Sunday, April 19, 2015
Dear Harlan,
At the end of this month you will be 4 months old, and that
means that for 3 ½ months I have been trying to write all of this down. I keep
a running list on my phone of things that I want to tell you about. Write
about. Remember. So here it is – Sunday night before the start of another busy
week. It has rained all weekend, which your Dad and I loved because we can
relax and listen to the rain on our roof and the wind outside.
You just went to bed. Well – about 45 minutes ago. We bathed
you, then I gave you a massage, which you finally like. We put your jammies on,
and then we nursed and you are asleep. I washed my pump parts out for morning,
switched the laundry, and opened up a pint of ice cream. In the last few weeks
you have started going to bed between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. – which I love.
Although during the work week I feel two ways about it: 1. I wish you would
stay up longer because I don’t get to cuddle you during the day. 2. I can’t
wait until you go to bed – because I can go to bed too.
Since you were born you have loved to sleep. In fact, that
is what sent you to the NICU initially because you were sleeping too much as
your body was trying to fight off an infection. Once we got you home though,
you continued sleeping 3 to 4 hours at a time instead of the 2 they all told me
that you should. You slept through most of the night right away – going to bed
around 10:00 and waking at 5:00 or 6:00. Now - that isn’t quite the case – you go
to bed early – 8:00 or so - and then you are usually up a few times in the night.
I am okay with this, but I do plan on asking Dr. Drake if that is
developmentally appropriate. Only because I want to make sure you are getting
the nutrition that you need. That is a whole other discussion. Anyway, you
always, always, always – no matter when you last went to sleep – wake up at
7:00 a.m. Therefore I know that you are my child, because so do I. Lately you
have fought waking from about 5 am unitl 7 – you have the loudest gas and it
sounds like it hurts. In the late morning hours I turn you to your tummy
because I know that you will sleep better if I turn you. I’m sure your sleep pattern
will change again soon – but I want to say how much I love how we have
approached sleep so far. You have really set the routine and we have responded
as such. You have shown us that you are smart when it comes to your rest, and
for that I am thankful.
For example, you sleep the most calmly when you are tucked
up against my body. Therefore, I often sleep on my right side, with you in
between your Dad and me, for hours at a time until you wake up. When you do
wake up I take you to your nursery to nurse. Lately that has been much faster
as we don’t have a shield and are mainly on breast milk. You eat without
waking, and quickly go back to sleep –as do I.
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| This is often how Dad finds us when he comes to bed. |
In the evening you take a cat nap around 6:00 or 6:30 for 30
or 40 minutes. It seems to allow you the energy for a nighttime routine of
pajamas, lotion, book and visiting and then – sleep. Your Dad loves to read
Seven Blind Mice to you and you respond beautifully – eyeing the pages. If you
are ready to finish the book before it is over – you let us know and we move on
to food!
I can always tell when you are tired because your eyes turn
red or droopy, and you begin to cry – a bit – more like a whimper. As soon as I
cradle you with a pacifier you relax your eyes and go to sleep. If anyone tries
to put you in the cradle position when you are not sleepy – you let them know
you do not like that.
At Grandma’s you are napping several times throughout the
day, which I am so thankful for. If you were in daycare right now, they would
have you on their schedule. Grandma and Aunt Jodie let you create your nap
schedule. Usually at 1:30 you sleep the longest – especially if Grandma is
rocking you or if you are napping on Aunt Jodie. We call Aunt Jodie the Baby
Whisperer because whenever you are upset – which is not often – she can calm
you down and have you asleep in the blink of an eye. Mom and Jodie both say
that you keep yourself up because as of late you just want to talk and talk and
talk. That’s okay. We all love to listen to your beautiful little voice. Aunt Jodie said that is just like me.
Last week you started talking in your sleep – it made Dad
and I giggle. It was so sweet.
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| Napping at Grandma's House |
I went back to work almost a month ago – and you seemed to
have settled into your sleep pattern about that same time. I call that a true
gift from God.
This morning you went to church with Dad, Aunt Jodie and me.
Then we went to Tiger Bowl for lunch. I’m not sure if it is the church that we
will keep attending, but you were SO engaged. You loved the stained glass and the
choir singing. Lots of people came up to you to say “hello.” Then at lunch you
ate a bit, and then fell into a nap.
Tummy time seems to be your thing lately, and tonight when
Dad and I put you on a new mat, you almost rolled over.
Before I say anything else I want to say what a Happy Baby you are. No matter who you see or what is going on, you always manage to smile. People often comment on how smiley you are - and we agree. Dad thinks that is because we smile, talk and laugh with you often. I also attribute the time that you have spent with family and how you have absorbed the positive mood that happens when you are around. However, I love your serious moments too - when you are studying the faces and tones that you hear. It makes me think you wise - and that is a constant prayer I have for you.
And Harlan, you are beautiful. You might not like to hear that when you are older, but it is true. Not only your long eyelashes, or ever changing eyes that sparkle so bright - but your Spirit. It is clear that you have a beautiful Spirit that we were entrusted to care for - as you show us patience, true and innocent love- and peace.
Love to you and Godspeed.
B
