i'm excited!!!

again, i'm excited!!!

kenapya??


Because I've been trying to improve Adelle's sleeping habits, and today it showed GREAT advancement!!

It was becoming ridiculous to be singing to her and rocking her for hours each nap and sleep time because she would resist falling asleep. I haven't been so sure what kind of methods to implement, yet I'd like to start her at a young age. She's been a very good girl for sleeping in her own cot since she was born, only sometimes she co-sleeps with us. So I know right now I don't need to worry about her not wanting to sleep on her bed, but more like the rocking to sleep part. She's getting heavier, that's all.

I thought I'd start this early morning after her bath because no doubt she always falls asleep much MUCh easier after a bath. A good starting point, isn't it? Yes, I was right. Although she fussed for 5 minutes, after I gave her a pacifier, she went quiet and had her eyes half-open. I watched her falling asleep just like that. I couldn't believe my luck!!! Not jumping for joy yet, I decided to take a short nap before I started the day.

She woke up at 10.30 and smiled at me! It melted my heart... Shortly, she's asked for her milk and I fed her as usual. As soon as I felt it was safe for her to be put down (meaning, she won't chuck too much milk out), I let her watch her musical toy and her hanging toy. She mucked around for 15 minutes and then started calling me out and looking around to see where I was and what I was doing. I came to her and just talked to her for another 10 minutes. I then moved her to our bed so I could lie down next to her to read her a story. Not long after, she fussed a little bit, I gave her a pacifier and again, I was so lucky. She fell asleep after 10 minutes.

To cut today's story short, out of 4 feedings today, only once she fussed to be nursed to sleep. The rest, I put her down and she fell asleep on her own. Isn't Adelle such a good girl, daddy?! One thing that I noticed help calm her almost straight away is this pre-recorded gadget from Phillips. I'm not sure if we have this in Indo. We got it as a gift from my auntie in Holland. It's got 3 pre-recorded sounds (water flowing, heartbeat, and a lullaby song) and 1 button for your own recorded voice. It plays each sound that you pick for a set amount of minutes (also, you can choose the length of time). I have it set on the heartbeat. Thanks so much Tante Mel!!! That gift of yours is a LIFESAVER!!!

anyways, I was looking at her sleeping so peacefully and realized, she's growing up. I am going to miss those periods of cuddling in bed with her so close to me. I guess, even co-sleeping is not always comfortable and restful, it is a wonderful feeling to have your baby next to you. I will miss it.
I do wonder if it would be wrong to still nap with her from time to time after we are done with the night sleep training.

But this is all for everyone's good, isn't it?

And these past couple of days, she's warming up to her first Barney. She hugs him, sleeps with him and even bites his lips... *laughs*




and she's been given a teether because I thought it's a good encouragement for developing a mature grasp by giving her things to hold (plus a teether is safe to be put into her mouth, which what she's been doing with her hands). A teether seems cleaner than a rattle, in my humble opinion :) I do put a rattle in her hand to hold, but always supervised in case it lands in her mouth hehehe...

weaning

I know the recommendation is 6 months, and I have been adamant about it before. But somehow today my opinion's shifted a little bit. I decided I will start her on solids when she's shown signs that she's ready for it, rather than basing it on a tight schedule. Of course I will do so with her ped's approval. So, I'm rather pumped!! I'm planning to start her on veggies first without any carbs. I figure, giving carbs early on may be the reason why we all have those carb addictions! So, I can't wait for those signs!!!