The detriment of chocolate milk...

First of all, I want a bonus point for having the word detriment in the title.  In case you're not sure, that's a big word for me.

I enjoy chocolate milk (as you all know).  And I like to have it in the morning and before I go to bed.  I find it relaxing and calming.  It reminds me of being a child.  Although I don't think my mom allowed me to have chocolate milk as a child... Anyway!  This morning I put my chocolate milk glass on the floor and put away some of Jacob's clothes.  Moms, do you see my mistake?  Apparently, when your child scoots, chocolate milk should not be on the floor.

I think my first clue was the quietness in the other room.  He had been fussing and then stopped.  I figured he just found something to play with.  Well, he did.  It happened to be my chocolate milk.  He tipped the glass.  All over the floor.  We now have a nice chocolate milk ring residue.  I thought I did pretty good cleaning it up, but you can totally still see it.  I know am convinced we need to clean the carpet in here yearly.

My favorite part was while I was cleaning up the chocolate milk, Josh was trying to clean up Jacob.  Somehow while washing his hands his sleeves became soaked.  Intriguing!  All I know is that I was very grateful to be able to concentrate on cleaning up while Josh concentrated on occupying the child.  Lesson learned.

What has your child spilled on the floor?  And, if you don't have children, what have YOU spilled on the floor??

I haven't left my apartment since Tuesday...

Yep, that's right.  I have been inside my apartment since Tuesday.  And I have no plans to leave today.  I do have to leave tomorrow, so I'm preparing.  I thought for sure this would make me go crazy.  And honestly, I am completely ok with it!  I am warm, cozy and comfortable.  I don't have chapped lips and dried hands, either!  I promise you, this is the BEST part of being a stay-at-home mom!

Sure, I have an opportunity or two to go outside.  I could make a snowman, take out the trash, clean off the other car that's not being used, etc.  Instead, I'll stay inside.  It's wicked cold out there!  I always chuckle when people on facebook write how cold it is outside and I haven't been out in days.  I have no idea what it's like out there!! I'm sure this will change once Jacob becomes old enough to go to school.  I won't be able to just stay inside for 4 days in a row.

For now, I will relish in the fact that I've been inside for days.  My teeth haven't chattered and I haven't been so cold my boogies froze in my nose (too much? sorry...).   I love having the choice of leaving my apartment or not.  And I like that choice!  I don't have to drive in the snow if I don't want to, and I like that!!

Anyone else stay inside for many days in a row???

I love to shower!

I always dreaded having a child simply because I was afraid I wouldn't get to shower anymore.  You understand, don't you?  You've heard stories from moms who say they didn't get a shower in the last week or more.  Ones who couldn't brush their teeth or go to the bathroom until their husbands came home for the day.  And honestly, I freaked out.  Really!?!?! I couldn't IMAGINE not brushing my teeth or pottying for hours on end.  And, horror of horrors, NOT showering!?!?! Are you serious?!?!?!?!

I think I have realized I have an unhealthy obsession with showering.  I love it.  I cannot go three or four or more days without showering!  In fact, I can't go more than 24 hours without getting in there!  So now my issue is finding time.  I *will* make time to shower!  I'll put that baby boy in a bouncy seat or for a nap or anywhere I can so I can feel clean again.  Yes, it will be a short shower in case he decides to be awake instead of asleep, but it's a shower no matter what!

I'm not sure how this will all work if we add another child into the mix.  I may have to wait to have the next child until this one can function by himself while I shower.  Either that or I'm going to do a lot of cleanup with the crayon marks on the walls.  To get my shower, I may just be willing to do that!  Either way, that shower is MINE!

What daily task can you not live without??

It's not in my control...

We've been struggling in our household lately.  Maybe, more accurately, *I* have been struggling in our household lately.  My frustration level has been quite high as well as my eating level.  It's amazing how easily food finds its way into my mouth when I'm stressed.  And I just have no idea why I can't lose weight.  Hmmm.  I feel like there's a direct correlation here...

