Keep Our Babies Safe While They Sleep

If you've ever seen an infant sleep you know that they toss and turn like nobody's business. 

And if you've done your research you know that little ones aren't supposed to have blankets in their crib with them - fear of SIDS and other incidents has discouraged that practice for many years now. There are too many unknowns. Researchers also say that bumpers and stuffed animals should not be in the crib at bedtime or nap-time, as well. 

There are several incredible products out now that keep our babies cozy at night and ensure that they are safe, as well. 

Baby Sleeps Safe is a product that does just that. 

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So much.

She lays next to me. Fidgeting. Unable to settle into the call of sleep.

I lay still beside her.

Reflecting on the day.

The pressure behind my right eye is immense.

Unsure of whether or not it's an actual impending headache or a ball of tears, I pretend I don't feel it.

My patience wears thin as she finds yet another need-to-do moment before shutting her eyes.

Tonight she became a Brownie.

A huge step for my little Daisy girl who has grown so over the last three years.

Huge.

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I'm writing.

I had the incredible experience of attending the annual Type-A Parent Conference in Atlanta this past weekend. There will be so much more I will say about that but the most important thing I need to share is how absolutely incredible the hands-on session I attended was. Inspired by Just Write, a weekly link-up hosted by Heather of The Extraordinary Ordinary, I listened and learned as she and Vikki of Up Popped a Fox talked writing.

And then they stopped talking. And had US write. And here's mine. I'm linking up with Heather today because it feels right.



Every night at bedtime my daughter wants me to stay with her. Me, my husband, but usually me. We've started a chart recently. Bright green checkmarks if she falls asleep on her own. It's amazing when she does. We get a few extra minutes of our nights back. No shouting up the stairs. No tearing our (my!) hair out. But what he doesn't get is how important these moments before sleep are. To me. To her. Sometimes it's habit. I need water. I have to go potty. But sometimes it's really me that she needs.

To talk about her day. Share secrets and moments with. Release the thoughts that keep her mind awake.

Lately we've been reading. I start, she finishes. Chapters from Heidi. And then we shut the light and she starts in with them. Random math problems. I think they help her sleep.

** This is where I ended when my five minutes were up.

Amazing, isn't it? A few small moments. Minutes. All it took to recall what was and is important.

My baby. Last night I was so happy to see her after being away for a few days (granted, I was also exhausted) I fell asleep in bed with her. Snuggled up tight.

She told me I am the best mommy in the world. Her special girl. She missed me so much but is so very glad I am home. And I watched her drifting. Closing her eyes some. And then I did. And she laughed this morning as we discussed who fell asleep first.

She says it was me. It might have been. And if it was, I imagine her watching me the way I watch her. With love, awe and inspiration. That we belong to one another.

That she's mine.

Thanks, Heather and Vikki. For reminding me what this blogging thing is truly about.

And if you're looking to learn more about the incredible session I attended, check it out here: How to free-write.

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What I need to remember.

So many moments passed me by over the course of this last year.

So many memories whizzing along. Speed of light. Sound.

Headaches over homework.

Battles over what shoes to wear.

Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten.

Please eat your breakfast.

Fun and fancy kid-friendly lunches.

A lost spoon.  An overreaction. I'm only human.

Sharing thankfuls.

Big dreams.

Feeling broken.

The unexpected importance of colors.

Mornings.

Fact or fiction?

Musical memories.

Smiles. Laughter. A year with few tears.

Except mine. Because I missed her.

Now she's home. Our summer begins.

With a 6-year-old smile to wake up with in the morning. Spend time with each day.

Mind racing, fighting bedtime each night. Thoughts, ideas, memories flowing.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

* Except camp. She WILL have camp!

* Oh, and I'd LOVE it if she'd go to bed somewhat easily. This mama isn't ready to invite Samuel L. Jackson over again.

