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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Rocket Scientist, Brain Surgeon...Mom

There are a lot of professions that take years upon years to develop the skills, intelligence, intuition, and abilities in order to properly function in the profession.  People take thousands of hours of classes and practicums.  They spend decades developing and advancing their technologies and furthering their professions.  These professions are truly amazing.  They're not meant for the average person.

Motherhood is similar to these professions - except that you're not given years to prepare or thousands of hours to perfect your skills and enhance your knowledge.  It's a "learn by fire" career.  And, yes, it is a career.  If lucky, you're given nine short (although they may seem long at the time) months to prepare.

Some may say that a girl prepares all her life to be a mother.  But, is this really true?  From a young age we "play" mom, and we may even babysit or work as a childcare provider.  But, is this truly learning how to be a mom??  I would argue that these things may slightly help, but they don't come close to preparing you.

No one tells you all of the "careers" you will have to learn as a mom.  Here's a list of the few I've had to already learn:

  • Hair stylist/Fashion designer
  • Medical care provider
  • Psychiatrist/Counselor
  • Nutritionist/Gourmet Baby Food Chef
  • Interior decorator
  • Engineer (that furniture doesn't go together by itself)
  • Repairman
  • Car Seat Technician (this is as close to rocket scientist as I'll ever get)
  • Travel Guide
  • Opera Singer
  • Dramatic Book Interpreter
  • Comedian
  • Fitness Trainer (Someone's got to motivate Baby to eventually move)
  • Photographer/Videographer
  • Interpreter (Baby words are often difficult for others to understand)
  • Shepherd (Dogs may work well with sheep, but not so well with babies)
  • Educator
  • Sanitation worker
  • Airplane pilot (it may be just an imaginary plane, but Baby still likes it)
  • Financial adviser (Baby's got to save for college somehow)
  • Taxi driver
  • Etiquette instructor

These are just a few of the professions I've had to learn on-the-go.  Feel free to add to the list.  And, if you're just getting into the job, remember that to your baby, there's no one better than you!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Thirsties Duo Wraps

I just visited a local baby store this week.  It's a half consignment - half local mothers' sewing club store.  I fell in love with it!  Granted, my husband may not have fully appreciated my purchase...I didn't make it much past the front counter with all of the beautiful handmade hair bows, clips, and hats.  But, my baby girl is now the proud owner of a hair accessory to match every possible outfit! 

While in the store, another customer was asking questions about cloth diapering.  I couldn't keep my mouth shut.  She and the owner of the store had never tried cloth diapering.  The owner had tried selling cloth diapers previously, but said they weren't that successful.  Then, she showed me the diapers she had tried to sell and no wonder!  These weren't the pull-on pants, but they were close.  I could see leaks happening within minutes of diapering my baby.

Thankfully, Thirsties knows how to prevent leaks!  As with my favorite diaper, the Thirsties V2, the Duo Wraps are a pleasant surprise at ease of use and prevention of leaks.  These covers are similar to their sibling, but have some major differences to point out. 

Both the V2 and Duo Wrap covers have leg gussets (my diaper cover MUST) which protect against leaks for even the scrawniest child.  These also are very useful once Baby starts kicking and moving all around.  The Duo Wraps also have a variety of colors available - although not the degree of assortment as the V2s.

The Duo Wraps come in only two sizes due to their ability to grow with Baby.  They also come in both Velcro and snap fasteners so that you can choose which you prefer (I, personally, prefer the Velcro due to ease of fastening and adjusting when you have a squirmy baby).  However, one of the downfalls of this product is that the size charts, in this user's opinion, is not accurate.  These covers are tighter than the V2s and; therefore, don't allow for the extra folds when you're moving up sizes in the cloth diapers.  While the product information says Size One goes to 18 pounds, I had to move up to Size Two at 14 pounds.

Overall, Thirsties does it again with the Duo Wrap covers. And, the best thing is, after my visit to the baby store, I now have hair bows to match all of my Thirsties Duo Wraps!






