Wyatt's World: Weekend Wrap

This extended Labor Day weekend was both a time for partying and a time for getting serious. I'm going to get the business out of the way first, then, we'll get to the partying...

We've been reading a few books, as well as Googleing our fingers off, to figure out some new strategies to get Wyatt to sleep a little bit longer during the night, extended his times in between feedings, and, get him more sleep during the day for his naps with the only condition being that they happen in his co-sleeper. According to one text, we could get him to sleep through a feeding after 3 straight nights of good solid work in establishing the pattern. The plan was this...feed him in the normal 8-9 ish window, then put him down for bed. Assuming he slept 3-4 hrs with a good tank up, we could feed him again at midnight, then, plan on pushing him through the 2am (a.k.a. the "dream time feed") feeding by comforting him back to sleep should he need to be comforted.

Saturday, Amy sorta handled it herself, and he made it about 3 hrs or so, which was a good step. The nice thing is that he didn't have a hunger meltdown at 3am, but rather, just kinda squeaked an eventually went back to sleep. Sunday night, it became a tag-team event. At midnight, Amy gently placed Wyatt back in the co-sleeper after his feeding, and we switched places in bed...I was now sleeping next to him while she slept in my spot. It was my duty to try to comfort him if he woke up in a tizzy all hungry at the 2/2:30 time, and get him back to sleep to wake up again at 4. Apparently most of these little folks have troubles transitioning between their sleep cycles, so, if you can at least help kick-start the next one, they can learn to comfort themselves and just keep going eventually. So, like clockwork, he started fidgeting around 2:05, and, as I tried to stay out of his line of sight so he could put himself back to sleep. He let out a small squeak, so, I quickly picked him up, walked him around for about 5-6 minutes. He immediately fell asleep when I put him against my body, but, wanted to make sure he'd marinate a little bit more and really get the cycle started before I put him down.He didn't wake up again until about 4:15, so, mission accomplished there. Phew. Added bonus, when he woke up, he wasn't crying or anything, he just smiled up at Amy and giggled (I heard it), ate, and went back to sleep.Last night (Monday) we did it again, and this time, we skipped the midnight feeding instead of the 2am...the goal is to get 4 hr stretches at night, it doesn't really matter where they fit in, with the ultimate plan being that he progressively sleeps though the night with minimal feedings, but most importantly, can soothe himself back to sleep (this is the key!). So, Amy & I switched places at 10:30 (he ate at 10), and, it was deja vu. One huge positive thing was that it literally took me 3 minutes to get him back to sleep before placing him back in the co-sleeper. He then slept again until about 1:45, but started clicking/flailing either due to gas, or, he was really that hungry. Again, no crying, just a squeak knowing it was time. Amy fed him, and, we put him back down after a holding him upright, and, he slept for a little while longer. He has been waking up pretty regularly between 3:30-5 with some gas, and, he's been trying to find his thumb, so, he's working himself up into a mini-freakout with all this stuff going on. It's really hard to get him back to sleep after this, but, he's learning...which is gggrreat!!!!

Onto the fun!

Ok! So, Saturday, we decided to make it a day out on the town and enjoy the gorgeous weather.Before we left the house though, we made sure to grab the awesome outdoor blanket our friends Jordan & Shannon gave us as a baby gift, for the plan was a picnic! We ran a few errands for mom at first, then, took Wyatt to Rock the Cradle for some new clothes (we had a Groupon that was expiring). We ordered lunch from Sputnik, where I had a TLT (Tempeh, Lettuce, Tomato) sandwich which absolutely blew my mind, while Amy got a Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich with Tofu. We set up shop at this cute little park on 3rd & Ogden, just enough off the main drag of Speer and enjoyed our lunches as Wyatt slowly woke up. We sat & played in the shade for a few hours, then, went on and finished our errands. It was an awesome day, with some really awesome weather!!! Sunday, I woke up early, and, got out for a quick ride while Amy & Wyatt bit off a little bit more sleep time together. When I returned, I was able to releive her so she could go for a run before it got too hot, and, then it was off to more errands. This time, we headed to the grocery store so we could get back on our regular regiment of cooking our meals for the week (lunches & dinners). Wyatt ate a good sized lunch, and, pretty much passed out from about 1 or so to 3:30. During that time, I was able to cook up a few delicious dishes for the week, and, Amy was able to just chill out and read! That night, we went over to Sarah, Mike, & Abel's house for a super yummy dinner as prepped by Sarah. The boys kicked, cooed, and made all sorts of funny faces together while laying on one of Abel's little play mats. The parents of course were witnesses of the "cute-off", but, at times were busy grilling each other about their parenting experiences/successes/etc. It's funny what we talk about. Anyway, we left with our bellies full, faces smiling, and one tired little baby boy. Monday, we had the pleasure of having Mike & Kelly come over for brunch, and then join us for a neighborhood family walk. We always enjoy their company, and, this time was no less special. Heck, they even provided the food!! Such awesome folks. We love 'em. Later that day, we rolled over to City Park to see our friends both with & without rug rats. It's amazing how fast the older kids are growing and developing in just a year, and, it creates this amazing sense of excitement for us! We got to see the Fitzsniders (Mike, Sarah & Abel) again, which is always a treat no matter what, but, also hung with our old posse, which, in turn, actually knew Mike & Sarah through some funny connections! What a small world it was. Eventually, we headed home around 6 or so, ate some dinner, and, bathed the little man. He got dressed in his pjs, and, we all hit the hay at 8:15pm! We were all pretty worked, but, it was mostly from having such awesome friends, and, awesome times!!!

Next up for us is more nighttime & nap work, with some heavy emphasis on bottle feeding. Mike & Sarah gave us a new bottle to try, as we've been 0 for 4 since last Tuesday in taking the bottle. Maybe this week things'll be on the up n up for that!! Until next time, here are a few pics...