Jack gets a visit from his cousin and friends

What a fun weekend! One of my oldest and dearest friends Starr visited. She brought her clan; Scotlynn, Parker, and baby to be. We had breakfast and visited. Parker is ten months and just a few weeks older than Brooks so they crawled around (mostly making a beeline for the stairs) while Jack observed. Pat, Kim, and Brooks came up for the weekend and we had a blast. We went to the car show and celebrated Kyle's 32nd birthday with a spicy hot chili dinner. Mary made a delicious cake and we topped it all off with ice cream sundaes. The boys paid little attention to each other except during an interaction the last morning when they kissed! They then proceeded to pummel each other, a peek into the future when we are surely going to have some rough housing little guys. Jack didn't know what to make of Brooks's high pitched screams and usually broke out in tears. Interestingly, since their visit Jack has been letting out a few of his own screeches! We got them matching jackets at Carter's and with their matching strollers they were quite the pair. It is so fun to have visitors and we can't wait for Easter when we are having a family get together. Pat is kind of cut off in the group picture - Mary was struggling with the camera. In the other two we have no heads....

My Guys

What a great Dad!

Grandpa Russs & Cheryl

I was told Grandpa Russ and Cheryl visit this site! Just wanted to say hi! Blog sites are not just for those of us with little ones to show off. It would be so neat if the two of you would create a site and start blogging all of your adventures. Plus then you can respond to our blogs. These sites are so easy to do. I have posted a few picts of Jack in his jumper. He loves it and bounces for ages. So thanks guys for the Christmas money used to purchase this great gadget! Love you.

Sleep Transition: The conclusion

Well, after reading the comments left by our friends I have come to the conclusion that everyone makes the same mistake with their first child! That makes me feel much better.
After eight nights, each worst than the one before, Jack is sleeping with us again. The final night he just would not go to sleep unless I lay with him. So I ended up sleeping half on his mattress half on the floor and realized my plan was just not working. On a positive note, he does sleep in his crib a little longer than before, coming to our bed about midnight. He also seems to be napping better during the day. I thought I could stick it out but the last two nights I averaged three hours of sleep and could barely function at work. Finally Kyle said enough is enough bring him to bed, so I did. Maybe when be moves away to college we will have our bed again :)
Actually my new plan is just to wean him off snacking and using me as a pacifier through the night. I figure the transition to his bed later will be easier if he is not so used to me being available. So I have been rolling over after he is asleep so my back is against him. Jack doesn't love it but we will keep working on it.

Sleep Transition

I don't think anyone wants to see picts of my current challenge so this blog comes without any! Jack turned six months on Christmas day and the next day we took him for his check-up. The doctor pronounced him healthy and doing great, 75% for height and 50% for weight. We were coming to the end of our visit when she asked how he sleeps. I told her pretty well but that he sleeps with us. She said, "that is the only troublesome thing you have said this entire appointment." She told us we needed to change that ASAP and that it was not good for him to be sleeping with us still and he needed to learn to sleep independently. She gave us some suggestions and said it would be a hard transition but worth it for him in the long run.
So that very night I was guilt ridden and set out with determination to correct my mistake. I was sad because quite honestly I loved having him sleep with me, I knew he was safe and warm and it was the only time he would snuggle! The first three nights I was encouraged. He went to bed at seven pm and woke up at ten, one, four-thirty and then around seven. So I was really only waking up three times to feed him and get him back to sleep, he also seemed to fall back asleep fairly easily and I would just lay him in his crib and sneak out. Why had I not done this sooner I thought?
Then it all changed. The next three nights he went to bed at seven, then woke at ten, midnight, two, four, five, and six when I let him come to bed with me out of sheer exhaustion for an hour. I found myself sleeping in the rocking chair with him in my arms more often than not. I also realized I was spending more time in the rocking chair than in my bed. We tried the controlled crying at a few of those times instead of nursing him back to sleep. We would lay him down, get him comfortable and time the cryinig. After ten minutes we would go in and calm him then leave for ten more. On the fifth night this went on for a forty-five minute stretch before we felt so guilty we decided that method was out. We still let him cry but usually for about ten to fifteen minutes then we try something new.
Kyle wants to help but Jack freaks out when Kyle goes in and screams even louder because he wants me! I have banished Kyle to the basement so that he can sleep. I figure at least one of us should sleep so we won't both be grouchy and get into an argument over something stupid. He relieves me in the morning and helps all day so I appreciate that.
The last two nights everytime I get him to sleep he awakens when I lean over the railing to put him in his crib and I have to start over. So I came up with a new plan. I took his mattress out of his crib and laid it on the floor with the bumper around it. I lay with him and nurse him to sleep and then roll away and sneak out. This actually worked pretty well last night. He woke four times but it was quick and easy to get him back to sleep.
I am proud to say I have not given in in eight days. I figure I am taking baby steps. Once he is sleeping longer stretches doing it this way I will work harder on getting him to fall asleep without nursing. I can't believe how difficult this has been. Jack is the sweetest guy but he is stubborn and it is going to be an uphill battle!
I will keep you posted on my progress. If anyone has any suggestions please let my know. I have read everything there is and nothing has exactly worked.
Note to Pat and Kim: You are going to have quite a challenge on your hands if Brooks is anywhere as stubborn as Jack. Maybe just let him stay with you until he is ready to leave. Except what about when you want to stop nursing?
One thing I have to say, I do not regret letting him sleep with me for six months. I absolutely loved that time together and would do it again no doubt.

Kim took these cool head shots of Jack.

Our trip to Zion with Pat, Kim, and Mary at Thanksgiving. Mostly more cute picts of Jack. One thing I really miss about living in Salt Lake (aside from my family) is Zion. Kyle, Pat, Dan, and I spent summers working up there and Kyle grew up there. Once you have spent time in the canyon there is nothing else like it. We spread Kyle's dad's ashes there after he passed away and I think that is not a bad place to rest. We will make sure Jack is well versed with the Southern Utah National Parks as he grows.