So anyway, after some soul searching by myself, with Beth Moore and with my husband, I think I'm finally ready to deal with this issue.  You see, I want to control everything.  And if it doesn't go exactly to plan, I get upset.  Because, obviously, the fact that it's snowing is in my control.  So when it starts to snow and cancel my plans, I go find a cookie or chocolate milk or whatever I'm desiring.  The same happens when Jacob is fussing and I don't want him to.  I can change his diaper, feed him, make sure he's comfortable and he may still fuss.

So my new motto?  It's not in my control.  I can't control that it's snowing, that Jacob isn't happy playing, that my husband won't buy me a new car.  But God can.  The second part?  It's in God's hands.  I feel like this is the one reason I am getting through today.  My husband is at school teaching, and it's snowing.  I'm worried about him getting home safely.  But I can't control the situation.  The good part is I know the Person who can.  And I can talk to Him and He can fix it. 

So for now, it's in His hands, and out of mine.  And I'm good with that.  Now, if it can translate into not drinking a gallon of chocolate milk...

Do you have a daily saying to keep on keepin' on??

One of "those" days...

First, I love how excited these people get in the French's commercial when they add mustard.  Really? No one gets that excited... sorry French's...

Ok, to the post.  Today is one of "those" days.  I think the last 24 hours have been one of "those" last 24 hours.  Jacob fell off the chair, he banged his lip on the play area today, and I forgot to get stuff from the grocery store last night so I have to go back.  Yep, one of "those" days.  I've decided the solution is to throw your hands up in the air, and eat some chocolate.  At least, that's how I've been dealing with "those" days.  Just ask my chocolate milk.

I know every mom has these kind of days, and that almost makes me feel better.  At first I think about how everyone must be judging my parenting since my child hurt himself again.  Now I've decided that's not what they're doing at all.  Now, they're reliving the moment when they did the same thing to their child. Maybe this isn't entirely true, but I really hope it is.  I'm not sure if it's a full moon lately, but the kids are getting worse.  One friend's daughter peed in the tub.  Another one spilled milk at 2:00 am.  At least I know I'm not alone in this.  There are others that are wanting to bang their heads against the wall too.

So the real issue is figuring out how to not bang your head and to turn your day around.  I know that I can change my day with my attitude.  I know I don't have to eat the pudding cups that I bought.  But what if I don't want to?  What if those pudding cups sound pretty darn good to me??  The problem is that not all mom's seem to give into this.  Those are the ones I want to be when I grow up.  And maybe God is just putting me through all of this so I can learn to do that.  For today, I might eat the pudding cup.  Tomorrow I'll learn how to deal with this...

Go on, tell me about your last one of "those" days....!!

My favorite place...

Lately, it seems that the grocery store has become my favorite place to be at.  I only say this because I'm there at least once a week.  I feel like I am perpetually making a shopping list and forever begging Josh for the car or some free time to get there.  How is it that I need to go to the store so often?!?  Maybe it's my new obsession with Chocolate milk...

I seem to find new obsessions quite often.  For awhile, it was oreo cookies.  But then I kept getting fatter, so I'm trying to stop that obsession.  For awhile it was wraps, onions, chips, etc.  Now it's chocolate milk.  So now I have to go to the store, because the gallon of chocolate milk I bought last Tuesday didn't make it a week.  I'd like to place complete blame on Josh, but we all know that's not true!

I try to act like it's because I forgot to get butter or that I don't have enough eggs.  Sometimes I try to pretend it's because there's nothing to make (even though I have about 20 hot dogs in the freezer).  And, let's be honest, if I can get out for a bit by myself, I will totally do that!  The only problem is coming home with the receipt.  Eeeeek.  Talk about getting in trouble! 

Today's defense?  I need fruit for Jacob.  And chocolate milk for me.

How often do you go to the grocery store???

Cooking from scratch...