If you like this review, then check out the Thirsties Duo Wraps:

              

Monday, September 20, 2010

Through the eyes of a baby

Mondays are a difficult day for me.  Not only is that the first day of the week that I need an alarm clock, but it's also the day that I have the most errands to run with the least amount of energy.  Mondays seem to drag on and on and on.  Well, in the Pacific Northwest, come September, Mondays become even longer...the rainy season has started, the days are getting shorter, and my "Happy Light" returns to my office desk.  I don't look forward to Mondays in the fall.

If you add being a mom to my September Mondays, then things get even stickier.  I can no longer take my time running errands because my time is taken up with each errand and the fact that I now have someone else to care for besides myself.  I remember when it used to take me five minutes to run into the bank.  Now, it takes me five minutes to get Baby out of her car seat, five minutes to go into the bank, five minutes for everyone to talk about Baby, and five more minutes to get Baby back into the car seat so we can move onto the next stop.  Errand-running time takes 4x as long as pre-Baby days.

But, I was reminded today of just how great it is to be a mom.  During that extra time of buckling Baby back into her car seat, she just sat there smiling and laughing at something.  I looked around for what it could be, but couldn't find anything. 

Before Baby, I wouldn't have thought twice about errand running.  I would have simply gone about my tasks - not looking around at what others are doing or seeing.  Yet, my Baby saw something that made her laugh.  I still don't know what it was, but it made me stop and think...even on a dreary September Monday, my Baby found something to smile about...maybe I should too.  After all, I get to spend every September Monday with Baby!

Just a thought...seeing the world through the eyes of your baby makes every day a little bit more special!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Feeling Sexy: Before and After Baby

Every woman wants to feel sexy.  The definition for each of us may be slightly different.  For some, it's wearing stilettos while doing dishes or taking an hour to fix your hair that way you love to fix it, but never have time.  Others may feel sexy while dancing to that favorite song that you and your college roommate danced to while getting ready for a night on the town.  For me, it's what's underneath that counts.  Yes, I'm talking about the undergarments.

Let's face it, during pregnancy and afterward, it's hard to find nice bras and panties.  The nursing bras feel more like sports bras or the kind that your grandmother would wear.  You can't wear any Wonderbra, Very Sexy, or other bras that keep things in place.  No, you're relegated to the no underwire, no push up bras that don't cause clogged ducts and are padded - not for the sake of enhancing, but for the purpose of absorbing milk should you decide not to wear nursing pads.  The panties aren't really even panties - they're underwear.  They're the kind you bought because you didn't want to ruin your good panties.  They're as close to Granny panties as you can get while still being able to say they're not actually Granny panties.

While my husband keeps trying to remind me that he still finds me sexy (bless his heart!), I found a few ways to work around the lack of sexiness in order to make myself feel better - and sexier.  I found a local store that sells camisoles with lace around the neckline and hem.  I bought them in a size bigger than what I would typically buy (after all, I have to be able to nurse with them on - and they're not made for nursing).  I wear them under my shirts to add a little bit of embellishment to my otherwise drab attire - so as not to bring attention to the spit up or pureed carrots I tried to clean off my shoulder.

With all the other stresses that lead to the feeling of being a bit frumpy (lack of sleep, loss of hair, increased weight, etc.), sometimes it's just the little things that matter to make you feel sexy once again.  I encourage you to find that little something - whether it's making Daddy watch Baby so you can give yourself a pedicure, actually fix your hair, take more than a five-minute shower, or just take a bubble bath.  I can guarantee that, when you make the time for you - even if just a little time - you'll feel better and it will resonate into everyone around you!

Friday, September 17, 2010

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

Ever since becoming a mom, I've realized just how great it is to be a child - especially a baby.  Think about it...you have someone else taking care of your every waking need.  You're fed, changed, warmed, loved, burped...it's one gigantic party!  Well, since it is Baby's party, I guess that explains why sometimes she just wants to cry.  This week has been no exception!

