Teeth and Sleep

I will say this over and over again, once you THINK you have things figured out, everything changes. Flipped the axis, stirred the pot, etc. One would think I would stop being surprised when this happens. 

For MONTHS, Madison has been on a night time routine that has worked for us like a charm! Totally predictable! Well... Someone has finally started to sprout her top teeth! A few months ago, we swore she was cutting her top teeth, but they never showed. Now, we know one is coming for sure and I can only guess the other will be here soon. The past few days, she has changed how she wants us to put her to sleep. For the past few months we have been shamelessly rocking her to sleep each night. I will go ahead and state, I do NOT regret this one bit. The time I spent cuddling with this precious girl will always be my favorite! That being said, if she were to go back to needing to be rocked to sleep, I'd do it!  A few days ago she started insisting that she be walked around her room to fall asleep. Like the puppet that I am, I did it! It became more complicated when every time I'd lay her down once she was asleep, she'd wake up and start fussing to be held again. My twig arms and aching back could only take so much of holding and walking my growing girl around!  One night, I did it. I let her fuss. I left her room completely exasperated. I had no idea at this point she was teething, so I was frustrated that I couldn't figure out what was wrong. This whole "walking around the room" thing was new, so I wasn't sure what I was doing wrong in her eyes. My back was screaming and my arms were aching so bad! I had to leave to cool down a bit. 

This is always a trying time for me. I'm so frustrated that I know I need to leave or walk away from the situation a moment, but I feel so incredibly guilty and sad that I left her upset in her crib. Sure crying never hurt a baby, but it still yanks my heart right out of my chest. This is why we never did any version of the cry it out method.  I cannot sit there and listen to my angel cry and wonder where her mommy went and why did she leave. I just cannot do it. I want her to know she is so loved and that I will always be there for her! I read in my Happiest Baby Guide to Sleep by Dr. Karp that there is a less stressful method of going in there to calm them down, but each time taking a a little longer to go in their room.  This lets them know you are there and can comfort them when they need it but also that mommy and daddy aren't going to be puppets.

I didn't turn the monitor on because I knew my weak soul would give in. I just sat on the couch and tried to think of something to watch that would distract me from going in her room for a couple of minutes. To my surprise, she settled down very quickly and by time Aaron had come home from work, she was already starting to fall asleep. The past few nights we have done this and she seems to have taken to it. It's not full proof yet and by time it is, she will do something else, but it amazes me how things such as growth spurts and teeth can change habits that we think are set. This whole put herself to sleep thing, I think, will be better in the long run, but it sure has been taxing mentally on her daddy and me!

Naps are a completely different story. We have tried the "soothe yourself to sleep" thing during nap time and I think because it is so bright in her room, we end up walking as long as we can around her room to get her to sleep. No one is perfect, but one thing I do know and I hope Miss Madison knows is that Mommy and Daddy love her so much and try their hardest to make her feel that love and be one happy baby! Now hurry up teeth and get here!