I had a brilliant idea.  I forgot to buy sub rolls for the meatballs for dinner.  So, I'm going to make rolls.  Yep, you read it right.  I am making sub rolls.  Does anyone else want to pray for Josh and I because of our stomachs??  I'm pretty sure we might die... Or at least maybe some food poisoning??  I mean it, you all better pray.  And lots of it.

I feel like as a stay-at-home mom, I'm required to make meals from scratch.  Every single one of them.  And let's be honest, I do NOT like to do that!  I think it's because my mom and mother-in-law both do it.  Of course, not *every* meal is from scratch, but in a week at least 3 of them are.  And I am not measuring up!  Even though I'm making sub rolls from scratch, the meatballs are frozen from the store.  And the sauces are bottled.  But I'm making sub rolls!! HA!

It makes me wonder what I would have done if I had lived in the 1800s.  I'm pretty sure I'd spend the entire day in bed, crying.  Really, how did those women do it??  They NEEDED to be at home!  They had no refrigerator, electricity, vacuum cleaner.  My goodness.  I am grateful for living in the 2000s!!!!!!!!  I just can't imagine what Jacob will do when he's 20.  They'll probably have some button that makes your meals, no prep necessary.

Do you make meals from scratch???

Hats off to the dads...

Today at MOPS we talked about dads.  We had a panel of three brave men who came and answered our questions and gave advice of things they do and ideas they share with their wives that help them parent better.  At first, I was a little weary of how today would go.  You're just not sure if someone is going to gang up on them and verbally beat them up.  But it didn't go that way at all!  It was seriously awesome.  And it made me so thankful for my wonderful husband and fantastic dad!

The one thing that stuck with me is this.  Relationship without rules leads to resentment.  Rules without relationship leads to rebellion.  How true is that!  And what a challenge to moms and dads.  How do we find that delicate balance between rules and relationships so that our child is raised into a wonderful adult.  Sometimes I think I look to far ahead into what we will be heading into down the road, but I guess I could call it being prepared.  I know he won't remember playing with me on the floor right now when he's 16, but I still want to begin to build that relationship as well as define it with rules.

What a profound statement packed into such few words.  And they all start with "R"!  Yep, that's one of the things I took away.  Although everything else was very awesome, that was definitely the one thing I hope sticks with me forever.  And hopefully we can begin to create a solid relationship with Jacob now and also start teaching him the rules that he needs to abide by as well.

What is one piece of advice you wished you had known years ago??

My trip to the dentist...

What an exciting topic!  Yes, the dentist.  Ugh.  In my mind, I had this unrealistic expectation that since I now stay-at-home, I could go to the dentist during the middle of the day when the sun was shining and birds were chirping.  Wrong.  Josh needed to watch Jacob, so I went this morning (when it was still dark out) at 8am to the torture chamber. 

I have to admit, I had a new dental hygienist today and she was fantastic.  Shout-out to Martha! Woot! And she was sort of gentle.  But my gums still bled.  Yes, if I would floss it wouldn't be this way.  But I hate flossing.  It's just so unnatural.  So I prefer instead to lose a pint of blood during my bi-yearly visit.  The good news?  No cavities!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the first time since I have been 18 that they have taken x-rays and I haven't had a cavity.  I thought my teeth were supposed to be worse after pregnancy?? Apparently, I should have more kids!  In due time, of course!

But as I was sitting in the chair tensing up and trying to not cry, I realized that in a few short years, I will need to bring Jacob to the dentist.  And somehow, I will have to make him believe this place is not the torture chamber I believe it is.  I will somehow have to make him think it's awesome.  And I'm not sure how to do that.  Not when I try to delay my appointments as long as I can before feeling guilty.  Oh dentist, why can you not be more enjoyable????

What is your worst and favorite part of the dentist???

Time to Upgrade!

 On our shopping trip, we headed to Target yesterday for an upgrade.  It seems the baby carseat that once held a tiny baby in it is now too small.  It's time to upgrade.