We've had a busy week. Not only was it time to get more shots, but we're also getting ready for more family to visit, a possible move, trying to finish up end of the fiscal year work, and started eating solid foods.  All of these things have truly affected Baby's sleep schedule and Momma's sanity.


We've also learned a new thing this week...Mom is going to have to let Baby cry a little longer sometimes!  Now, I am probably not going to be the mom that does the whole Ferber method.  Fifteen minutes is about as long as I can go before I'm in tears too.  But, I did come to realize that Baby has learned the art of cause and effect: if I cry, Mommy will come get me.  She knows that this is especially true at 10am, 5pm, and especially 2am.

It's difficult to change parenting styles as you go.  We started out as a newborn tending to every cry - just trying to figure out what was wrong.  We learned those cries, but now that she's older, those cries have changed.  She's learned that she can get what she wants (which is often just a little more playtime or not to take a nap) by crying.

While I don't yet have an answer to what to do, my husband and I are trying out a lot of different methods.  We actually attempted the Ferber (cry-it-out) method, but after two hours of on-again-off-again crying, Mommy needed it to stop or she would have gone crazy (Baby is very persistent - or strong-willed - and immediately smiled as soon as Mommy picked her up!).  I have also taken all dairy out of my diet in the hopes that will relieve any digestion problems potentially associated with Baby's fussiness.

If you've gone through similar experiences, let me know what you did!  If you're going through this experience now - or in the future - rest assured (no matter that the rest is limited) that you're not alone!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Would you like pain or no pain with that delivery?

Brigitte Bardot said it well when she said, "I am not finding pregnancy much of a joy.  I am afraid of childbirth, but I am afraid I can't find a way of avoiding it."  There are a lot of fears that come with childbirth.  One of the biggest fears that faces many women is the amount of pain during labor and delivery and whether or not to get pain management - either in the form of narcotics, an epidural, or simple pain coping techniques.

During one of our childbirth classes, my husband and I were asked to separately answer a simple question about our idea of how to manage pain during labor and delivery.  We were given a piece of paper which had a scale of 1 - 10: 1 being "I want no pain at all.  Give me the epidural as soon as I enter the hospital" and10 being "Under no circumstances do I want any type of pain medication."  For me, I chose # 3, "I'll go a little bit with pain, but I want an epidural!" and my husband answered # 7, "I'll consider pain medication as a last resort."  Obviously this led to some discussion about the topic - with me primarily saying that, unless he wanted to grow a uterus and deliver this baby, I was going to be the only person involved in making this decision!

After much discussion and some answers from our childbirth class instructor and my OB, I learned a lot about pain coping during labor and delivery.  I actually decided to change my answer to a 5 - "I have no feelings one way or the other.  We'll see how it goes!"  And, while I recognize that pain management is a VERY personal decision, here's what I did to manage my pain:

My water broke at home and contractions began shortly after - this is a rare situation since many women's water doesn't break until after contractions begin and sometimes not until broken by a medical professional.  By the time I arrived in labor and delivery, I was in pain.  I was having terrible back labor and, before the nurses could even take my vitals, I was requesting to get into the tub.  This was one coping technique that was highly recommended during our classes.  The tub helped a lot.  I turned the jets on so that they hit my back and remained here as long as the nurses would allow it (about 15 minutes).

After the tub, I decided to walk...A LOT.  I was told that walking would help with the pain management as well as speed up the progress of contractions.  And, while it did help with the pain, it did not speed up my labor.  If choosing to walk, I would recommend not doing it by yourself as the contractions can be quite overwhelming.  There were times I had to stop and hold onto my husband just to stay standing.

I also tried the birth ball.  This was very relaxing as I was able to lean forward and help Baby get into an anterior position (posterior is what was causing my back labor).  When I was tired of using the birth ball, I would alternate to leaning against the bed.  The hospital beds are an amazing tool.  They can be lifted high enough so that you can put your head on the bed without bending over (since I'm 6 feet tall, I found this wonderful!).

