Last night was the third night that Ava bug went down for bed without nursing and without co-sleeping. While the first night was most definitely the hardest (which really wasn't all that hard), the third night was a cake walk and I'm thinking that it's only going to get easier from here. My last blog post listed all the steps we took that assisted with easing Ava into this new routine. We did the same thing all three nights and the amount of time that it takes our girl to go down for bed has decreased from an hour and a half to ten minutes. I literally stayed by her bed for about six or seven minutes before I noticed that she was already passed out. That was the moment I knew that everything was going to be okay. Nap time has proven to be even easier than bedtime. Ava never looked for comfort nursing while napping, but then again she only sleeps for 1-2 hours during the day. Night time is when she would want to comfort nurse, and it's a 12 hour stretch, so it makes sense that bedtime would be more challenging.
I still haven't been emotional about this change and I'm extremely happy about that. We had almost 21 months of nursing and I don't feel as if I missed out on any type of connection, bonding experiences, or nourishment with my child. In fact, this entire experience has made me even more excited for trying to conceive our second babe. I've realized that I am not the type of mother that would be able to tandem nurse, or potentially revert back to nursing once I fell pregnant. I really needed to close that door in order to get my mind, heart, and soul ready for the journey I am going to embark on (again). I've also realized that the amount of toddler-wearing going on around here has increased. Just because one form of attachment parenting has ended for us, doesn't mean they all have to. I'd like to wear my daughter as long as she'll allow.
Another added bonus about our change in routine would be the added alone time I have had with Justin, and our eagerness to try and implement the "princess potty" more. I can't say that it hasn't been nice to snuggle my husband without an extra body in the bed. I know Justin doesn't really miss getting kicked in the face in the middle of the night, or pushed to the edge of the bed. I'm trying to find all the good that is coming from our decision and so far it is working. Because her second birthday is around the corner (literally three months away), I really want to dabble into potty training a little more than before. I know she's not completely ready yet, but I'd like to see what type of results we can get if we actually implement the potty into our days. Cloth diapers have become a saving grace again, as we don't have much of an expense associated with diapering. For 4 months of diapering, I literally spent $28 on supplies needed. You really can't beat that, and that's why I'm more than okay with taking the potty transition slow.
Hopefully some of this information is encouraging or helping another mama out there to confidently wean (if that's what they want) or end a co-sleeping relationship.
Happy Tuesday all!
♥- Leilani
The first 72
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Yes, you read that correctly. Ava bug is back in our bed, and I'm honestly not bothered by it one bit. Over the past week Ava has had a fever of 100.8 and Justin and I both chucked it up to teething.. until it happened over the course of the next three days. I scheduled an appointment with her PCM (actually a doctor on the same team as her PCM), and they got me in the same day. That morning Ava bug clearly had a rash that I could see in her hairline. By the time I took her into PEDS she had the rash on her back as well. I was completely freaked out because my child has never had more than a stomach bug in her entire fifteen months of life.
The rash is benign, but it still worried me. The doctor told us that Ava has a viral exanthem. Basically her body was fighting a virus of some sort and the rash is the reaction her body had due to the virus. It doesn't appear painful, and she isn't scratching at it. It breaks my heart that my little one is going through this, and at this point I wouldn't even know where she could have picked up a virus of this kind. We haven't really done anything out of the ordinary other than explore Seattle more than usual.
At this point, my goal is to make my daughter feel as comfortable as possible. This includes nighttime snuggles with mom and dad. Even after all that has occurred since we starting co-sleeping with Ava, I really don't see the major deal. I mean yes, having an additional human being in your bed takes some getting used to, but all in all, it's not a bother for us. I don't see this being a permanent switch, but I'm enjoying the toddler cuddles I'm getting right now.
