Whoa, Saturday

on October 21, 2012
in All Posts

Saturday was… ahhh.. interesting.  We spent most of the day at the new office hanging shelving.  I knew we were in for a long haul, so I brought a ton of toys, the jumper, and a pack and play so Henry could play and sleep as he normally would. 

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It took a long time, but the end result was well worth it.  We keep more than 1,000 different types of physician-grade supplements in stock, so we need a LOT of shelves.  Lookin’ fly. 

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(Foreshadowing: I look exhausted because I am.)

 

We drove home, and Kristien offered to do nighttime duties, so I went on a run.

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While running, I got a text from my buddy Nicole asking if I wanted to hang out.  I said, “Heck yes,” and promptly turned around, turning my intended four miler into three.

 

I got all dressed up – even wearing heels, a rare occurrence since The Naked Face Project – and drove to her place.  We ended up going out to a swanky restaurant and drinking a little wine.  Lots of women talk ensued.

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I made it home for my 10:00 PM curfew (Henry’s first wake up) and was informed by the Hus that it was probably going to be a horrible baby night.  From 7 – 10, Henry woke up five times.  From 11 to 7:30, he woke up nine more.  It was so, so bad.  This is actually the third night that he’s done this, but last night was by far the worst.  Pretty sure it’s a sleep regression… or Henry is trying to kill us.  One or the other.  At 7:30 AM, I called DadHTP and asked him to pleeeease come relieve us, which he did, securing his place as grandparent of the year. 

 

We rewarded him with lunch and coffee when we finally woke up.  DadHTP regaled us with fun stories from the poll places (he works as an observer to make sure the electoral process is a-okay). 

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I guess you can technically call this brunch.

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Potatoes

Scrambled Eggs

Steamed broccoli

Caramelized onions

Corn Relish Salsa (from Trader Joe’s)

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Whew.  What a day (and night).  Now that I’ll gotten a nap and decent meal, I’m feeling a lot better.  Here’s the tackling what’s left of Sunday.

{ 44 comments }

 

  • Sana October 21, 2012, 12:51 pm

    Oy. This post is excellent birth control!

    • Clizia October 21, 2012, 1:04 pm

      Haha! I second that, Sana!

      • Kelly October 21, 2012, 1:13 pm

        Agreed!!

  • Morgan October 21, 2012, 1:06 pm

    Sounds like the typical 4 month wakeful period. It’s pure hell. We were there with the 8+ wake ups a night. I know how hard it is… You are doing a great job as his mom!

    • Caitlin October 21, 2012, 1:09 pm

      HOW LONG DOES IT LAST????

      • K October 21, 2012, 1:20 pm

        For most people, a couple of weeks. Take heart, it will pass! My husband and I just did whatever it took to survive, including a few 2am walks!

        • Caitlin October 21, 2012, 1:39 pm

          Weeks?!?!? Ahhhh

          • Claire October 21, 2012, 1:57 pm

            Be lucky if it only lasts a few weeks – we’ve only just returned to pre-4-month-sleep-regression sleep now, at 10 months. We had a few decent weeks in the past 6 months, but between regressions, growth spurts, teething, crawling, standing, walking and two colds, we’ve been up 4-7 times a night most nights since our girl was Henry’s age. We’ve just returned to 2 wake-ups a night, and it feels wonderful! This was when co-sleeping and side-lying nursing was ESSENTIAL – especially during the growth spurts when my girl’s milk intake would sky-rocket and it would take my body a while to adjust to increased production.

            And you’re SO lucky that your FIL can come and watch Henry while you napped all morning! It always seemed like our worst nights were midweek, so I had to go into the office for 9 hours the day after the bad nights. I would have killed for a nap! And you were a brave woman to go out at night in the middle of the sleep regression – I was (and still am most nights) in bed asleep by 9 pm.

          • Morgan October 21, 2012, 2:37 pm

            Ours lasted a month…and then we were down to maybe 4 wake ups a night? Not the most encouraging thing to say right now, I know…but my daughters sleeping patterns at that age sound a lot like Henry’s.

            I swore I’d never co-sleep, but that’s what eventually helped us for a while. It sucked because my husband slept in the other room while I slept with the baby, but #1: she slept better in our bed #2 even when she did wake up, at least I didn’t have to physically get out of the bed. It made a world of difference (for my sanity) during that horrible wakeful period.

            For what it’s worth, she’s now 11 months old and sleeps from about 7 pm-3 or 4 a.m. and then goes back to sleep until 6:30 or 7. It’s not perfect, but I’ve accepted that this is who she is. One wake up after 8 or 9 hours of sleep is fine by me.