As time progressed and certain natural pain coping techniques either got boring or stopped working, I began to consider an epidural.  I knew that I did not want any narcotics - even though they can help take the edge off.  I had learned that the narcotics enter my blood stream and then, in turn, enter my Baby's blood stream.  For me, I didn't want this.

I continued to try more natural techniques: squatting, laying on my side, having my husband massage my lower back - head - shoulders, listening to music, watching TV, breathing (sounds obvious, but it's not when you're in pain), and focusing on baby names (we still hadn't chosen any).

After sixteen hours of labor and many, many more hours of no sleep, I was exhausted and Pitocin had already been started.  The Pitocin really cranked up the volume on the contractions.  I thought that I had been in pain before, but now I could hardly breathe during contractions and couldn't focus on anything except the cringing pain in my abdomen.  So, I decided it was time for the epidural.

I was very nervous about receiving an epidural.  I do not like needles to begin with, but a needle into my spine and then a catheter going into my spine?!  However, the epidural was the best thing I did for myself.  After receiving the epidural, I had about fifteen minutes before it was really kicked in.  The pain of the contractions subsided and I was able to breathe again.  I was also able to relax and attempt to get sleep - which sped up my labor.

After a couple of hours with the epidural, it began to wear off.  I was feeling the contractions with the fiercest force I've ever felt.  I called the nurse and the anesthesiologist was able to come and adjust the levels.  Fifteen more minutes and I was back to pain free.



For my next child, I might consider doing things naturally longer, but again...we'll see how it goes.



Products you might like:

     

Imse Vimse Organic Cover

I'm a huge fan of purchasing all things organic.  It's nice to know that it's still possible to purchase items without synthetic materials or chemicals.  But, I'm also a big fan of function and guaranteed performance.  Sometimes, it's possible to have all of these things in one item and sometimes it's not.

In the case of the Imse Vimse Organic covers, I have a mixture of opinions.  The design, durability, and feel of the covers is excellent.  The leg gussets guarantee that no mess will squeeze through the cover as my baby is moving all over the place, plus the soft texture of the organic materials allows for movement of Baby's legs and torso without restriction.

But, because there is no plastic layer within this diaper cover, wetness can - and does - occasionally seep through to Baby's outfit.  I also have found that it's best to switch to the next size earlier than the weight chart says.  My baby outgrows these covers about two pounds earlier than the size chart indicates she should.

Starting at $15.40, these covers are some of the cheaper organic options available, which makes them a good deal if you only want organic material around your baby, but in this mom's opinion, I'll stick with the covers that provide better guaranteed performance - even if that means buying non-organic.



You might be interested in:

         

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

A Mother's Schedule

I look at my daughter every day and think, "Life would be great if I could just return to being a baby!"  Think about it.  People want you to sleep.  They fix your food for you and even feed it to you. They're happy when you burp, fart, poop, or pee.  You get praise for simply saying "ma ma" or "da da", smiling, laughing, sitting up, standing up, crawling, walking, or even just doing nothing at all.  Plus, you've done a full day's work after simply playing with toys all day.  Oh, this is definitely the life!

A mother's day, on the other hand, is never finished.  We spend all day taking care of our loved ones, making sure they have everything they need, fixing broken toys or mending torn clothes, reading stories that rhyme, singing songs about farm animals or the wheels on a bus, and then try to find time to sleep to have the energy to do it all over again the next day.  This is not to mention that some of us also have "day jobs" to complete as well!