We went from little to big:

Dang, that kid is cute!! Anyway, it made me quit nostalgic.  Yes, I knew he would grow up.  But in my new mommy state, I figured it would take FOREVER.  And here we are, buying a big kid car seat.  Sigh.  This is the one we bought if you're searching for one!  I just don't know what to do with myself now.  He's almost crawling (more like scooting) and only wants to stand up.  What happened to this itty bitty baby of mine??

I guess the one good thing about growing up is he's a lot more fun.  Yes, it is absolutely wonderful to snuggle an itty bitty, but playing now is so much more rewarding.  And when we hang out with kids older than him, I just CANNOT wait to see how much more fun he'll become!  Let's just hope he soon learns to crawl/walk so he stops getting mad all the time!

When did you realize that your baby was growing old way too quickly??

I'm a stressed out momma!

Do you ever have these days/weeks??  I really don't think I should complain because I *could* be working full-time.  But, I'm going to complain anyway.  Maybe I can pretend it's "venting" so it feels nicer.  This week we have a plethora of things going on, all of which are AWESOME fun!  Today, we are going shopping once Jacob wakes up from his nap.  Tuesday is a playdate, Wednesday is a funeral and set-up for MOPS, Thursday is MOPS, Friday is Mom's Night Out at the WOW Factory.  Seriously, that is a FUN week!  The part that stresses me out is preparation.

Before, I could just grab my purse and out the door I went.  Now, I have to get the diaper bag, bottles, food, water, snacks, bibs, burp cloths and whatever else I am momentarily forgetting.  If he's staying here, I have to write directions out for babysitters.  MAN.  I miss those days!!  I think the worst part is my mind preparing.  I can so easily get out of control about the things I need to do while sitting at the computer playing on Facebook.  But the moment I start preparing, it goes smoothly.  It's all a mind game!

It's almost become that it's just easier to stay home, so we do.  And I don't like that.  Even though we're parents, I still want us to go out and have fun.  Even if that means taking the harder route and packing up the kitchen sink.  So, while I blog and stress about getting things ready to go shopping, I'll try to remember that the end goal is worthwhile.  And we can go out with success!  Here's to hoping for a great shopping experience!!

What stresses you out???

The first question I'm asked...

Everytime someone finds out I have a small child, their first question is, "Does he sleep through the night?"  I think that's mean.  I now firmly believe this is a question that should never be asked.  I think, instead, they should ask, "When can I keep your child for a night?"

The reason why I do not like this question is because, obviously, the answer is no.  Jacob will tease us every once in awhile and pretend like he's "fixed".  And then he'll wake up the next night for an hour and a half.  Boo.  I almost want to lie.  I almost want to say, "Yes! He's been sleeping through the night since he was 3 weeks old!"  Yes, it would be a terrible lie.  But then I wouldn't have to listen to advice.  Yes, yes, we've done that.  Mmmhmm we tried that.  Yep, did that too.  At 7 months, we have tried EVERYTHING.  Besides putting him outside until the morning.  For some reason, people frown on that option.  Who knows why.

I won't lie.  I'll tell people the truth.  Yes, my child is over 7 months old, and no, he doesn't sleep through the night.  He'd rather hang out with mom & dad.  Even when mom threatens to sell him to the Russians.  I guess I should just be glad people aren't asking me if I'm pregnant again...

What is the first question you get asked???

My guilty pleasure...

A reader recently mentioned that reading my blog is her guilty pleasure (Hi Rachel!)!  It got me thinking... I believe every mom has or should have a guilty pleasure.  I think it's essential for our sanity.  I believe firmly that without a guilty pleasure, we would lose it.  You would see a lot of moms in rooms with padded walls.  And I would definitely be one of them!

I felt the need to share my guilty pleasure.  Usually, it's television.  Currently, it's the Bachelor.  Yes, I know it's ridiculous and filled with crazies.  But I love it.  I love watching the drama unfold and the girls trying to get ahead.  I love the anticipation of the Bachelor picking the girl he wants to marry.  Really? So ridiculous!  There is no way a man can pick a woman through a show to marry for the rest of his life.  I think that's why most don't end up together.  But, it doesn't matter.  I love watching it!!