On a trying to conceive note, I think we are taking the next month to recoop and get (my) our feelings in order. I won't lie guys, I was really let down this past month with the news of no baby. I tried to shrug it off, but it was still really disappointing. I know I've got to get my optimism up and my game face on! Babies take time to make, and there isn't a real rush. I keep looking back at my maternity photos I had taken while I was pregnant with Ava.. I can't wait to experience that all over again. Here's a little throwback Wednesday for all my blog readers. Wasn't that baby bump just precious?
Happy Tuesday all!
♥- Leilani
The rash is benign, but it still worried me. The doctor told us that Ava has a viral exanthem. Basically her body was fighting a virus of some sort and the rash is the reaction her body had due to the virus. It doesn't appear painful, and she isn't scratching at it. It breaks my heart that my little one is going through this, and at this point I wouldn't even know where she could have picked up a virus of this kind. We haven't really done anything out of the ordinary other than explore Seattle more than usual.
At this point, my goal is to make my daughter feel as comfortable as possible. This includes nighttime snuggles with mom and dad. Even after all that has occurred since we starting co-sleeping with Ava, I really don't see the major deal. I mean yes, having an additional human being in your bed takes some getting used to, but all in all, it's not a bother for us. I don't see this being a permanent switch, but I'm enjoying the toddler cuddles I'm getting right now.
On a trying to conceive note, I think we are taking the next month to recoop and get (my) our feelings in order. I won't lie guys, I was really let down this past month with the news of no baby. I tried to shrug it off, but it was still really disappointing. I know I've got to get my optimism up and my game face on! Babies take time to make, and there isn't a real rush. I keep looking back at my maternity photos I had taken while I was pregnant with Ava.. I can't wait to experience that all over again. Here's a little throwback Wednesday for all my blog readers. Wasn't that baby bump just precious?
Photo Cred: Victoria Simmons Photography
♥- Leilani
Monday, June 23, 2014
I mentioned in Ava's thirteen month post that our co-sleeping days were coming to a close, and Ava's crib days would soon be among us. I am proud to say that Friday night was the first night she successfully slept in her crib. She woke up after four whole hours of crib sleeping. I nursed her in the rocker, and laid her back down to sleep. I didn't do anything special, nor did I try placing her in the crib during nap time on Friday afternoon. We got ready for "night night" the routine way we always do, but instead of laying her down on my bed, I carried her to the nursery. I really didn't expect Ava to sleep in her crib so soon. I told myself I would actively try, but if she wasn't comfortable, I'd take her out. Well, that didn't happen. I could hear her make a few little noises on the baby monitor, but that was it. I kept tiptoeing into he room to check on her pretty much every fifteen minutes. It didn't help that Cooper would tag along too. I thought for sure the sound of him galloping around would wake the baby... it didn't!
I had the drying running when I put her down, I figured a little noise in the background would be best. Normally we'd use her sound machine, but I didn't want to take it out of our room to put in her room, just to bring it back when she woke up. Well the sound machine is currently in her room. It took me a while to get the socket protector off, and I remember thinking that she would for sure wake up. She didn't. I really didn't expect for this transition to happen so smoothly. I plan on trying every night from here on out. Since Ava is clearly ready for the change, it looks like I have to jump on board too. Consistency is really going to be my best friend in this transition.
I know Justin is going to be thrilled about the progress that we've made. This is definitely a decision I've grown to become content with. After all, it only took us six months to really start this transition. The best part about this entire ordeal is that Ava bug seems to really enjoy the new independence. I didn't want to force her into making a change, and it looks like we won't have to. Have any of my readers successfully gone from co-sleeping to using the crib? If so, I'd love to hear about some of the methods you use. Feel free to leave comments below or email me.
Happy Monday all!
♥- Leilani
I had the drying running when I put her down, I figured a little noise in the background would be best. Normally we'd use her sound machine, but I didn't want to take it out of our room to put in her room, just to bring it back when she woke up. Well the sound machine is currently in her room. It took me a while to get the socket protector off, and I remember thinking that she would for sure wake up. She didn't. I really didn't expect for this transition to happen so smoothly. I plan on trying every night from here on out. Since Ava is clearly ready for the change, it looks like I have to jump on board too. Consistency is really going to be my best friend in this transition.
