road trip and other trials...

It's early. I'm typing in the dark from a hotel room in Baltimore. It's foggy outside and it feels like 5 in the morning though it's 7. Yesterday we drove down here - it took 8 hours. Sean cried a lot of the time - sometimes letting up when Amy Winehouse sang from the speakers. I might be sick of that album, for now. It plays in my head when it's not on.

We are on day 7 of trying to break Sean from his night time feeding frenzy. Last night was sort of ruined. 8 hours in the car led to not enough milk. Sean is not a public eater, doesn't like to be anywhere but a bed (I don't blame him, really). So naturally he was extra hungry last night. Things seemed to be getting better at home, had him down to a whimper from a roar, but last night he was roaring. I gave in at 3 AM. I do have hotel room neighbors to think about. I hate taking a step back.

Back to the road. Things didn't get off to a great start. We left at 10 and not 8. Also, an hour into it we were already having lunch at a rest stop. Sean dropped a chicken mcnugget on one of my new Ugg boots, leaving an ugly dark strip of grease across the top. It was my first time wearing them.

Things ended well; the hotel room is nice - has a little living room & kitchen & wide screen TV. James Joyce Irish Pub sits across the street and we went there for Guinness and fish & chips for dinner. I hope it's a nice week and we venture outside for a couple of adventures.

xo

Breaking the habit...

OH BOY - it's been a few interesting nights around here. By interesting I mean hellish. It was expected though. We are trying to break Sean from his nighttime feedings cold turkey. I believe I mentioned in a previous post that Sean breastfeeds all night long - too much information for you? No one is forcing you to read.

We began this process on the night before his 15 month mark. I fed him to sleep as I always do in our bed. He woke once (he usually wakes more) and I fed him again. It was 10 when we went to bed (Eric headed to the spare room). Sean didn't wake as I crawled into bed (I'd planned to give him one last feeding) so I left him alone, deciding 8 PM was a fine time for a last feeding for God's sake. So he woke at 11 screaming crying and wanting one thing and one thing only . I walked around with him until he miraculously fell asleep. I got 2 hours until he woke again at 1. Again, I walked around till he fell asleep again for 2 more hours. I thought this might not be so bad. No no no. Come 3 AM he was insane until 6 AM. But I did not give in. He'd cry, then stop, then cry, then stop. It was bad. At 6 I gave him milk and he drank drank drank. Then for the rest of the day it was the same old 2 sips here and there. So last night was harder. He was not comforted by me walking him around, he was twisting his little body around and almost falling out of my arms because I was so weak and tired. Eric came in from the guest room and walked around with him. I retreated to the guest room. At one point I woke and forgot where I was, but I knew I didn't hear Sean breathing and sat up in alarm. I went in and there the boys were, sleeping on the bed. I happily jumped back into the guest bed. Sean cried several times through the night and each time I'd get up and ask Eric if he was OK and each time I got to go back to an empty, glorious bed. At quarter of 6, Eric came in and got me, Sean was screaming in the background. I went in and took care of Sean. SO that's it so far. I pray he gets the hang of it and drinks more today or else I don't know if I can face tonight. But it's happening! Roughly between 8 PM and 6 AM I am determined that he not drink. I mean, I'll offer him water from a sippy cup or whatever but I have to be honest with you, it feels good not to be suckled on all night. I feel half free. So I am beat and a little worried about driving a car today (haha). Stay tuned....

xo