We're getting there...

On Friday night we started our own version of sleep training and it went pretty well.  He slept on his own from midnight until 7:15 am and nursed three times.  Don't get me wrong we were awakened throughout the night with his screams and grunts but we stayed strong and did not bring him in bed with us, well until 7:15;)

Saturday our friends came over and we had a fabulous day at the beach and bbqing at our house.

Lucas was just about a complete angel.

He almost always is when other people are around but isn't that how it goes?

Saturday night on the other hand was a bit rougher and Kevin ended up holding him starting at 5:30 am. It's so tough because Lucas is the loudest sleeper when he's on his own but put him in our arms, on his stomach (I know, we're not supposed to do that!) and he will sleep 2-3 hours with maybe one or two screams.

Sunday we went and walked around our little downtown.  I am still in love with this place...it is so cute!

Sunday night was horrific.  We went to bed at 10 pm and the screams started at 11 pm and DID. NOT. STOP.  Lucas was spitting up a lot and I caught him choking a few times so I did not feel comfortable leaving him alone on his back so I held him all night.  Since Kevin is working I really try not to ask for his help on weeknights so I was up all night with our little bug.

Who, me?!

Monday went about the same.  He wanted to nurse about every hour and was full of cries and screams. I have to be honest and say I broke down a few times also.  When Kevin came home I pretty much had a complete breakdown...I was exhausted!  What about the binky you may be asking? Well, he won't really take it.  If I put my finger in it then he'll suck but he won't keep it on his own.  We're not giving up yet but I'm not sure he will take it.  My middle sister reminded me that one of her besties, who is a nurse, has a toddler who never took a binky either so I asked her advice because I physically did not think I could keep up with the nursing.  She immediately called me.  I could not be more grateful.  She explained the makeup of milk and how nursing that often will make Lucas feel like he is on a sugar high and make him gassy so that I should try getting him on a nursing schedule.  I have been afraid of the word "schedule" because we want Lucas to be able to go with the flow.  I think of schedules being you have to do something at a specific time every day but in this case a schedule just meant making Lucas wait 2-2.5 hours (I wait two if he's hungry then) in between feedings but if he'll go three then that's fine. (Remember I have a 12 pound one month old.  This kid is not getting a shortage of nutrition!)  This just means I get a break in between feedings.  It might sound cruel but its not.  He isn't hungry every hour, he just wants to be calmed by me so I need to find other ways of doing that (like taking Lucas on long walks in the Moby). I immediately started this last night and so far so good.  Lucas slept on his own all night and fed every 2-3 hours.  Today I stuck with it and pretty much Lucas was on board.  The last half hour couple hours have not been fun but I think that he is just fighting sleep.  I'm really hopeful right now and that is a great feeling.

So content in my arms!