 

* Linking up this week with Pour Your Heart Out at Things I Can't Say

AND

Memories Captured at These Little Waves and Writing, Wishing *

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The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep, by Harvey Karp, MD ~ Review

Anyone who has ever looked through the section of baby book resources at any book store in the country is sure to know who Dr. Karp is.

Author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, and The Happiest Toddler on the Block, Dr. Karp is well-known for his methods to help calm baby into a comfortable and easy-going pattern of days and nights. As someone considered knowledgeable about the early months of a newborn's life, the "fourth trimester", facing colic, temper tantrums and more, it's no surprise that Dr. Karp has moved forward to address what is often considered a parent's biggest struggle when it comest to parenting.

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My little squishy face.

I had so many ideas for this post last night. And then I got tired and I didn't write anything down.

Like I said in my Sunday post, I'm dreaming of a strong future for my daughter. I'm dreaming of an easy transition into Kindergarten, for her and for me. And that she makes friends, learns a lot, and enjoys herself.

So what's weighing heavy on my mind and my heart these days as I wait to figure out when things will truly start for her?

Well, I suppose I could begin with the question of what isn't ... cause it's starting to feel like everything is.

Bedtime.

If you know me, know my daughter, bedtime sucks. It always has. Maybe it's our fault, my husband and mine, because we never pulled off the cry-it-out method. Never "feberized" her, or whatever it's called. I know it works, there were nights she did scream and cry and eventually fall asleep, but for the most part we worked our way towards a better nighttime process. And for the most part she gets there. And even lets me leave the room before she shuts her eyes for the night.

But we just traveled for 2+ weeks. Spent nearly every day together, and slept in the same room each night (or she slept with my mom when in NY w/o me). So falling asleep solo is a bit rough around the edges these days. And that stinks.

Do you question the choices you made during the days of early parenting and wonder if your child(ren) carries them forward and holds on tight enough that they impact the way they function? So many times people said, I've said, your kids will be okay. They're just babies. Take care of them. Show them they are loved. Safe. Protected. This will not hurt them down the line.

And I know that bedtime hasn't hurt my beautiful daughter. I know that and I feel it. Even on the nights my husband and I have screamed up the stairs with exhausted voices. Even on the nights one of us has stomped upstairs and found ourselves yelling. Or the nights I've gone on Twitter and pretty much screamed: FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS HOLY GO TO SLEEP!!

Samuel L. Jackson has sounded good to me on those nights. I've wished for an earlier window of closing that bedroom door and I am hopeful that we'll see that window soon. I'll get my late nights back, and not have to be awake until the wee hours so I can get anything done. Reading. Writing. Whatever else.

Although then that gets me thinking how when she goes to bed, I won't need that window of time anymore. I may just catch up on some TV and go to bed myself. Because she'll be gone during the day. And I'm not yet working. Or driving. Or working on driving (yes, a whole other post, I know). So I'll have that time to do whatever it is I squeeze in from 10-12. Maybe.

And then I start thinking about how she'll be gone all day. And I worry again. And I think, oh good lord. And so on. And how much else I need to think about.

And then I just want to go to sleep.

But in the meantime I'll picture this beautiful face. And I know she's going to be just fine!

As for me? I suggest that you get used to seeing my face ... I might be blogging daily until I get used to the change!

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the sleepiest moment

There are moments in my day when I feel as though I am losing my mind. 

Tearing my hair out. 

Ready to lock myself in the bathroom with a good book or a tabloid magazine. 

And there are moments in my day when tears spring to my eyes. 

When my words may have been too rough. 

But then I remind myself to pause for a moment.

Consider the most simple and beautiful parts of my day. 

And one - always one - happens in the morning. As I wake up my little girl. My beautiful, sweet, stubborn, intelligent, adventurous, frustrating, insatiable, emotional, and (insert every other adjective under the sun here) special little girl. 

And I see her like this ...

And I think to myself, she is mine. My little girl. 

Holy crap. How did that happen? How did I manage to have a five-year-old in the blink of an eye?

