Sleeping Baby

This little story is a little lengthy, but it is the biggest news I have to share. Sorry, in advance, for the elaboration. It is a very important highlight in the life of me and my baby Lindsey.

Well, for the very unscheduled Mom that I am, and a little bit of honest humble pie, I have conquered a great battle. And, I might add, quite easily. Being a stay at home Mom, with only one child, Lindsey's sleeping pattern was not a concern to me and therefore I never reinforced a good habit. You always have to be careful what you say you will NEVER do as a parent or it might come back to haunt you and this sure did. I never dreamed that Lindsey would be sleeping in our bed with us for so LONG.

But... it all started back when she was first born and we were in the hospital. The 2nd night in the hospital she would have no other way, but being held and she would not sleep in her little bed not 2 inches from my bed. When we arrived home she would not sleep in that beautiful cradle right beside our bed - ON HER BACK! So, wanting to be careful and not take a risk of SIDS and putting her on her stomach, I ended up holding her every night on my stomach. I asked the doctor about this and they said that was fine. Well, after two months, I had to have somewhat of a major surgery and could not hold her so on her stomach she went and she did fine for the most part in her cradle. At 6 months I thought I would move her to her bed, but that was a no go. I was up way too much in the night with her being in her room and she was not a good sleeper of very many hours at all. I tried for a very short time after she was 6 months to let her cry it out and it DID NOT work out. So, I gave in - she was in our bed, because she was too big for the cradle at this point. Then, we ended up living with my parents due to their health reasons for 7 months and there was no room for a bed for Lindsey. She remained in our bed during this time. We have been back home since the end of June and she was STILL in our bed.

Well, ENOUGH OF THAT. Out she went - 4 or 5 weeks ago. I had made up my mind and the fight was on. I was no longer going to give in to those night wakings. She needed to learn how to sleep through the night and put herself back to sleep when she awoke. The first two nights she woke up once and she had to have a good long cry each time and after that - it's all history. We've had a few bumps along the way, but she has never been back to our bed and she can put herself back to sleep when she wakes up. She seems to be in the routine of waking up once after quite a spell and I have to tell her to lay down with her doll, cup and blanket. The reassurance of my voice is enough for her and she goes right back to sleep. 12 straight hours of sleep - WOW! Thank goodness - I HAVE MY BED BACK :) !! Be careful what you say, you might end up eating crow :) And, I guess that's enough honesty for one night.