Josh, on the other hand, sighs, pretends to gag himself and goes to the other room.  Heehee.  I feel the same way about his choice of shows (hockey, football, soccer, basketball, etc.) so I think it's only fair.  I'm just grateful that every once in awhile he lets me actually watch my guilty pleasure!  I'm sure I have more than one, but that's the one that is currently in my mind...

What about you?  What is your guilty pleasure????

I now like the thing I used to hate most...

Many years ago, if you asked me to shovel snow, I would most likely growl at you.  Under my breath of course.  And I would do it, but I would be angry.  So, as most of you know, some snow showed up over the last 24 hours.  About 4 inches I think?? I'm always pretty bad at estimating... if you're in Morgantown, correct me!  So it came as a big shock to myself that I wanted to clean my car off.  What?!?  This is the task I threatened Josh with every morning before work. 

I just have no idea what caused this shift in my desires.  I actually wanted to do it. And I was joyful doing it.  Except that the snow plow guy was staring me down.  That was weird.  So clean it off I did.  And then I moved it to a clean spot.  I feel so accomplished!  I think there maybe a few reasons why I wanted to clean off the snow. 

1. I chose to do it.  No one was forcing me to, and there was no money at the end.  Although maybe I should pay myself.  That would be awesome!  Who wants to go out??? 
2. I wasn't in dress clothes.  I wasn't in high heels and stumbling around.  I had my boots, heavy coat, gloves and sweatpants.  Yep, I'm in my sweatpants.  
3. I wanted out of the house.  I think this is my strongest reason.  If I recall correctly, before this afternoon I hadn't been out of the house since Sunday.  Granted, some people came to hang with me yesterday, but I did not leave.  Except to run out quick and return a bracelet!  

 All I know is maybe this being a stay at home mom has created some habits and desires my husband may appreciate.  That and cooking!  He'll be happy when he comes home!!!!

Any strange desires you've developed??  Do you like to remove snow??

Looking for the perfect mother...

I'm looking for the perfect mother.  The one who knows what to do in each situation to make the child stop screaming, or how to teach them perfectly, or how to keep them in bed when they want to get out.  I'd pick Super Nanny, but she doesn't have kids.  So she's out.  I'm looking for a mother who knows how to handle every situation with poise and grace.  She doesn't get mad, she doesn't get frustrated and she has solved the biggest childcare issues.

Right now, I'd ask her how to teach a child to eat without blowing raspberries.  How to get the same child to sleep through the night and take his naps.  I'd like to know what the best combination of foods are and whether the current food he's eating will prevent him from eating "real" food in a year.  I have so many questions for this perfect mother.  Where can she be found??

Truthfully, I know every mother says she's not perfect.  But truthfully, I'm pretty sure some are much closer than they realize!! Me? I think I'm doomed to be the bad example for the rest of my life!  See, my kid falls and bumps his head.  He spits his food out at me.  He gets it up his nose and then screams when I try to get it out.  He refuses to sleep the whole night through and most naps are a challenge unless he's exhausted.  And I'm pretty sure I've gotten the formula amounts wrong once or twice or more. And just today, I bounced him around so much he threw up on me.

So, perfect mother, where are you?! Would you please show yourself????

What disqualifies you from being the perfect mother??

The evil vacuum cleaner...

Today, I cleaned.  Please hold your applause!  I know, it's shocking!  Anyway, some ladies are coming over tomorrow and you could see fuzzies and such hanging out.  So I knew it was time.  I've been having some issues lately in deciding the best time to vacuum.  I had tried during Jacob's naps, but that was a bad idea.  He would wake up and scream for awhile.  So then I vacuumed only when Josh was home so he could calm Jacob down.  That seemed to work greatly!