          • Megan October 21, 2012, 3:32 pm

            Yeah, it’ll pass. I remember that, and our sleep regression coincided with a vacation, sigh. Good times! It didn’t last long, though, it just had to do with her new awareness of surroundings, plus some milestones.

            Now we’re a few months past that into another sleep regression. My baby has been rolling all over the place and trying to crawl (?), so sleep isn’t happening. The joys of parenting. I love watching her grow, though, it’s so wonderful, I have moments of realizing this, even though I feel like I’m losing my mind at times too. Ha!

    • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) October 21, 2012, 3:07 pm

      We totally went through this with Clara at 4 months. It’s awful but it WILL pass. Not fun when your in the midst of it though. Lots of coffee is needed!!

      • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) October 21, 2012, 3:09 pm

        I even gave Clara a bath at 2:00am one time. I was desperate. I gave her a warm bath followed by some lavender lotion in hopes to get her sleepy. Thankfully, that night, it worked.

        • K October 21, 2012, 11:06 pm

          We’re at 6 months and still in the regression! We are finally out of the 10x a night wake ups and at more like 5x (on a good night). He just cut 2 teeth and that seems to have made a huge difference in his restlessness! It is hard, Caitlin, but remember that sleep improvements (and setbacks for that matter) are never linear. The easier stuff never lasts, but neither does the bad stuff! Try to have a sense of humour about it and if you are comfortable, bring him to bed so you can nurse and sleep. It has saved us and I have absolutely no worries about developing “bad” habits. One of two things will change: his sleep or your attitude about his sleep! There are so few places in the world where babies sleep in their own rooms, away from parents. This is a totally modern, North American discourse of sleep training and self-soothing. I think it’s so crazy that we seem to think that sleeping through the night ought to be a goal. Sure, it must feel great to get lots of sleep, but what connects us as parents is our ability to support each other through the hard times. We’re here for ya, girl!

          • K October 21, 2012, 11:09 pm

            Oh, and just want to add: I totally support and understand that people need to sleep train (using any method they choose). I don’t mean to judge other parents living in completely different contextual realities. I also work and understand that people need to make choices that are right for their children. I just meant to say that the preoccupation with “good” sleep is particular to certain parts of the world.

  • Laura October 21, 2012, 1:11 pm

    Call me hormonal, which I know I am, but this post made me cry when you said your daddio came over. That is oh so sweet. Good luck, Caitlin…hang in there. You’re doing great and be thankful you have such strong parent help!

  • Kandie October 21, 2012, 1:14 pm

    I can totally relate–our kids didn’t sleep through the night until they were at least 1. Even at 2.5 my little one still wakes us up at night, climbs into our bed, and proceeds to kick and climb all over us. We are suckers to we let him, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. They are annoying, but the cuteness makes up for it 🙂

  • nicole October 21, 2012, 1:23 pm

    My little guy has been up like this for weeks. Its horrible. Im tired. EXHAUSTED. And have another one to look after. If you come across any tips please please PLEASE share!!!! We contemplated having baby number three but this has definately made the decision easy. We are done! 🙂 Good luck. You are a great mommy. Love reading your posts as they are so so real! Hope you get some rest.

    • Caitlin October 21, 2012, 1:39 pm

      Haha no tips from me. I don’t blame your decision. The husband definitely said last night that he was done after Henry.

  • Kerry October 21, 2012, 1:27 pm

    You look great, I don’t think you look exhausted at all! And what a great grandpa coming over to help 🙂 Sounds like he has a really fun job this time of year.

  • Angie All The Way October 21, 2012, 2:44 pm

    Sleep deprivation is a very special form of torture. It’s pure hell. It’s kind of like the minute you think you can’t possibly take any more, you do. You can always handle it, you just have no idea how you do it. One day it will pass. It could be next month or it could be next year. Every child has his own timeline. It was 8 months of every 2 hours and he would only nap for 30 mins on.the.dot. I can honestly say it left me a little traumatized worrying about having to go through it again with #2, especially with a very attached 2 year old who wakes up at 5-5:30 a.m. like clockwork. Like HOW can I possibly go through that again having to get up at 5:30? I’m ready to roll the dice again though – this time I’ll get a sleeper, right?!

  • Michelle@Peachy Palate October 21, 2012, 2:50 pm

    At least you got in some girly time before that night of restlessness! Is he teething?

    • Caitlin October 21, 2012, 3:40 pm

      I don’t think so!

  • Ashley October 21, 2012, 2:55 pm

    You are an excellent mother… <3 and you are hanging in there! I hope this passes quickly… I am a nanny and this is normal for a baby his age and I'm hoping he'll move through it fast!

