Express Yourself!

We're teaching The Prince sign language. The idea is that babies are capable of expressing themselves before they're ready to speak, so you give them tools to do so. Some say it slows down the appearance of first words, some say it speeds it up. I think anything I can do to help my little one express himself is great.

You start with a few fun words and a few daily, necessary words. We've chosen milk, more, food, bed(sleepy), doggie, kitty, and ducky. The signs are easy to learn and to remember; the tricky part is remembering to do them every time you say the word. You say and sign the word when you're doing or holding that thing.

The cool part is that The Prince has started paying attention to the signs. For a while, it seemed as though it was just for myself, but one day at bathtime I noticed him noticing my hand sign "ducky." Yay!

The whole thing got me thinking: if he's ready to express himself before he talks, and he's noticing when I do the signs, how much is he really taking in? I think sometimes we tend to go about our daily lives, not paying attention to what the baby is paying attention to. It's enough to make me consider everything that I surround myself with, and therefore surround The Prince with: the TV, the music, my words and tone when I deal with other people and the pets.

This verse has been heavily on my mind lately, and is a perfect check for me to go through when considering the things I allow myself and The Prince to take in:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Phil 4:8

What's Blogging all About?

I've hesitated to start a blog because I'm a little nervous to put everything out for all to see. I used to make up fabulous blog entries in my head, and file them away for someday.

Now that 'someday' is here, not only can I not remember those fabulous entries, I'm just not sure what to write about. I follow a few blogs that are eloquent, witty, amusing, and I'm not sure I can commit to that. I'm also not sure that I can commit to perfection in grammar and spelling. Should I do daily journal entries? Share scripture I'm reading? Funny things The Prince does, or reasons I love my hubby? Really take a chance and tell you how I truly feel?

I suppose the answer is...yes. My blog shall be a combination of all these things. Hopefully some eloquent, witty, amusing entries surface.

On another note, The Prince got ear infections (double, again, boo) a few nights after the first Serious Night of the new sleeping plan. And I'm pretty sure I see his top two teeth coming in. So, for now, I'm concentrating on helping him sleep. I consider that a pretty special job. I'll continue dreaming (hah!) of a night when I, too, can sleep.

Sleep

I'll admit it. The Prince is not sleeping through the night. I have a few friends who proudly proclaim, "my infant is sleeping all night long." What do I say to them? "That's great! Congratulations!" What do I think? "I am so jealous. And tired."



So, we are trying something different. I'll never be able to do 'extinction,' or letting The Prince cry for hours so he 'learns' how to get himself to sleep. I know that's the problem, that he doesn't know how to get himself to sleep and he needs my help, but I just can't handle the crying. It makes us both sick. I know it works for some families, but not mine.



We've chosen 'The No-Cry Sleep Method.' Sounds great, right? The only problem? It may take weeks (and lots of work) to see results. Weeks. You do what you need to get the babe to sleep, then gradually modify that. (That 'extinction' method looks pretty good here, since proponents claim it may take only a few nights. Still not worth it.)



I'll start off by saying The Prince sleeps in his own crib, but I'm not opposed to (safe) co-sleeping, and I think it's very special. We have chosen an early bedtime, regular naps, and routines.



Last night was the first Serious Night. Here's the sleep log:

Begin bedtime routine: 5:30 (dinner, bath, massage, songs, nursing, rocking)

Asleep: 6:30 in crib.

Awake: 10:55, nursed, back asleep by 11:05.

Awake: 2:35, nursed, diaper change, back asleep by 2:45.

Awake: 4:53, rocked back to sleep.

Awake: 5:23, nursed, back asleep by 5:33.

Awake: 5:40, brought into my bed.

Awake for the day: 6:30.



That's five night wakings, with a total of about 11 hours of sleep.



We'll re-evaluate in ten days.



Yes, I'm jealous of my friends who get a full night's sleep. But I'll cherish the extra time with The Prince while I have it.