So today I decided to wait until Jacob was awake and try to vacuum then.  Fail.  He screamed.  A lot.  So I held him and vacuumed.  I think I almost died.  That kid is heavy!  Anyway, the cleaning was less than neat but I think I got most of the spots!  Now I am left wondering what to do the next time.  I tried to reason with Jacob (which works well with a 7 month old) to tell him that I controlled the vacuum and he was safe.  We touched the vacuum and talked to it.  And then I turned it on again.  Screaming.  I know it seems silly to reason with a 7 month old but I've always promised myself I would give him reasons when I tell him no.  So I'm working on that with anything that scares him or that he shouldn't do.

But even with all of this reasoning, he is still scared.  He is still frightened of that machine, and I definitely do not want him to be!  Especially since I want him to do this chore when he grows older so I don't have to... HA!  I've questioned a few moms, but I still need more help!  Any tips??

What chore makes you want to scream??

The tale of the traveling poop...

I think my son has found a new game to play with me.  Lately, it seems that when we drive anywhere, he decides to poop.  Yes, yes, I'm all for getting things out that need to come out.  But this is becoming a little ridiculous.  As soon as we left on our way to a family party, he started the familiar sounds and facial expressions.  Ugh.  And then today, when arriving downtown, the familiar stench wafted to my nose.  Double ugh.

I don't very much like to change poop.  But that's not the worst part.  It's the fact that it's winter and it's cold.  On the first trip, we couldn't wait another hour and a half to change him.  Today, there was no changing pad in the building we were headed to.  So I did the horrible.  I changed him in the car.  You may not think that is horrible if you've never done it before. 

Let me describe the first situation for you.  I didn't feel it would be nice to have the door open and expose him to the frigid cold.  So I tried to change his diaper in his car seat.  Epic. Fail.  The poop was so far up the back and I couldn't get to it by myself.  So I called in Josh for reinforcements.  The kid was almost upside down while I tried to pry the poop off of him.  Goodness.

So today, I thought I'd take another route.  I decided I would just expose him to the cold.  Bad idea.  He screamed for the entire change.  Frankly, I was expecting some pee in my face based on the temperature.  Thankfully I didn't get it.  I know you were all thinking what a good story that would make!

So I'm out of ideas.  How do I change the poop without getting him cold?? I need ideas mommas! Help me out!!!

Those pesky people at the grocery store...

Today I took Jacob with me to the grocery store.  If you follow me on twitter, you know that my ham was bad and our dinner ended up being pepperoni and cheese subs.  I consider that a new low.  So I tried to talk Josh into stopping by on the way home and grabbing a few things.  He informed me that since I was going to be out, I could stop too.  Blasted.  Failed plan A. 

I had a play date at Chick-fil-a this morning, so I decided to go to the store afterward.  I thought it was a good plan.  The only problem I could foresee was Jacob not getting his morning nap and being a bit grumpy.  So we headed to the store, and he did pretty good.  If he started to fuss, I used the pacifier (aka Shut Up Stick per cousin Rachel).  The problem came when we got into line.  Since he couldn't see me, he got upset. 

I guess I'm used to being surrounded by other moms who understand.  They give that look of sympathy and compassion.  They understand.  They know what it feels like when your kid goes berserk.  Unfortunately, I was not around any of these people at the store.  Instead, I received looks that said, shut up that kid before I beat you to a pulp.  Ok, MAYBE that's a slight exaggeration.  Maybe they were just annoyed that he was making noise.  But really?  He's a baby!  And he was doing good!!!  And truthfully, I kind of like if he annoys those kinds of people anyway.  Next time I should encourage him to keep yelling...

Any secrets for grocery store shopping?  Any tips for disgruntled shoppers??

I should be skinny by now...

I've worked out three days in a row now.  Three days!  And for almost an hour each!  The aerobic walking (no chuckles, children) takes 28 minutes and the firming is about a half hour.  Honestly, I am sweating like a beast after the first part.  And then my muscles are aching by the last part.  And the weight is steady.  Sure, sure it's muscle.  Yep, water weight.  Mhmm it'll start going down tomorrow.

