at Dunwoody United Methodist Church in GA
June 3: Lane started API - the first part of flight school.
June 3: Eden rolled over for the first time...and she did it twice!

Wow, there have been so many BIG events in our lives that we have had lots of fun down here. Eden and I went to work early with Lane on Monday May 24 in order to be there for his promotion ceremony. He, along with 4 other Marines were promoted that morning.

Later that week we left for GA as a family. We arrived in GA on Thursday afternoon and were able to spend the long Memorial Day weekend with our families to celebrate Eden's baptism at our home church. It was a great weekend to catch up with family and have Eden baptised!

Just yesterday Lane was able to start API, which is the first portion of flight school that he will complete. While we are in Florida there are 3 portions of flight school that Lane will have to complete. Each school will become more and more specific to the aircraft that he will be assigned to fly. Also, yesterday, Eden rolled over for the first time! She rolled over twice from her belly to her back. Because she did it more than once I was able to get it on video for Lane to see! I was super excited and proud of her and I also got a little sad because it shows that she's growing up (something that I'm not quite ready for...I want her to be my little baby forever!)

Well Baby Visit

Today Eden got to go see her doctor again! We're trying to keep positive attitudes about being at the doctor so that she doesn't have anxiety towards going to and being at the doctors' office.

We had Eden's 2 month well baby appointment - even though she's almost 3 months old now! She weighed 10lbs 4oz and was 23 inches long. The doctor was very pleased with everything that he saw. She made sure to show off for him too! She held her head up for a long time, she talked to him, she laughed with him...and then there were shots! Eden had 3 shots today and an oral medication. The shots came as a shock to her when she got them. In the first seconds I didn't think she was going to cry, she just looked at us like she was confused, then came the sad lip, and then the red-faced-tears rolling-screaming. After all 3 shots were given and she had her Buggs Bunny band aids on we were able to hold her again and comfort her and she was happy again.

On the drive home Eden actually fell asleep and was out for the ride. She probably got about a 30 minute nap, which was all she got other than some power naps while at the doctor, all morning. When we tried to put her down for a nap this afternoon she didn't want to go to sleep in her cradle by herself, so I gave in and took a nap with her so she would sleep (this probably means I made her regress in her sleeping habits that were improving by leaps and bounds). Since her nap this afternoon she's been very, very fussy and tired. We did give her some Tylenol, but she's just wanted to sleep and be held this afternoon. I hope she starts to feel better soon, I don't like having a grumpy baby when there's nothing that we can do to help her feel better.

Next week we will travel to GA for Eden's baptism at Dunwoody United Methodist Church on Sunday. I will definitely add pictures and some information about that when we return home from the trip!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Well, life is full of firsts these days - first smiles, first coos, first time to hold her head up - and it was my turn today. I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mother.

I have a new appreciation for the day and for the mom's in my life now that I know (only a fraction) of the sacrifices they've made and the love that they've offered. I have only had my child in my life (out of the womb) for a little more than 2 months, so I know that there is a lot more to know and a lot more to learn about being a good parent, the good news is that I have great role models in my life to learn from!

To all the moms in the world, Happy Mother's Day! You are special and you give all that you have and more every day and without you we would not be who we are now!