How is that even possible? 

And sometimes I wish she could stay that way forever. 

But I know that she won't. I know she'll continue to grow. To learn. 

And truth of the matter is, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I'll just continue to capture and remember the sleepiest moments in any way that I can.

So today (okay, admittedly it was yesterday) I took the picture. But for the most part I'll have it captured forever in my head and my heart. 

My pretty sleeping princess. My tomboy of terror. 

All bugs, flowers, dirt, tiaras aside. 

She's mine. 

And I wouldn't have it any other way. 

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Naked Barbies, Pretzel Ice Cream and why Samuel L. Jackson needs to come to my house

I'm so tired. I'm freaking exhausted. My husband was away for work all last week and my daughter decided to use that as a perfect way to show that she was "sad" and she "missed Daddy" and she just would not go to sleep before midnight. I'm on the fast track to some melatonin here - and it may happen for real soon. And no, I don't mean for me. I already take it on occasion. As needed, and all.

And seriously, people. Will I ever learn to spell occasion on the first try? How hard is it? TWO Cs and then one S. Two first. One next. Sigh. One of these days.

So, today I hung out at Maggie Moos all day. Yep. An ice cream place. We did a fundraiser for the mom's group I volunteer with (read=find my sanity from. And some of my insanity, as well!) and I hung out from about 2-4:30 or so. And I only bought one cup of ice cream. That's pretty impressive for that long a window of time, no?

And yes, my friends. I know that now you're shifting your eyes up to the title of this post. Thinking to yourself - really? Pretzel ice cream? No. No way. What on earth? But yes. It IS real. And it was pretty good! Although I am regretting not adding a mix-in. I should have gone with those M&Ms I was eyeing. Instead I opted for a scoop of that and a scoop of Cinamoo. Any guesses what that one is made of? I did learn that if you call them at Maggie Moos and ask them to get your flavor ready, they'll do it for you. I see visions of gallons of Chai ice cream in my future. As that totally and absolutely rocks. R-O-C-K in the USA. Say what?

Ah, yes. You must be wondering about the whole naked Barbie thing. Yep. She's in that stage. My child. My 4-year-old. I bought her a few "Barbie" type dolls today at a consignment sale (total score that there was one in the BUILDING we play soccer in!) So I gave her one as a surprise when we got in the car. She loved it. Supposedly it was Alex from Wizards of Waverly Place ... go on ... join me now, you know you want to ...

Who says?
Who says you're not perfect?
Who says you're not worth it?
Who says you're the only one who ... something?
Who says, what's the use in crying ... something something something?
Whoooo Says?

Nanananananana! Lalalalalalalla!

Who says?

Yes, I like it. What of it? I am just hoping Selena doesn't go the way of Vanessa Hudgens and chop off all her hair as a rebellion of sorts while her ex-Zac becomes the available eye candy for women everywhere. Or something like that. Poor thing. She was so cute, too. Ah, well.

Now, where was I? Oh, right. Naked Barbies. The first thing this child wanted to do was take the doll's clothing off. I mean straight away. We avoided it until tonight when I got home, but I told her that this stuff was so fitted that I might not be able to help her get it back on poor miniature Selena. Which would not be good for our visit to NY in the future when she would get to connect with my niece's three or four Justin Bieber dolls. No, that wouldn't be pretty at all.

And lastly, if anyone sees Samuel L. Jackson while you're out and about, please ask him if he'd be willing to come to my house. I don't have a budget that I'm sure he is used to, but with fall approaching - or here just not here in NC here - I'm happy to make him some pumpkin muffins, or oatmeal, or coffee, or pretty much any recipe he finds on Pinterest as long as it's 5 ingredients or less. ANYTHING at all. As long as he can help me get my kid the f*ck to sleep.

