Co-Sleeping

Yes, we have been co-sleeping. I know, gasp, right?! The thought of it! Ok, so lets start from the beginning.  When I was pregnant, I said I would NEVER co-sleep. Working in the field I did, I saw a lot of co-sleeping situations that turned out horrible. I was dead set against it.  I was also GOING to breastfeed (a post about that later) and said I would never consider cloth diapering (which I am now considering).  Clearly, a lot changes when you go from pre-pregnancy, or pre-baby.

So yes, I have been co-sleeping since Noah was about 1 month old.  He has always slept in the room with Rich and me, but now he is in the bed.  I am no expert on co-sleeping (or bed sharing in my case), and therefore I do not recommend it for everyone. In my case it works. I have not had one drop of alcohol since I had Noah. I refuse to drink alcohol when he is sleeping in the bed with me.  I also do not take any medicine other than tylenol or advil for a headache.  The bed is against the wall and he sleeps in between the wall and me.  I sleep as far to the side of the bed that I can-but he loves to snuggle and always ends up right next to me.  I am very aware of him and therefore have not gotten a good nights sleep in 7 months (but that is ok).

But now, we are trying to make the transition for him to sleep in his own room in his crib. He is big, healthy, and I think it is safe for him to sleep in there.  We tried having him sleep in a pack n play in our bedroom, but he just thought that was fun and did not really associate with sleep.  So now, he goes to sleep in his crib and when he wakes up he gets in the bed with me.  I love to snuggle with him. It is the best part of the day. And boy does he know how to snuggle.  Hopefully in the next few months he will fully be sleeping in his bed. It is time.

So, clearly what I have learned is that you really don't know what is going to happen until the baby gets here.  I will never have my mind set on doing something one way.  I have to be flexible.

7 Months

Noah is 7 months. That means he has been here for more than half a year.  I can't believe how fast time has gone by. I find myself getting excited for new milestones while also being sad that he is growing up so fast! Yesterday, I looked through pictures from when he was born to 1 month. Ah, he has changed so much!

1 Day Old (September 29, 2010)

ALMOST 7 months (April 17, 2011)

Ok, so here are some of the fun things he is learning and his 7 month milestones:

-Sitting unassisted for long periods of time

-Launching forward from a sitting position to being on his belly

-Catching himself whit his hands when he starts to topple over (I am still nervous about him sitting so someone is ALWAYS there with him)

-Starting to sit in a high chair at a restaurant. Easter brunch was the first time he did this without fussing within 5 minutes. 

-Sitting in the cart at the store (picture above)

-He is starting the "pincher" grasp.  For example, see the green ball he is holding in the picture? He can grab the fun little things with his thumb and pointer finger

-Oh, and I shouldn't forget to mention that with his big ball like the green one above he grabs the little things with his teeth, pulls the ball away from his mouth, and lets them pop. He thinks that is funny

-Noah eats anything I give him. He eats 3 "solid" food meals a day, and at least 30 oz of formula a day

-He has started to have a FEW "table food" items. When I give him something off of my plate he thinks it is funny and laughs

-If I have him in my lap at meal times, he ALWAYS grabs my plate and food

-He makes a lot of sounds, and is very vocal...but has not yet put syllables together. When he sees something he wants, he grunts or screeches, or makes funny noises

-He knows the answers to "where is..." to things he knows ex: puppy dogs, daddy, mommy, grandma, poppi (my dad), Uncle Josh and Uncle Paul

-He is not yet crawling, but he can get most places he wants to go by rolling or schooching

-Sleeping is our BIGGEST struggle. He is doing VERY well with nap times, but bedtime is a whole beast of its own. Of course, we have been co-sleeping (FYI-before I had Noah I was dead set against co-sleeping, but now I realize that it has many positives) but he needs to start sleeping in his own bed. We are working on it...slowly but surely. (oh, and by own bed I mean a pack and play that is right next to our bed.

-Oh, and he has the biggest personality. And by personality, I mean he knows what he wants and doesn't stop until he gets it. Yes, we have had tantrums...but I love that he is developing into his own person. 

Ok, I am sure I am missing something but that is enough for now.  And here is a picture until next time: 

April 17, 2011