Sleepless in Tucson ...

We have been having some rough nights around here. Friday and Saturday night there was not much sleep to be had in this house.

Friday night, I put Ryder to bed at 7 and then went to meet a couple of girlfriends for dessert while Rudy stayed home. I got home at about 10:30 and he had already been up a couple of times. It was storming for a few hours (awesome!), so we thought maybe that was waking him up. Not so much. Every time he woke up one of us would go in there and rock him back to sleep but as soon as we put him in his crib, he would wake up and start screaming. If not right away, within a couple of minutes. At midnight we decided to put the pack 'n' play in our room so that we at least wouldn't have to walk across the house all night. He was awake from 12-1 and when we laid down and turned the lights of he just stood in the pack 'n' play and cried, reaching over the side for me. I took him back in his room and finally got him to sleep, for about 3 hours. Needless to say, we were all exhausted on Saturday.

That night, same story. He would sleep if held, but if put down would scream. It was a VERY long night! I came to the conclusion that he has separation anxiety, which is causing the so-called 8-9 month sleep regression. I have never been a fan of the cry it out method. We have halfway attempted it a few times, when I decided I should break the habit of nursing him to sleep. The problem is, I can't make it more than 20-30 minutes without giving in and that only teaches him to cry longer. I finally decided that I didn't want to stop nursing him to sleep because before long I won't be able to do that anymore and when the time comes to change the routine, we will deal with it. In the meantime, enjoy the moment.

After 2 nights without sleep, I think Rudy and I both felt we couldn't handle another night like that. I guess we have been very spoiled by having such a good sleeper from the start, because I know many parents go for months like that. I don't know how I would survive. I would be sooo grumpy all the time! So anyway, Ryder woke up at about 8:30 and started his game. We ended up letting him cry. For an hour. It was soooo hard and I felt terrible the whole time! I went in every so often, but that makes him cry so much more - it's hard because I want to go in and comfort him so that he doesn't feel completely abandoned, but at the same time I don't want tp upset him even more. When I would go in and rub his back or bend down to give him a hug he would stand up and grab onto me, trying to climb up my body and into my arms. SO SAD! Eventually, the crying stopped. We went in to find him in a ball in the corner of the crib, passed out. And he slept the rest of the night. However, I did not. Tossed and turned alllll night. And I have been super crabby all day. Luckily Rudy was off, so after I took Ryder to his class (last one of the session), I took a 2 our nap. Woke up even more tired! Figures. We should have just skipped class because I had to wake Ryder up to take him and he wasn't thrilled about that and was grumpy the whole time.

So far tonight, not a problem. I am crossing my fingers that he just needed one night of crying! Only time will tell.

Other than that, things are good. Ryder enjoys pulling everything out of the tupperware cabinet, pulling things off the 2nd shelf - and now today he discovered the 3rd shelf of his bookcase and has to stand on top of books to reach up there. He is one smart cookie. We have his 9 month check up next week! Where does the time go?

In just a few weeks we are traveling back to Illinois and Iowa to visit my family and for my cousin's wedding! We are super excited to see everyone and for a change of scenery. I can't wait to take Ryder to the farm and for everyone to meet him.

Sorry for the horrible writing - hope it makes sense. I am way too sleep deprived right now. I am sure there is more, but right now I just can't remember. Going to bed!