52:8 Cry it Out???

So I just tried the cry-it-out method with Gwen and it definitely didn't work. She sleeps so well at night, but her naps are always a struggle. It's morning, and she woke up at 6:00. I was exhausted, and I tried to put her down at 8:00, but she cried for 8 minutes and I couldn't handle it, so I went and got her and nursed her for 15 minutes so she could sleep. Then I changed my mind, and stopped nursing to see if she would sleep longer, but she just cried.

Then I tried to put her back down at 9:30, and I rocked her and held her and put her down. She immediately started crying, and I let her go for 20 minutes. There was no slowing down, so I went in and rubbed her belly for a minute and left. Then she REALLY screamed for 12 more minutes until I went in and scooped her and hugged her. Her voice was hoarse and she had tears on her cheeks, and she was taking those breaths that kids take when they've cried too hard for too long...it was awful. She was still yelling little screams when I was getting ready to breastfeed her. Now I'm feeding her, and she's asleep. I cried when I saw how sad she was. How does ANYONE do cry-it-out??

We just got back from Dallas, and I think she got used to falling asleep in the car. Normally she goes down pretty easy for her morning nap, but this was terrible. I really don't know what to do.

I think I've decided I'll never really be able to do cry-it-out. She's such a sweetheart, it's not fair to her. Ive decided to help her nap any way possible, whether it's nursing, car rides whatever. She will eventually learn how to fall asleep on her own. I'll still keep trying to get her to sleep in her crib, but without the battle.

Ps: did I mention she still sleeps at night from 7:30pm to 6:30 am? I need to remind myself that!

52:7 Breastfeeding

I love to breastfeed. It's hard at times for different reasons, but the connection to her is so awesome and the cuddling, consoling, warmth, little hand in a ball holding my shirt, little sucking motions and toes wiggling...every part is heart warming. Not to mention all the huge health benefits for her and me.

Don't get me wrong. I think bottle feeding would be great too. Formula is also very nutritious for a baby, and the convenience of bottles in public, I'm jealous of. And now that Gwen is starting to grab and pull, a nursing cover isn't doing the trick.

I guess I had no idea that it is so controversial. I mean, I once recognized that breastfeeding an older child was ridiculed; 'if your child can ask for it, then its time to stop' (said with sarcastic laughter). Not sure exactly where I heard that, but I know I've heard it more than once. But who says? Who made that rule? The people that are uncomfortable with that idea? Just because a child's language skills have developed, means breastfeeding is now a social oddity? Is it based on the maturity of the child? Seriously? I think not. If you don't know, don't speak.

I am a little worried about breastfeeding once she gets teeth. The idea of her biting me there...uh, I'm so not looking forward to it! She already bites down sometimes when she's done eating, and even with just gums, it hurts a little. A woman I know started exclusively pumping at 6 months because of her son's teeth...I guess I'll have to see how it goes...

People have asked me how long I plan to breastfeed and I've been saying 9 months to a year. Now I plan on saying 'whenever I feel like stopping'. I wonder how well that will go over. In any case, it doesn't matter what other people think or say because the benefits of breastfeeding are vast.

52:6 Baptism

2/11/12 is your Catholic birthday! I can't wait to see you in the long white dress your grandmas bought for you! Then afterwards we are celebrating you at nana and pops house! All your aunts and uncles are here, and Aunt Missy and Uncle Jason are your godparents. I'm so excited!
The day came and you slept in. You now wake up at 7 and usually go back to sleep until 10 (but then you have trouble falling asleep during the day). After you woke up, we brought you to the church and dressed you in your beautiful gown. When the deacon poured water on your head, you didn't even make a sound! I love you so much! You are forever the light of our lives!