I am lucky enough to have a husband who attempts to understand all that I do in a day.  But, his lack of understanding isn't completely his fault.  He comes home from work and asks me how my day was.  Most of the time I simply answer, "Oh, the normal."  And, this is partly true.  But, how can someone really understand what normal is for a mother if they've never been one?  Well, here's my normal schedule (realizing that I work out of my home)...
2:00 AM (when lucky)
Awoken by crying child who needs either to be fed, changed, comforted, sung to, reassured, or generally loved
6:00 AM 
Awoken by same child who is ready to start the day.  Diaper needs changed.  Child needs fed and clothed
6:30 AM
Child is entertained by mother who is also trying to take a shower and get dressed
7:30 AM 
Mom begins her "day job", entertains child, and eats breakfast simultaneously
8:00 AM 
Child takes first morning nap
9:00 AM 
Child wakes and is ready for the next meal and a diaper change
9:30 AM 
Child entertains mom while she tries to work
11:00 AM 
Child takes second nap of the day (thankfully, the longest nap).  Mom continues her "day job".  Mom also tries to remember to eat lunch
1:00 PM
Child wakes up hungry and in need of yet another diaper change
1:30 PM
Mom has to change clothes because child has spit up all over her.  Mom and child read together (Mom has the books memorized)
2:00 PM
Mom and Child go on a walk or take a trip to the local coffee shop
3:30 PM
Child takes nap # 3 while Mom tries to determine what to make for dinner
4:00 PM
Mom tries to tidy up the house before Dad returns home
4:30 PM
Child wakes up ready to eat and have another diaper change
5:00 PM
Child plays while Mom tries to keep the house clean and not burn dinner she is making
6:00 PM
Dad arrives home and says what a long day he had while he takes shoes off and relaxes on the couch
6:30 PM
Dinner is served
7:00 PM
Mom cleans dishes and tries to prepare leftovers for Dad to take to work tomorrow while Dad plays with Child
7:30 PM
Child is ready for a bath, given by Mom
8:00 PM
Child is fed for the (hopefully) final time of the day
8:30 PM
Mom reads books to Child, sings songs, and says nighttime prayers
9:00 PM
Mom cleans up (yet again) the mess from the day
9:30 PM
Mom tries to get ready for bed while throwing a load of laundry into the wash
10:00 PM
Dad goes to bed while Mom checks email and breathes
10:30 PM
Mom changes the laundry from the wash to the dryer
11:00 PM
Mom goes to bed


If you're a busy mom, leave a comment below telling us how you stay organized, find time for yourself, or generally keep your sanity.






Products you might like:
  

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times; it was pregnancy...

We often think of pregnancy the way that we see it in the movies: happy, cheerful, and finished within two hours.  But, the reality is - just as Dickens wrote - that pregnancy is both the best and worst of times.  Pregnancy is filled with excitement, curiosity, worries, fears, weight gain, and more. 

I'll never forget the second that I knew I was pregnant.  It was not due to a positive pregnancy test...that came later.  It was due to my becoming absolutely furious with my husband because of some trivial thing that I cannot recollect.  My hormones were raging, and I knew that something was different.  So, I took the test, found out my suspicions were indeed correct, and immediately was ecstatic - did I mention those hormones???

My husband and I decided to wait to tell people that we were expecting.  That's easier said than done.  I managed to do this (after only telling a few people that I knew wouldn't let the secret slip), but it became harder and harder as the morning sickness sank in.  I had to come up with excuses for constantly having to go to the bathroom ("I'm just not feeling very good right now", "I think something upset my stomach", "I must be coming down with something", etc. etc.).  I had to wear baggier clothes (not only to hide my ever-expanding midsection, but also because none of my regular clothes fit). And, I had to try not to draw attention to my ever-expanding top section (of which, normally being a B cup, was quite impressive to me).

Eventually the time came when we decided to tell people.  With this, I began to receive advice.  Now, it's not that the advice was necessarily good or bad, but when it's your first time being pregnant and you receive an overabundance of advice (on top of hormones), it can be overwhelming.  Worries and fears began to set in.  Was I actually ready to be a mom?  Was I doing the right things, eating the right foods, and not allowing myself to be around influences that could harm my baby?  Did we have enough money to start a family?  Were we too old?  Were we not old enough?  Which room would be Baby's?  What things would I need for Baby?  The questions came and came and came.

Thankfully, in between all of these questions, worries and fears came the doctor's visits.  Here, every single visit, my doctor would bring in the little device that would be placed on my belly, and I was able to listen to Baby's heart beat.  Now, I must admit that - at my nine week appointment - I had a "Rachel" moment and didn't recognize the heartbeat until the doctor described it, but this sound constantly eased my worries and fears.  Every time I went back to the doctor, I knew that Baby was growing and his or her (we didn't find out the gender) heart was still beating.

