Rejuvinated

7 months and I am getting the hang of things. We decided to stick with CIO (crying it out) to teach and train Hayden to self soothe herself to sleep and sleep throught the night. It is going great. It is definately not for everyone, as we tried it a while back and I could not stick with it, but it is worth giving it several tries. And you know... a couple nights of crying and 10-20 mins checking on her, knowing it is leading to the future nights of a full sleep is definately worth it! You just have to prepare yourself for it mentally and stick with it. Giving in will only confuse the baby and it will be worse! I am so glad that I have learned these things and that I have had people supporting me. Justin's help has been so helpful as well. It is nice to have someone walking right beside you and you can both encourage each other. Justin and I just sat in the back vanity area and tried not to listen to the cries! Check the clock and peek in on her... give her a pacifier and pat her belly and walk back out. Re-assure her it is okay and eventually the dry, fed, tired baby will learn to get herself to sleep.

I was not against co-sleeping and did it for the first few months occasionally but it is a bad habit to break if you do not plan to do it for years or at least have your mind set to it. It was actually helpful and easier to co-sleep to an extent in the beginning when she woke to nurse 2-4 times at night but now she is able to sleep throught the night yet she was still waking 2 times, then three and I was not going to let it get to anymore... and it was not to eat but just for the boob! Sorry, I am not a pacifier and it was only draining me. I would not feel like myself all day and if I didn't get a nap... phew! My day was gone! Now, though, I have more confidence and I am having a better nights rest and happier throughout the day. So is Hayden. She is also learning self confidence and independence as well. If you question this method please read about it... www.babycenter.com/0_the-ferber-method-demystified_7755.bc

So... other news, she is eating solids 3x a day. She LOVES yogurt the most. I make her babyfood, just not the rice cereal or yogurt. I like knowing it is all natural and it saves money. It is so easy at that. Just steam or bake, puree, and freeze in an ice cube tray. Put the cubes in labeled baggies and take out how ever many they will eat. So simple and the most natural! Don't get me wrong I am not an organic person myself but her nutrition this early on is very important to me... and why not? - I am a stay at home mom- she is my number one priority and this is my job. How about she is getting on her hands and knees and rocking... she will be crawling before I know it - then walking! OOOhhhh! She can even hold on to something and stand for periods of time! I just love her. I am so excited to see her grow and mature but it is going so fast! It will be time for another one before we know it! lol but lets wait on that thought another year or two. Okay so time to add a few pictures, wish I knew how to get them all over the page but I don't. We took her to the park the other day and she loved it! She got in the baby swing and just smiled and laughed! :)