ALL LIES.  I should be stick thin by now!  I should look like a Kardashian sister or a lingerie model.  Frankly, just putting in the DVD should make me lose a pound.  And since I've put it in three times = 3 pounds!  I am so proud of myself for actually working out, but every time the scale doesn't budge or, even worse, goes UP, I want to quit and eat a package of Oreo's.  My motivation plummets the minute this happens! 

So there's no hope for my muffin top.  I believe it will stay intact for 10 years until I convince my husband that a tummy tuck is in order.  I'm just going to have to buy huge tops and constantly walk around with my belly button sucked in to my spine (as my coach, Leslie Sansom says every time she yells tummy tuck).  And maybe, just maybe, I'll stop eating everything I see.  And I will finish that disgusting soup for lunch instead of trading it in for macaroni salad and chips.  And yes, that is what I had for lunch.

What issue do you face when dieting?  And what's your favorite program/exercise routine to help you keep the muffin top in control??

Crying it out...

So, before today's post, I need to write about something I saw on TV.  Do you remember me talking about the post-pregnancy jeans?? I think I found them!!!!!!!!!!! https://www.pajamajeans.com  That's right, pajama jeans!  If any of you try them out, let me know what you think!  I think I'd have to do some serious convincing of Josh to get some...

So as of Sunday night, Josh and I agreed to begin working with Jacob to sleep through the night.  I was pretty sure it would be horrible.  I was pretty sure we would be awake for hours on end, and we would never sleep again.  Ok, I may be a little extreme.  Just a tad.  Good news?  It was no where near that!  The first night, he woke up around 3am and cried for about 15 minutes before going back to sleep.  WHAT?! Is that for real?? I was shocked beyond belief! 

Last night, he woke up at 5am for a quick pacifier reinsertion and back to sleep.  This is amazing!!  I can't wait for tonight in hopes that the sleep is amazing.  Man!  I think we're both kicking ourselves for not starting this earlier.  I think crying it out is a very good thing to do when done correctly.  Here was our plan:

• Go in every 5 minutes to replace pacifier, flip over, cover with blanket, etc.
• After one hour, pick him up, calm him down, and do whatever was necessary for going back to sleep.
• If after 7 days there is no difference, stop and try something else.

We also made sure that Jacob didn't need the food.  He is over 18 lbs, has 4 meals a day with rice cereal in his bottles, and he's in the 75th percentile for weight.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't need to eat in the middle of the night!  We also bought overnight diapers so the potty is not an issue.

So that's what we did.  And it works!  And I wish we had done it much sooner!  Here's to more consistent and wonderful sleep!

Have you done cry-it-out?  What method did you use for sleep training?

The tip toe game....

We are finally back from our whirlwind trip!  We had such a wonderful time and Jacob completely enjoyed all of the attention and love lavished on him.  And boy did he get some awesome toys, clothes and books!  And a mini soccer ball.  How adorable!  So now the game is to find space for everything.  Josh says he's coming home tonight and reorganizing as well as throwing things away! 

As we were traveling, we learned a new game.  I would like to call it the "tip toe" game.  Jacob was very excited to sleep in the room we were in.  So excited that he woke up and hung out with us in the middle of the night.  The reason?? My tip toeing does not work.  I thought I could enter the room stealthily, take out my contacts, change into my pjs and get into bed without waking the baby.  I was seriously wrong.

I don't think I've ever held my breath or paused mid-motion than I did this past week.  It was amazing how easily I could just stop moving and wait.  At one point, I stood still for 3 minutes waiting for him to settle down.  I'm also amazed that apparently my husband has this tip-toeing ability.  And honestly, it makes me a bit jealous.  He needs to teach me the finer points of the game.

All in all, we survived sleeping in the same room and are very excited that it won't happen again for awhile!  Maybe by then he'll sleep like a log.  And I'll be able to learn how to tip-toe...

Have you ever had to tip-toe?  Do you have any tips or pointers????