It's been awhile since I've posted, so I'll try to recap here without being too long-winded!
First up...SLEEP. I am happy to report that things literally did a 180 on us about 2 weeks ago. I literally hit the "Pay" button on a sleep coach for a training plan, and before I could even read it all and start, Merritt started sleeping soo much better. She has been sleeping through the night, or only getting up once (that's happened only 4 times). She went from getting up 1-2 hours after I initially put her down and then 3-4 hours after that, to going to around 7:30-8 and sleeping until about 5. She still needs a small feeding at 5 and then sleeps until 7. Life is so much better - my anxiety is down, I am almost too rested (it's amazing how you get used to no sleep!), and I just feel happier. I do know that things could change at any moment, so I am armed and ready with our sleep plan (stages for teaching Merritt not to nurse to sleep, and put herself to sleep at night and for naps).
NURSING - When Merritt was not sleeping and up all night, I had a hard time weaning or trying to wean her for some feedings because she was keeping my milk supply way up. Now that she's leveled out, we are doing much better. She still nurses in the morning and at night, and only one other time during the day. The rest of the feedings are babyfood and 2 formula feeds. She's doing much better with her drinking and is downing at least 8 ounces of formula a day. I think she has finally figured out how to drink consistently. Again - I felt a huge weight lifting from me with this new step!
FOOD - I was worried about Merritt's inability to want to eat finger foods. But, she has mastered this as well:) I feed her organic jar baby food (I just like how much thicker it is), yogurt melts, cheerios, and puffs. She's also had small pieces of cheese, bread, and pumpkin muffin.
SCHEDULE - I admit I miss summer and it's spontaneity but I also believe that a schedule has been really good for all of us. I take Emma to school at 8:45 and Merritt always falls asleep on the way home. I let her stay in the car (with it running in the driveway), and she sleeps for about an hour to an hour and a half. It's not perfect, but it works for us right now. I go inside and clean, get things done, and sometimes just sit and do nothing for a few minutes:) She doesn't transfer well, so I'm not messing with her once she falls asleep. We go to get Emma at lunchtime - I wanted Emma to stay for lunchbunch more often, but her school raised the price from $6 to $8 a day, which I think is insane. I truly value the work her teachers do, but that's a big jump, and for those who don't work - a lot of money. She won't be able to stay but once or twice a week:( I have been packing our lunch and we try and have a picnic or run an errand during this time. We stay out until about 2:30 and the head home, where of course Merritt falls asleep in the car (stop judging), and we let her sleep while we go inside. Because Merritt nurses to sleep, I haven't had much luck with naps lately. I was spending 30-45 minutes nursing her to sleep only to put her down and she wake up. For right now, this method is working, and I'll work on it later!
EMMA - Miss Emma is on year 2 at preschool and I think she's doing fine. I still question whether she needs more stimulation during the day (more than what 3 hours can give), so I am finding afternoons challenging sometimes. I think I've found that if I take us somewhere after school, that helps. She doesn't want to do any activities, and while I wish she did, I also don't want to chase a crawling baby around while we wait at some activity. Trying to entertain a 10 month old in public places isn't easy, or sanitary.
That's it for now! I'll post some pics in another post of what we've been up to. We are headed to the beach today if Emma starts to feel better - she has strep throat:( We are all hoping she didn't share it with anyone else!