    Also.. what an AMAZING father you have… really truly, his love for you, your hubby and Henry shines through loud and clear with his kind actions… <3

    and a big *HUG* for you, keep up the great mama work!

  • melani October 21, 2012, 3:30 pm

    hey, caitlin! i’m a relatively new blog reader that was sucked in when your little guy was having sleep troubles as mine started at about the same time. the past two days i’ve used a white noise machine in his room. fingers crossed, i think it’s making a world of difference!

    for nicole who also commented, this is my third, so believe me, i’ll take whatever help i can get!

  • kaitlin October 21, 2012, 3:37 pm

    So I’m sure you know more about this than I do (un-babied at 23!) but my friend with a baby told me that many times the babies won’t sleep through the night when they’re going through big developmental milestones, because they need more food and their brains are growing! No idea if it’s true, but maybe Henry has something cool up his sleeve soon 😉

    take care, and yay for new office space!!

  • Dominique October 21, 2012, 3:48 pm

    My 4 month old did this last Sunday and Monday – but it only lasted those two nights. The rest of the week she’s slept okay – not great but certainly more manageable than waking up every 20 minutes. Good luck – and he might actually be teething and it’s hard to tell. I had her at the doctor on Thursday because she had a fever off and on all week and a rash on her face and the doc said that was all teething symptoms. She’s also constantly chewing on her hand and loves the cold chew toys.

  • Janelle October 21, 2012, 4:05 pm

    Ugh, I hope the sleepless nights end quickly. Thanks goodness for grandparents! Fair warning – we had a week where we couldn’t get the babe to sleep for longer than a half-hour at a time. We tried everything. He was happy as a clam during the day, but grew wee devil horns at night. I finally took him to the Dr. out of desperation…and he had a double ear infection. I hope you are just dealing with sleep regression, or on the cusp of a very cool new baby trick!

  • Aja October 21, 2012, 4:45 pm

    I hope Henry starts to sleep again soon!

    Yay for shelves! They look good!

  • Laura October 21, 2012, 4:59 pm

    Your shelves look awesome! I love how you all are pulling together through this. Lol, as a current non parent I am a little scared of the future!

  • Jess T. October 21, 2012, 5:38 pm

    My son is only two weeks younger than your little guy (and, also named Henry, actually) and I thought that we had a rough night last night, but now the five wake ups don’t seem so bad! It was weird because they were all EXACTLY two hours apart, no matter how long he slept in between. I feel so uncertain about what to do, and I am really trying to be positive during the night because I do have a happy, healthy, growing baby…but man, we want to sleep!

    Have you been having Henry sleep in his crib? I have gone back and forth between co-sleeping, pack n’ play in our room, and his crib in his room. Tonight, we are trying the crib to see if that helps at all. Babies and sleep! Sheesh. It doesn’t help that all of my friend seem to have great sleepers.

    I really enjoy reading your blog, especially the baby posts and vegetarian recipes. Thanks for helping me learn how to actually make decent tofu! 🙂

    • Caitlin October 21, 2012, 6:17 pm

      He mostly sleeps in his crib now but occasionally gets pulled into bed with me or put in the swing. I do it because it calms him down but I’m afraid all these different sleeping spots are making it worse. Let me know if you continue to have problems w switching it up.

      Yay Henrys!!!

      • Carrie October 21, 2012, 11:37 pm

        I know it’s controversial, but we actually slept my daughter in her swing. She slept like a dream (we realized she liked it because she had been takig naps in it) and it really helped us as a family through the difficult first year. She would sleep all night even as a young baby. It was one of those cradle and swings. I feared the transition to the crib would be horrible, but one day it was like she basically asked for it. She transitioned herself! I believe it was around 4 or 5 months. We did put her in a crib and pack n play, as well and she also slept in the car. The changing never seemed to hurt anything.

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats October 21, 2012, 5:38 pm

    That’s awesome that you had DadHTP there to save the day! I’m sure he enjoyed the Henry time too. And I always wear flats, but I love to (very rarely…) wear heels and get dressed up, it’s fun!

  • jameil October 21, 2012, 5:52 pm

    This frightening post pretty much guaranteed we’ll be moving to Charlotte when we have children so my mom can save us some days!!

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More October 21, 2012, 6:08 pm

    I’m crossing my fingers you get more sleep tonight. And DadHTP – way to be a rockstar!

