Family of four

Source: google.com via Courtney on Pinterest

I look forward to Sundays for many reasons.  I love going to Sunday school, worshipping in song service, listening to sermons, etc.  Sunday is such a wonderful day to just reflect on the Lord and all of the wonderful things He has done for us.

But there's something else that happens on Sundays that I love too..

Family time.

Yesterday morning Paul brought Zoe to bed with us, and there were were, all four of us laying in bed together.

I dreamt about the day when there would be kids laying between Paul and I in our bed.  I knew it would be the best feeling in the world.  I just had no idea just how amazing it would be when it finally happened.

Have you stopped to give your babies hugs, kisses, and tell them you love them today?  Have you held them close and breathed in the smell of their hair -- the smell of outside, baby lotion, or just the smell of them?

Long time no see

Right now I'm typing one-handed because my beautiful daughter fell asleep in my arms.  I look down to see mac-n-cheese baby food dried up and crusty on her forehead and nose.  She slowly twirls her feet in her sleep -- something that soothes her I've noticed.  My heart swells with love for this girl.. even after I put her to bed because she has a screaming fit.

My last post talked about my tough time being a mother when it comes to disciplining Zoe -- and myself.  Though we're still battling this dependency issue, we have accomplished other things concerning the little monster; one of them being her going to bed in her crib.  That was the hardest thing I have ever done.  I still hate the fact that she's not sleeping in bed with me, but I do know that we're all sleeping better, and I have noticed a difference in her attitude.  Except today.  She's been a grump for no reason.

Zoe has last some weight in between WIC appointments so I have started feeding her rice cereal for breakfast and a bedtime snack, and then she has been eating fruits, veggies, and meats for lunch and dinner.  I have to say, we've only tried the meats a couple times.  That stuff is just plain nasty!  I don't blame her gagging and dry heaving.. I was doing the same thing feeding her the stuff.  She loves carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, and pears.. oh, and prunes.  Can you believe it?  It seems like the only thing she hates so far is peas.  I don't blame her.  I feel the same way -- unless they're hiding in a dish.  I can't eat them by themselves.

Mothering a nearly 7-month-old and being pregnant at the same time is not for the weak hearted.  I have been crazy exhausted more often than not, I'm sick 80% of the time, and I think I get irritable easier..  All in all, life is good and we are so excited for another baby!  It will be great to have two youngsters running around together.

Well, I just thought I'd post something real quick.  I need to go.. my baby's calling.  Oi.

Bringing the new year in with a BANG!

After ringing in the new year eating junk food and playing with the new Xbox Kinect, Paul and I were ready to go home.  We had a lot of fun, but we were ready for bed -- especially Zoe.  I'm used to staying up late, but it seemed like as soon as the clock struck twelve my eyes got really heavy.

As we were heading home we realized that we were driving into a blackout.  It was the craziest thing driving down the street and all of a sudden there be no lights; houses, traffic lights, even street lights were not on for blocks.  Looking down the neighborhoods was pretty eery.  You couldn't see a thing!

The farther we drove the more serious the situation became to me.  I started praying that we had power at our house because I just wanted to go to bed and sleep.  As we neared our house I was relieved because it looked like we were the first street to have lights right next to the blackout.

Nope.  It wasn't our street.  That was the street behind us.

Obviously Paul and I were a little bummed out about the situation.  We decided to drive around to see if we could find the source of this.. situation.  It seemed like half the town of Havre had no power, though I'm sure that is not the case.  We never did find out the reason for such a huge portion of town to be powerless.

Eventually we came back home.  After much thinking we decided to brave the lack of heat and just go to bed.  With it being -20 out we were a little nervous, but we figured if it got too bad we'd bum a couple sleeping bags in a living room of a loving family member.

We turned the faucets on so our pipes wouldn't freeze, I turned on my bedside lamp so whenever the power would come on I would know and be able to turn off all water.  We piled a bunch of blankets on the bed and all 3 of us snuggled close.  I was so wired from the power not being on that I could not sleep.  The power finally came on around 2:30 and I was so relieved!  We turned the faucets off and tried to get some sleep.  For reals this time.

I tossed and turned all night.  Every time I slightly dozed off I would dream random dreams that involved keeping Zoe warm -- and no power.  ARGH!  I finally dozed off around 6:00 in the morning and got about 3 hours of sleep.

Happy. Stinking. New Year.

Other then that, we had a great night!  Paul and I are excited about what will happen in the year 2011.  Maybe the new year will bring a second baby?  There are endless possibilities!  All I know is that God is going to bless us and in everything that happens, good or bad, we will depend on the Lord.  I hope you do the same!

Oh, and just for the record, Xbox Kinect is not for the weak hearted!  Just sayin'.

Co-sleeping

Just like any new mother I love to read all the tips and advice I can find on babies and parenting.  Some things I read I agree with while others I hit the delete button and go on my merry way.  This morning I had an article waiting for me titled "Co-sleeping: Is it safe?"  Immediately I was interested in what the article said since co-sleeping/independent sleeping is such a controversy these days.

I personally co-sleep with Zoe and we all love it!  Paul included. :)  There was no way my newborn child was going to sleep all alone in another room.

First off, the article said that in the U.S., 13% of infants routinely co-sleep, and nearly 50% co-sleep for at least part of the night.  For some time many said that co-sleeping could result in SIDS.  According to Attachment Parenting International (API), "The research has shown that co-sleeping does not increase the risk of SIDS, if practiced following guidelines that create a safe sleeping environment for the child. Further, some research has clearly identified how co-sleeping may reduce infants' risk of SIDS due to the lighter sleep and synchronized parent-infant sleeping patterns associated with this practice." 

Even Dr. William Sears said, "infants who sleep in a crib are twice as likely to suffer a sleep-related fatality (including SIDS) as infants who sleep in bed with their parents." According to Sears, "The answer is not to tell parents they shouldn't sleep with their baby but rather to educate them on how to sleep with their infants safely." 

Of course this got me thinking -- so I googled.  Yes, I googled.  Here is what I found when I looked into the psychological benefits of co-sleeping.  To read the full article click here.  Plenty of moms think that co-sleeping results in clingy, dependent children.  Instead, co-sleeping results that children who once co-slept have been found to have higher levels of confidence, self-esteem and intimacy.

I'm sure plenty can find pros about independent sleeping as well.  All of us as mothers need to do what is right for us and leave well enough alone.  For me, I feel more comforted in the security of knowing how Zoe is doing throughout the night.  If she chokes on a little bit of puke, I know because I'm right there.  Also, because I am breast feeding, co-sleeping is so much easier on me.  Mainly because I can rest while she nurses and we both fall asleep soon after she's done.

Co-sleeping is what's right for me.  I choose to keep Zoe close by, whether she sleeps in the bed with me or in her bassinet.  I personally feel so much more rested doing so which means taking care of Zoe during the day is easier.  When I feel she's old enough she will sleep in her own room in her own bed.  Until then.. I choose to cuddle with my whole family!