6 Months, Part 1

So Bean is nearly 6 months now. A lot has happened since we brought our little Valentine home and frankly, I'm exhausted. 

Part 1: Sleep

Remember my post on her 4month wakeful period? Well, that has extended into the following two months and has only regressed further. We went from 1-3 wakeups at night during month 3 to 3-5 wakeups in month 4. And then, month 5 hit... It was HOURLY! Can you imagine? Waking up every hour from 10pm-8am?! It's not fun, even if its that gummy grin and this chipmunk cheeks starring up at you. She wasn't waking up to eat. I honestly think she was just lonely and wanted to snuggle. So, we went from being sooo proud that Bean was sleeping in her own crib in her own room at 3 months to back into the pack and play in Mom and Dad's room. Then... "NO NAPS!" The girl just would. not. nap. She was tired... Fussy, red eyes, ear tugging, eye rubbing, giggles... Full hysteria in this household. Not only was momma not getting any sleep, Bean wasn't getting any sleep! (Then there's my one friend L & H who's boys sleep 12 hours a night like pro's... Who want advice from them?! They've had it easy... I'm so jealous! But really, they do give many suggestions and I'm thankful for their support.) So, it started out slow... By 5 or 6 am, I was soooo tired and sooo fed up with getting up, that I would bring Bean into bed with me. Well, this is kinda nice... We're both snuggly people, daddy leaves in an hour or so then we get the whole bed to ourselves. AND THEN! Bean sleeps 3-4 hours without waking up! There were several days that we didn't wake up until 9:00-9:30. A few times I had to wake HER up! Can you imagine?! Well, I go about researching safe co-sleeping. This is not a new thing, people and cultures have been keeping their infants in their beds for centuries. It's actually recent that adults got this crazy mentality that this tiny human, who is used to being held and rocked and fed constantly, could and should learn how to be all alone in a room and bed and go 8-12 hours without contact or feeding. THAT'S INSANE! I don't mind the night feedings/wakings so long as they're 3 hours or more apart (I know Bean can go much longer stretches without waking.) But, this idea of co-sleeping intrigues me and we give it a try. Bean lays down in bed with me and falls to sleep on her own. She wakes a few times at night but only enough to roll towards me and give my top a little tug. A slight waking for mom, let out the tap, and Bean nurses and we both fall right back to sleep with barely a memory of any of it. She goes on to be in bed/sleeping for 12 hours. 12 HOURS! But then, the down side... I'm used to moving around in bed, switching my sleeping positions, snuggling with blankets and Hubby too for that matter. Now I'm waking up with sore shoulders and headaches from my sleeping positions. And I miss hubby... A few more nights and Bean has really taken to it and my body is getting used to the new sleeping arrangement, I wear warmer PJ's to bed and Hubby and I make time for each other in other times of the day. We both agree, Bean is welcome in our bed any time she wants. For me, I'm thankful that we have found a way to get everyone much needed rest.