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She crawls into bed, shutting her eyes
Praying the thoughts go away
They do not
She whispers
Why are you still here?
All I want is to dream

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Stream of Consciousness: It's Random

Did I dream? I don't think so. It's all random. I kind of felt like I dreamed about my ex-boyfriend. And my former best friend. And Jason from General Hospital. But who wouldn't want to dream about him, right?

I think that wasn't part of my dreams until I came home. But forgive me, I forgot to tell you where I was. I did a sleep study last night. I was hooked up to all these fun wires as I snore like a banshee, if banshees snore, that is. And I spoke to my doctor about it and so that was that. She said I could do this, or go to an ENT, of course when I got there last night the woman asked if I had a cold and I told her about my perpetual stuffy-ness and she thought I should go see an ENT. I don't know. And what stinks, aside from her tearing that tape and those "things" off my head and face in a raw-ing fashion, (sorry - I paused as I was typing so quickly I had a typo or two, not a part of the rules, but shoud really bothered me!), and is that I left this AM and she couldn't tell me much of anything. Ah,w ell. Wonderful.

The child is watching Max and Ruby (she is quite the b!tch - isn't she? Poor random Max. Sigh.) right now while eating the identical lunch to my own. I was so ready to enjoy mine and there she was, deciding she wanted a thin bread (flatbread? those round pepperidge farm circles. you know the kind, right?) and turkey slices, with american cheese and avocado, too. I know, it sounds good, you want some right now, also, and who can blame her? Not me. was ready to offer, until she wanted MINE. Argh. Kiddo, go make your own. I mean, seriously, you're four. You can use the sharp knife for the avocado, can't you?

I kid - I kid. I made her one, too. But does anyone else just want the one you make for yourself and does it make you selfish or a touch of OCD to think, well, I'll make her a different one as this one is MINE.

I don't think I went over the time limit, and I'm not even sure if I reached it, but my child just said: "More, more, please please!" so she is obviously starving and in need of a second sandwich. Heck, maybe I am, too. When food is good, it's good, right?

Hope you're joining Fadra today for Stream of Consciousness Sunday. If you don't know what that means, click the button below!

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PYHO: What's on my mind

Some days I have 957 things on my mind. Other days I'd say it's just one.

What that one thing is and can be certainly varies from day to day.

But I have to confess, I don't go to sleep easily at night. I often have a case of the racing mind. You, too? Well, you can join me, then, as I share what my mind raced through last night as I tried to catch some ZZZs. And what may be the funniest thing of all is that this was on a good night. I actually got in bed at around 10 or so, played on the iPad, hung out on Twitter, and then by 11:30-ish I hit the wall. And then I started racing.

Too bad my body doesn't race this well. I'd have less to worry about if it did.

OK, so stay with me ... last night as I tried to shut my eyes I thought ...

I'm just so tired. I seriously wish I would fall asleep faster. I know that the doctor gave me something to take if I really need it, but I have always heard iffy things about it so I'm kind of afraid. Plus, what if it knocks me out so badly that when hubby leaves for work in the AM I won't hear the child when she wakes up? I mean, I know that's probably unlikely but if I could just fall asleep I'd feel better, ya know?

And OMG, I checked my email before bed and I am officially volunteering at TypeAConference! I'm shocked, thrilled, and holy crap, I have no idea how I am going to get there, or where I am going to stay. I need a roommate. Do I even know anyone going? Wow. I'm going to feel like a total loner. Maybe I should turn down the offer? But no, I totally WANT to go, and I want to volunteer as I have heard the most amazing things about this event and it would be the coolest thing ever to be able to be a part of it. Crap. I'm still going to totally freak out. Anyone I know going -- I think there are some people locally. I have to start asking now. Whew. I can't breathe.

No, I really can't breathe. It's not just anxiety, I seriously am unable to breathe through my nose. I think I have to go see an ENT. I mean, really. I think it's time. Either that or finally get to an allergist regularly. Or maybe actually find an acupuncturist here in NC. I miss Julie. She was my acupuncture-girl in NYC. That was like 5+ years ago, so what the hell am I doing thinking of her now? I know she'd kick this crap and gunk out of my nose and sinuses big time. Damn, I wish I could zap myself there in an instant. Although I wonder if she is still practicing in NYC. Sigh. She's probably in NJ by now.

