19 week old Serene has a personality that is shining through so vibrantly these days. She's turning out to be quite a vivacious one, for her joyful disposition seems to augment by the day. Weekends are so dear around here, particularly since she is in her merriest element then. We're pretty sure it's because Alex and I are both home at the same time all weekend long to lavish on her our attention. Her face lights up whenever she sees either or both of us, and she is so incredibly smiley, playful, and all around content. Even when it's bedtime and Alex and I are bleary-eyed with tiredness. Alex likes to tell her then, "Why are you smiling? It's not time to smile. It's time to go to sleep." She just gurgles and grins at him even harder, of course. What a stinking cute blessing. Lately, she's also into hanging out in her diaper and grabbing her feet. That, and pushing her legs while arching her back to inch around like a worm since she can't legitimately crawl yet (even though she exerts all her effort!). Indeed, we're loving our joyful babe who's loving life.
Hi Helen, I'm finally going to shed some thoughts your way, about Miss Serene. First off, with our first son, he didn't sleep. It got so bad that one night around 8:45pm I ran to Barnes and Noble and bought the first book on how to get your baby to sleep. I think it was Mark Weisbluth, "Sleeping baby, Happy baby"- or something like this. Maybe you've heard of it? We heeded his advice and our lives changed. The point I want to make here is not that we did every single thing he said to a "T" but more that we began to schedule our babies sleeping, eating, etc much better. How you go about doing it might be different but my opinion is that it's really important.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I gather you are not at home with her during the day. So her care giver during the day should stick to the schedule. I had my first son during the summer of my Senior year in college. I went back for my senior year and my mother in law watched our first son. I gave her very specific instructions and she was very respectful as I'm sure your caregiver would be. I think it's your husband right?
Here are a few things we did:
If the baby was really hard and was waking a lot at four months we would start the sleep training which means crying.
If the baby was fairly easy and getting into a routine on their own we wouldn't push the sleep training too hard until six months.
We've always loved white noise for the baby.
We've always done a routine before bedtime, whether it be bath, books or singing, etc. This is training your baby.
Hi it's me again, just wanted to publish that so it didn't cut me off. Okay, onto another subject. I read all of your posts. I'm so inspired by your photography and to see your family grow is wonderful. It didn't go unnoticed when you said you feel like you can't do it all, or something to this matter. Helen, Marie and I were just talking about this on the phone the other day. Luckily you are not supposed to feel like you can "do it all." Sometimes it may appear that others are "doing it all." But they aren't. We have all been given strengths and weaknesses. If we were able to do it all, we wouldn't need our Savior. And I know you know this and I'm preaching to the choir, but we need reminding sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI believe with my heart that Heavenly Father does not want you to do it all because it helps you to be closer to him. We need him. So, what does this mean? For me, it means calling upon Heavenly Father on a constant basis. Asking for guidance from the Spirit. I know you do this, but when you aren't sleeping and your agitated it's hard sometimes. Believe me when I say I'm speaking from experience. I also believe that if you want to make changes or things aren't working out whatever that might be ie:gettting baby on schedule, that Heavenly Father will help you to work these things out. And I know you also know this. :)
All this said, try not to stress. Remember, rarely is something so big of a deal that it warrants undue stress. And if also remember that change is within your power. I always had and have to remember this as a mother. There are always changes that need to be made. Mostly just tweaks here and there, but they have to be made. Helen, goodluck. I know things will work out. It's hard I know. Babies are not super easy. I know. :) But they are wonderful and they make us who we are in the end. All my love to you,
Shauna xoxoxox
oh sweet girl! she is just so beautiful and certainly looks to be enjoying life. what a blessing helen!
ReplyDeleteoh goodness! sweetness overload :)
ReplyDeleteLooking pics of baby Serene makes me miss the times when my daughter was her age :) My daughter is 4.5 yo now :)
I still remember the day I brought her home from the hospital!
Serene is such a sweet, sweet baby. Love looking at her pictures! thank you for letting us taking a peek at her life journey :)