School started about 2 1/2 weeks ago for the boys. It has been a big change for all us since Alex is now in middle school and on a different schedule than the younger two boys. Ben says his only complaint about school is that he misses Alex :) Florie, however, has undergone the BIGGEST change. Her three playmates are gone all day now. The first few days she was pretty clingy to me, and more whiney than usual. After that we started to get into a "routine" with a typical schedule most days.....but that is when she was SO happy during the day and SO not at night!!!
I have always stayed with Florie until she went to sleep at night, laying beside her in bed until she fell asleep. We have adjusted things over the few months she has been home....bottle in bed, bottle downstairs and now bottle, brush teeth, read, snuggle and sleep. She had been sleeping pretty well, maybe only waking once or twice a night every few days. BUT WHEN SCHOOL started, she stopped. She would wake up like clockwork at 1230 am or 1:41 am and cry for me (I have been slipping out of her room once she is asleep for several weeks). When I would go to her, I would lay back down with her....but neither of us fell completely back asleep. She constantly felt for me...with her hand, foot, leg, etc, to be sure I was still there. If I rolled over away from her (to try and save my back!), she would wake up and cry. After about 4 nights of this, both of us were grumpy and unhappy.
It was time for a new "routine." The next night, I took her to my room and showed her that is where Momma sleeps with Daddy...and let her pick one of my shirts to keep with her. Then we went to her room and talked about where Florie sleeps. WITHOUT Momma. She said NO NO NO.....but we went on with bottle, brush teeth and book, snuggle routine, then I told her it was time to lay down. She did, and I sat on the end of her bed, patting her until she fell asleep. (We did put her dog, turtle, and baby on my pillow :)). She slept soundly that night. I did too. My throat and ears quit hurting and my patience grew! The next night, same thing. Last night, I was out of her formula and thought she might drink soy milk which she liked in CHina....no such luck. She did wake up at 1:41 am again (ON THE DOT.....what happens at 1:41!!!) and I did go to her, patting her till she went to sleep.
It has been a good change...one we needed. I am still there, supporting and loving on her, but trying to guide her to be more independent a little at a time. Plus, it will hopefully make it easier for others to put her to bed too.
Of course the ultimate goal is to do the whole bedtime routine, pat for a bit, and then have her fall asleep on her own.....and i know that will come in time. We (ahem, me) are just not there yet!
Sleep....wow. It is a beautiful gift! I can conquer so many more things rested!!!
Love,
Eve
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