I really need to call my friend Dawn. I never called on Feb. 4th for her son's birthday, and I have been thinking of her since then. I also wonder if my friend in California had her baby. I haven't spoken to her since I found out she was 4 months pregnant and that was months ago. I keep having bad feelings about it so I left her a message the other night and didn't even say anything because what if something went wrong?

G-d, I am seriously so tired. I wish I could shut my brain the way I shut my eyes. I think I have to pee. I'm too tired to get out of bed again. Did I brush my teeth? How can I forget if I actually brushed my teeth tonight? Is that even possible?

I wonder when my husband is coming up to bed. I hope I'm asleep, or maybe not, because then my snoring will keep him awake. It's not like I do it on purpose, and believe me, it's so totally unfair that when we are up here together he can shut off the TV after Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert and turn over, shut his eyes and be snoring in like 5 minutes, I mean, really, who DOES that? So I kind of DO want to be asleep before he comes up because if not I'll just have to listen to him snoring and that would keep me awake even longer. Not to mention that I'm slightly cranky with him right now. But whatever. Doesn't matter since I'm so friggin tired I really just need to close my eyes and go to sleep!

Or something ...

This participating post in Pour Your Heart Out was brought to you by the letter "A" for Andrea's Anxiety. And "E" for exhaustion.

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Sweet Memory

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Passed Out!

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How much sleep do you ...

Get? Need? Want? Has it changed over time? Are you ancient like me and just want to stay in bed? Although when I was younger I wanted to stay in bed, too. I like my bed. It's cozy, comfy, and safe (except from kitties and claws!) for me.

I always seem to want more than I get (who doesn't?), and yet I need less, most likely. But I also don't get enough, so if you can make sense of that then more power to you!

Just lazy, tired and need to get to bed. These past few nights have been way too late and so I figured I'd toss a question out there and let you respond! Now if I started a community we could talk amongst ourselves, but I'm lazy, remember? So I'll tweet it and send you here.

And then you can talk sleep to me. Or sleep talk. Or whatever works!

Sweet dreams, y'all!

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Mellow Monday

Hubby took today off. My parents are still visiting. It is pouring. Hubby took the wee one out for a car-ride aka: nap. He called and set a world record: 3 miles and she was out like a light.

I'm lazy. Tired. Stuffy. Chillaxin'. And did I mention lazy? No? Yeah, I did. You read me.

Hope you're all enjoying your day, that everyone has the day off and has better weather than we do here. Happy Monday to all and to all a good "afternoon!"

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It's a miracle!

She went to bed pretty easily tonight, and I think I have the answer to all our nighttime problems.

Hubby has to put her to bed now.

EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.

Sssh. He doesn't know it yet. But he will.

SOON. VERY SOON.

It's either that or we have to have snow in NC more often, so I can ensure that she tires out more quickly. But I'll stick w. passing the buck onto hubby. That works SO much better for ME.

tee hee.

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When you go to bed at 1AM

Should it be a given that your child is going to wake up at 6?

And, as usual, not want to lay in bed with you and hubby, but move around, barely give you a chance to fall back to sleep, and crank crank crank the whole time?

Yeah ... I thought so. Thanks.

Any tips on how to get a toddler to STAY IN HER ROOM (short of locking her in) when she gets up too early, or at the very least wanting to go back to sleep in our bed for an hour or two (which would be totally cool with us at that point) please send them my way.

And again, thanks.


p.s. And no lectures on why I was up so late, I was actually working. I know, I know, WHAT-EVER. But I was. Did I have to do it til 1AM, no, probably not, but those are my better hours. Did I mention I'm not a morning person? Yeah, I think you got that by now.

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