I know Justin is going to be thrilled about the progress that we've made. This is definitely a decision I've grown to become content with. After all, it only took us six months to really start this transition. The best part about this entire ordeal is that Ava bug seems to really enjoy the new independence. I didn't want to force her into making a change, and it looks like we won't have to. Have any of my readers successfully gone from co-sleeping to using the crib? If so, I'd love to hear about some of the methods you use. Feel free to leave comments below or email me.
Happy Monday all!
♥- Leilani
Friday, March 14, 2014
This morning a couple changes have been made in the Howland home. Justin and I have decided to shy away from using the crib until Ava is one year old. A lot of people must be reading this and thinking, "What is wrong with you!" but this is what is going to work best for our family. Ava has been co-slept since she was five months old, and while it was suppose to be a temporary switch, it has definitely become something permanent. It kind of hit me last night when I put Ava bug down for bed. It's seldom that Ava cries at bedtime, but I heard her kind of sniffing in her sleep. All I had to do was cuddle her next to me, and she just instantly stopped. All my baby really longs for is security. I can give that to her. If that means sacrificing bed space, then I will. A lot of people have asked about "intimacy" with my husband. What happens to that? Justin and I have no issues in that department. When you have kids your entire intimacy dynamic has to be shifted. You can't just do whatever you'd like, whenever. That being said, we have found ways that work for us. It has actually forced us to be more creative, and I absolutely love this aspect of things.
Another change I decided to make regards to nursing. I am not going to stop nursing when Ava is a year. I do plan on giving her whole milk, and other juices, but I will not stop nursing. This has been such a huge ordeal for me. I don't know why it's become so huge, but it is. Nursing is so much more than nutrition. It's so much more than just bonding. I don't expect to be nursing my three year old (who knows, maybe) but I do know that you can't put a time limit on nursing. It's my daughter's comfort and I will not take that away from her. I can't tell you the boost of confidence and " I am woman" demeanor I have received because of nursing. It's an amazing experience and I'm so glad I've been able to nurse this long. I got an email not too long ago asking about Ava biting me. I have had one incident where Ava bit me, but now we are golden. I read a book (can't think of the title at the moment, but if you want to know, email me and I'll look it up) and it went through the steps of correcting "the bite" you sometimes get when babies get teeth. It was a super easy process and I encourage mama's to not allow "the bite" to sway your decision for nursing longer.
I'm really happy and content with the decisions I have made. Each parent has their own way of doing things, and this way is the way that works best for my family.
Happy Friday all!
♥- Leilani
Another change I decided to make regards to nursing. I am not going to stop nursing when Ava is a year. I do plan on giving her whole milk, and other juices, but I will not stop nursing. This has been such a huge ordeal for me. I don't know why it's become so huge, but it is. Nursing is so much more than nutrition. It's so much more than just bonding. I don't expect to be nursing my three year old (who knows, maybe) but I do know that you can't put a time limit on nursing. It's my daughter's comfort and I will not take that away from her. I can't tell you the boost of confidence and " I am woman" demeanor I have received because of nursing. It's an amazing experience and I'm so glad I've been able to nurse this long. I got an email not too long ago asking about Ava biting me. I have had one incident where Ava bit me, but now we are golden. I read a book (can't think of the title at the moment, but if you want to know, email me and I'll look it up) and it went through the steps of correcting "the bite" you sometimes get when babies get teeth. It was a super easy process and I encourage mama's to not allow "the bite" to sway your decision for nursing longer.
I'm really happy and content with the decisions I have made. Each parent has their own way of doing things, and this way is the way that works best for my family.
This picture was taken during Ava's first 48 hours of life.
Happy Friday all!
♥- Leilani
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