BAD DAY

Dear Kurt,

Why is it that today even the tiniest things make me want to scream. Or cry.

Actually both.

Basically this is the gist of my day so far:

Brand new computer got a virus. Can't be fixed.

Baby food all over me and baby. Baby just laughs.

You were suppose to have a short day. You won't be home till late.

People don't give credit where credit is due. Hurt my feelings.

Homemade granola bars turned out gross.

Can't find fabric that I want for an affordable price. Annoyed.

Baby is sleeping. You're not home. Friend hasn't texted me back.

You called. You're having a bad day too. I'm sorry.

I think we need a change. What I really want is for 90 degree weather. Then we can hang out outside all day and soak up the sun. Can we move to Arizona right now?

Sincerely, Lori

SLEEP TRAINING

Dear Brittney,

Here is my Reader's Digest version of my sleep training experience:

Usually I would feed Brooklyn and it would take five minutes max to rock her to sleep. Then about a month ago it started getting harder and harder to rock her to sleep. Around 3 am one night she woke up, I fed her, but instead of falling right back to sleep like she usually did she was wide awake. So I decided I was going to let her "cry-it-out". (Even though I promised here that I would never do this again.)

Ok, I will confess I was really tired and the rocking chair in her room is not that comfortable.

Anyways, it didn't work. (more on that here).

The next night she was acting really tired but after I fed her she still didn't fall asleep. We had some friends over and I needed to show them something on the computer so I put her in her crib. I didn't hear one peep from her. She had fallen asleep all on her own.

The next night was basically just as easy. So was the night after that. Now I put her in her crib while she is awake but sleepy and most of the time she falls right asleep. Sometimes I have to put her binky in her mouth once or twice but usually I don't have to.

Ok. So, that was night time "sleep-training".

For her naps I would rock her to sleep and then put her in her swing. But last week I thought "I have to start putting her in her crib for naps before she gets too big for her swing." So nap-time "sleep-training" began.

I read online not to let them cry for more then 40 minutes. The first time I tried putting her in her crib she cried for the 40 minutes (I would go in every ten minutes and put the binky in her mouth) then I rocked her to sleep. The next time it took 30 minutes before she dozed off. The next day she was asleep in ten minutes.

Nap time is not as easy as night time and morning nap is way easier then afternoon nap. Morning nap she will fall asleep without crying at all. Afternoon nap she will cry for 15 minutes or so.

But I have noticed a huge difference in Brooklyn. She was pretty easy before but now she plays by herself for long periods of time, she started rolling over again, I can put her down for naps and nighttime easily if we are at someone else's house, she just seems happier too.

Did you sleep train? Are you thinking about doing it?

Sorry my Reader's Digest version of this story became an essay.

Love your buns, miss you tons.

Sincerely, Lori

BAD MOMMY

3 WEEKS OLD

FIVE WEEKS OLD - PHOTO BY DANIELLE

TWO MONTHS OLD

SIX MONTHS OLD

Dear Brooklyn,

Today I am a bad mommy.

First - You woke up at 4:30. Usually I would feed you, you would quickly fall back to sleep and then I would put back in your crib. This time was different. After I fed you I looked down and there were two huge eyes staring back up at me. With four hours of sleep and only six the night before I decided (even though I swore I wouldn't try this again) that now was the time to let you "cry-it-out". I thought it would take 20 minutes at most. Two hours of almost pure crying and about 15 trips to your room to give you your binky later, I picked you up and rocked you to sleep within five minutes.

Second - I always put you in your bobby while I get ready for the day. Today I got all ready then I ran downstairs to get your clothes out of the dryer. As I was coming through my bedroom to go into the bathroom where you were, I heard a loud bang and then you screaming. I ran into the bathroom and found you facedown on the tile. You had somehow wiggled yourself out of the seat and fell face firs into the ground.

I felt like the worst mom in the whole world.

I'm sorry. Tomorrow I will be better.

I love you.

Sincerely, Lori