But, then I'd leave the doctor's office and go back to the real world of people saying stupid things, hormones raging, crying, anger, etc. etc.  My husband would constantly remind me to let things roll off of me, but that's easier said than done when you don't feel like yourself...and you technically aren't completely yourself since there's another self growing inside you. 

As pregnancy continued, time began to slow, but we continued to prepare.  With each item we checked off our to-do list, it seemed like ten more items were added.  But, we trudged on or, in my case, waddled on.

The home stretch was approaching.  I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I was seeing my doctor on a weekly basis.  I was feeling contractions.  I was timing contractions.  Contractions reached the 5-1-1 that's discussed in the child prep classes.  I called the doctor.  He said it was too early and to go to the hospital.  So, I went and my labor was stopped.  I left...still pregnant.

I waited and waited and waited...until, more contractions, then spotting (from my childbirth class this was a definite sign to call the doc).  He told me to go to the hospital.  I went.  I waited and waited and waited.  My contractions were right on top of each other, but I wasn't progressing. It was still a little early, so no inducing.  Finally, I went home...still pregnant.

I gardened; I cleaned; I crawled up and down the stairs on my knees.  I ate fresh pineapple, eggplant Parmesan, and spicy Mexican food.  I tried everything there was to kick start the labor.  I was miserable. Contractions came and went.  I wasn't sleeping.  I was furious.  I squatted.  I walked.  I scrubbed floors, the toilets, the shower, and more.  This baby was never coming out.

Then, I stood up.  I felt something odd.  Did my water break?  Nah.  It couldn't be.  I called the doctor.  He told me to come to his office.  I knew this wasn't for real, so I took a shower, called a friend to take me, packed my bag (I recommend packing sooner), fed the dogs, and waited.  My friend came.  I sat in her car.  The contractions came...and came...and came.  I arrived at the doctor's office.  I couldn't breathe.  I couldn't wait.  He saw me.  He told me it's time.  So, I called my husband and told him to leave work. 

I arrived at labor and deliver.  I was having contractions right on top of each other.  This baby was coming.  I waited...and waited...and waited.  Fourteen hours later, no baby.  No epidural.  No food.  No patience.

The doctor came.  I was checked.  There was progress, but not enough.  I was given Pitocin.  The contractions came...and Came...and CAME!  Two hours later...no baby...GET ME AN EPIDURAL!  Then, calm.  Ahhhh...the relief.  But, still no baby.

I tried to sleep.  I felt nothing.  I was singing songs of praise to my anesthesiologist.  Four hours later, the nurse came.  She checked me.  There was Baby!  The doctor was called.  The husband was awoken.  The room was prepared.  Excitement came.  The doctor came.  Nausea came.

I pushed...and pushed.  Baby arrived!  There was crying.  Nurses were busy.  The doctor was busy.  My husband announced, "It's a girl!"  No more waiting.  No more fears.  No more worries.    Adrenaline was pumping through me.  I held my baby.  I was happy.

And, pregnancy was over.

Bummis Super Brite

Coordination is important.  I am constantly trying to convince my husband that brown shoes do not go with black pants.  The same is true with my baby.  While she may not recognize the need for this skill yet, I continually try to implant it into her mind so that she'll be the fashion-forward child that I wasn't in the 80s.  With this in mind, Bummis Super Brite diaper covers offer a unique opportunity for teaching color coordination skills while preventing leaks and providing a high quality diapering option.  

They're called Super Brite for a reason...the diapers are SUPER BRITE!  They come in four different color designs (green, blue, pink, and orange) with multi-colored, dotted circle design.  White is also an option but, in my opinion, why go for white when you can have Baby stylin' without anything on?  This cover has leg gussets which, in my family, are proven in preventing leaks.  They also have Velcro that covers the entire front of the cover, allowing for a secure fit as Baby grows.  The cover is waterproof and thinner than some other covers - which can be felt when trying to squeeze Baby into some of those pants that say they're one size when, in reality, they aren't.

