Rob's Thirty & Mother's Day Picture Post

So I meant to share these, but didn't get the chance.  Last weekend was Rob's 30th birthday and my first mother's day.  It was a fun but busy weekend.

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Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I'm still working on my review - and should have it done next week (as long as I can get Rob to help!) - of these 3 items (the flat screen tv saver has not arrived), but in the meantime I'd love for one of you to win this same set.  Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Eleanor Update: 31 weeks

Eating: We tried squash, green beans and orange slices.  She liked them all. The oranges were a hit but then Rob got nervous about her getting acid in the eye so I had to take it away from her. 

Nursing is usually every 3 hours now.  The only time it isn't is if I have to go somewhere or do something (such as being in the car for work or church) and won't be able to feed her.  Then I will feed her or try to feed her earlier (just to top her off).

Misc:  It was a busy week.  Rob's 30th birthday was this weekend plus mother's day.  She did really well with all the people at Rob's party other than the first few minutes when his grandma tried to hold her (she hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving) and it was just loud in there and overwhelming for her.  After I took her and calmed her down she was fine being passed around.

She's getting so close to crawling forward.  She kind of does thing where she gets on all fours and belly flops forward but I'm not really counting that.

Sleep:

It was a really rough week at the beginning.  Several nights in a row she would wake up in the middle of the night and just be wide awake for hours.  

Also it was so hot that I didn't use a sleep sack and it makes a difference.  She is so restless and all over the place.  See the images below. 

And then last night she slept for 9 straight hours, but didn't go to sleep until 10 pm.

First time in big girl jammies. 

And then there was this.  Cute at the time....until it actually came true. :)

The Sleep Update

Some days I feel like I've got this being a mom thing down, and then some days I have no clue and am trying to do things the way I feel I should do them (based on what other people say).

I posted a while ago about Eleanor's sleep habits and how I was overwhelmed at times and she wasn't getting enough sleep.

And honestly?  I still don't think she does.  Sure she only wakes up at night once, twice on a rare night, but she doesn't have a set bedtime.  Some nights she's out at 8 pm and some nights I'm still trying to get her down at 10 pm.  Usually once she's down she'll sleep about 6 hours, nurse and sleep for a few more.  Most days she's up around 6:30 am and that's pretty consistent.

It's over whelming to be because I feel like she still should have a set bedtime and if I don't get her on one now, will I ever be able to?  Problem is that some days she's wide awake at 8 pm and when I try to lay her down (even with a full belly and a clean diaper) she just cries and cries. While I've started letting her fuss for a while (never screaming crying) she won't go to sleep.  Then I have those days where she is struggling to stay awake and it takes 2 minutes of nursing and she's down for the count.

But I 'think' I'm okay with it because she does generally sleep alright at night.

Nap times are still a struggle.  30 minute naps are average, although she has taken a few hour plus ones lately (one was when I was snuggling in bed with her).  I of course assume something is wrong because Eleanor never naps that long. 

Lately though I have noticed she tends to be tired around 8:00/8:30 am (so an hour and a half after waking). This nap last 30-40 minutes.

Usually then she'll be ready for one more nap before work. This is usually in the 12 pm -1 pm time frame. 

And she usually naps in the car on the way to work from about 2:10-2:40.  Not always, but most days.  Then she's up until almost bedtime though. Which is 5-6 hours.  She might fall asleep nursing at some point during that time frame but as soon as I go to lay her down she will wake up and cry.

I struggle because if I know she just ate and has a clean diaper and she's crying because she's tired that I should let her be.  But I also hate letting my baby cry herself to sleep (I'm not sure she really would anyway).  Fussing is fine, but when she starts to get a high pitch scream I can't stand it and have to go in and 'save' her.

Over the weekend I put in a soft blanket and she slept for an hour and half on it.  I've thought before that she prefers to sleep in bed with me for that reason (my bed is more comfortable), but research and studies say that's dangerous so I've never done it in her bed. When I tried it again she napped but half the time and I'm a nervous Nellie and didn't do again.

Another part -and a huge part - is that I'm not consistent.  I find something that works once and do it.  Then I get lazy or exhausted and it's easier to do something else and do that.  Then the original thing doesn't work and I try something else.

So my biggest downfall is inconsistency and I'm trying to work on that.  I just wish she could get it on her own. And by that I mean naps in her crib that last more than 30 minutes.

We do bedshare a lot. Rob sleeps in another room still so I sleep with her at least part of each night and usually for her nap at home. I didn't start this until 5 months when she outgrew her rock n play and it's something I never thought that I would do.

So that's how it goes generally.  But this week has been pretty rough.  She's had several nights where she wants to stay up for several hours in the middle of the night or doesn't go to bed for hours.  I cried last night because I was struggling. I'm exhausted and I just hate letting her cry like I mentioned above and I don't have the willpower to stick with something.

Our 7 Month Favorites

Here is this months edition!

Bright Starts Teethe and Read Teether Book:  This isn't the exact book, but is very similar (same brand, same design, just different pictures...).  It's a soft book and crinkles and entertains her in the car for a long time.  It's how I know she's awake or sleeping.  If she's sleeping it's quiet. :)

Elmo & Friends (My First Look and Find)

This is one of the books we read the most.  It's a board book but it's over sized and I think that's why she really likes it.

Nuby Super Spout Easy Grip
This is the only sippy cup we've tried so far, and she sometimes has a hard time getting milk or water out (because she gnaws at the nipple) but it's easy for her to hold onto and she's starting to figure out to tip it back.

Mum-Mum's
We just started giving these to her.  The face she first made was totally confusion and I kind of had to show her that she could eat them, but since then she really likes them.  I've only tried the banana flavor, but I did buy the vegetable flavor and are going to try those soon.  I only give her a half of one at a time and usually only once or twice a day, but they are great for keeping her entertained for a few minutes (although still with supervision) while we are out to eat.

See: 1 month favorites 2 month favorites, 3 month favorites, 4 month favorites,  5 month favorites, 6 month favorites