  • Samantha @ Mama Notes October 21, 2012, 7:17 pm

    WOW, you are so blessed to have such an amazing dad! (Grandpa!) I am a little jealous. 🙂

  • Sarah Jessica Farber October 21, 2012, 7:38 pm

    I have no baby sleep advice, but I have a message for Dad HTP: thanks so much for being a poll observer! That’s valuable work. And I’m six kinds of in love with that Trader Joe’s corn salsa – it’s so yummy. Maybe the sugar in that can help carry you through whatever kind of peculiar sleep torture baby Henners is putting you through right now. I hope it passes soon!

  • Stephanie October 21, 2012, 8:11 pm

    We had a great sleeper from 3 months until she started teething. Luckily we can just pull her into bed and 9 out of 10 times it calms her down (though last night she still cried every hour or so in our bed) but atleast we dont have to feed/change her. I never thought Id co-sleep at all but as a new parent you gotta do what you gotta do. If it weren’t for my mom I don’t know how I would have survived the first few months. You are also very lucky to have your dad. I cannot think of a better gift to a new parent than coming over in the morning to relieve you. Awesome job Dad!

  • Jackie October 21, 2012, 8:56 pm

    We had the same thing from 3.5 months to 5 months, most nights of the week (he’d maybe sleep well one or two nights a week [getting me falsely excited that he’d moved out of it]). It was PURE TORTURE! I was utterly EXHAUSTED for those months. And during that time, we did whatever we could to get him to sleep – sleep in the pack n play next to our bed, sleep in our bed with us, one night I even put him in the swing and slept on the floor next to it hoping to get some rest. I feel your pain!!

    BUT….but…they eventually grow out of it. At five months we were successful with sleep training (we had previously been unsuccessful) and moved him into his crib in his room. There was another TINY regression at 6 months (just a week or so – probably related to teething) and since then, he sleeps 6:30pm – 6:30am every night. No waking. (He’s 8 months.)

    I bought a book on Kindle called “The Wonder Weeks.” You don’t have to read it at once, you can just read the applicable chapter to your kid’s age. It describes cognitive growth spurts that are biologically timed, thus “wonder weeks.” According to the book, they go through a doozie starting at 14-17 weeks. Basically their whole perception of the World changes. The book is cool because it tells you games you can play to help them with what’s going on; and also has parents’ firsthand experience going through it. The book isn’t offering solutions, it’s just telling you what’s going on. (But in reading about how INTENSE his World must have been at that time, I felt more sympathy when I was up with him 5 times a night.)

    Hang in there. At some point this will just be a memory and he’ll sleep awesome!

  • Carrie October 21, 2012, 11:14 pm

    I have been there and remember how tuly difficult it can be during those types of nights. With everything, it ALL seemed Lille a phase. It would come and go…
    And come back! Even at a year my daughter was having trouble with the night waking. Each time I would be like “whhhaaatt? I thought we were done with this!” it did always seem to be due to something though. If it goes on several nights you might see if it’s an ear ache… Just rule out whatever you can. He seems too little for teethig, although I guess that could always be possible. I feel for you! It will get better soon. 🙂 its probably a short lived fluke.

    Good luck tonight!!

  • Leslie M. October 22, 2012, 7:16 am

    Caitlin, I am also doing poll watching in O-town. I was going to ask a favor, could you send me your zooma running plan if you have one, I am running the same race. I would appreciate it!

    • Caitlin October 22, 2012, 10:05 am

      I am not sing one yet. I am excited you are doing the race too!

  • Jeannette October 22, 2012, 1:33 pm

    My daughter is the same age as Henry and we are going through the same thing!! She has been waking up every 2-3 hours each night for the past few weeks and last night it was EVERY HOUR. Brutal. We are at our wits end! We’ve increased her bottles during the day thinking it was maybe hunger/growth spurt. We’ve tried putting her to sleep without the pacifier. Nothing is working so far. Tonight we are going to try to swaddle her- which we stopped doing a few weeks ago because she is almost rolling over and I am scared of her getting stuck and she was fighting her way out of it each night. But maybe she’s not ready yet? Let me know if you find a solution! I’ll be interested to read the comments and see if anyone has suggestions… I don’t want to believe this is just a “sleep regression” because that means 1) there is nothing we can do to change it but wait and 2) it assumes she will just get over it on her own one magical day and I don’t believe that’s the case since it’s been a few weeks already with no improvement. It’s got to be something wrong and something we need to help her with. Ugh, this is worse than her newborn stage!

  • Lauren October 22, 2012, 1:35 pm

    I’m right in the throws of a sleep regression with you, sister! I emailed you about it last week I think?? My daughter gets up at 4am and is like let’s party! Awesome! Just in time for daylight savings!
    Thank god for people like your dad. He’s an angel!

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