I'm also a big fan of the edging material.  Some diaper cover manufacturers seem to skimp on this aspect of the cover - causing a greater degree of leakage when you have those "shoot-up-the-back" moments that always seem to happen at the most inopportune time.  The edging on the Super Brites has never left me disappointed (or covered in you-know-what).

This cover is slightly more expensive than other diaper cover options, but it is tried and true.  At $12.25 each, you can still diaper Baby on an affordable budget.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Establishing Night Time Sleep

Since I assume that most of you reading this are either mothers or women who want to eventually be mothers, then we each know that our child (or child-to-be) is the brightest and most well-developed child out there (who wouldn't agree?!).  Our prodigy child wants to see and do everything - especially at night.  And, as mothers, we all know who gets to wake up during the middle of the night to teach Baby that, when the moon is out, we sleep...us!  A mother's physical need for sleep seems to diminish during the first months after Baby arrives.  But, our mental need for sleep is still ever present reminding us - day after day - that we are exhausted. Well, establishing night time sleep isn't impossible, and this blog will tell you how I did it and had my baby sleeping through the night by nine weeks old (which, for her age, was six hours of blessed, uninterrupted sleep).

I read many books prior to Baby's arrival about establishing a good sleep habit.  On Becoming Baby Wise: The Classic Sleep Reference Guide Used by Over 1,000,000 Parents Worldwide andHealthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child were the two most helpful books.  Through these books I realized that I could establish a pattern for my child's day - without taking away the basic needs of my child.  It was really pretty simple.  I started my schedule after Baby woke up.  I would immediately feed her and then we would play, read books, or do other wakey time activities.  Then, when she was tired, I would let her go to sleep.  While I tried not always to comfort her to sleep (i.e., nursing or rocking to sleep), I also realized that occasionally this was going to be the only way I would get any sleep.  So, I did what was needed for my own sanity and the health and nurturing of Baby.  I will admit, occasionally Baby slept with me just because I knew she would sleep.  I don't think there's anything wrong with this because it made me a happier and healthier mom so that I could grow a happier and healthier baby.

Over and over again, I utilized the routine: sleep, eat, play.  At first, Baby would sleep for an hour, then eat for an hour, and then play for 5-10 minutes, then go back to sleep.  However, as Baby grew, so did the time between each activity.  She would sleep for longer periods of time during the day, take less time to eat, and stay awake to play longer.  So, as she grew, we were developing her daytime schedule.  Throughout the day, we would follow the simple routine and she knew what was happening.  I also got to know Baby's cries because they became associated with our schedule.  If she had just woken up and was crying, I knew she was hungry.  If she had been playing for a while and was crying, then I knew she was probably sleepy.  

While this schedule didn't give me immediate nighttime rest (I was still waking up every 2-1/2 to 3 hours to nurse Baby), it did allow me to know if there was something else wrong.  If Baby woke up before the usual time, then I knew she was either gassy, had a dirty/wet diaper, or there was another problem.  While it sometimes took time to find the problem - and sometimes she just wanted to spend time with Mommy - I had some peace of mind that I was doing what was best for my baby.  Through utilizing a daily routine, I was able to determine times that I could take a shower because Baby would be napping and times when I could do chores because Baby would be awake and want to look all over the house while riding in our carrier.  Life was getting a little bit easier.  

Now, I am not advocating a parent-directed, hyper-schedule.  There are always going to be times when Baby needs extra food, attention, or naps.  But, I am advocating trying to establish some sort of sanity routine so that both Mom and Baby can find time to relax and rejuvenate.  After all, the old adage is definitely true: When Mom is happy, everyone is happy!
So, for those of you who have gotten your kids to sleep through the night, please feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.  As mentioned previously, all babies are different.  What works for me may not work for you, but hopefully together we can help each other out!