Operation Mommy Needs Sleep

A sleeping baby is quite possibly one of the most precious moments. I often find myself just watching all of my kids sleep because they look so peaceful. The world has slowed and they are safe resting, growing, and dreaming. If you scroll through my camera roll you'll find 100 photos of Collin sleeping. Most look almost identical but I keep taking them because he just looks so sweet.

Most of you know I am a firm believer in the consistency of a sleep routine and for Collin it was time. His naps are really good. 9, 1 and 5 in his bed. He is doing those great. Now while I am strict on the time of sleep, I am lenient on where my kids sleep. 9 times out of 10 Hannah and Jack find there way into my bed at night and that's okay because this time is short and to be honest, they give me comfort too. So I would have been totally fine keeping Collin in the little yellow bed right next to mine forever if it was working, but it wasn't. I'm even cool with letting Collin sleep in bed with me, but that also started not working. So we decided to move to his own room in the big boy crib. First we tried the Merlin's Magical Sleep Suit which was magic for Jack. I tried it three nights. Each night got worse. He absolutely hated it. So that plan went out the window. Enter operation Mommy needs sleep. For months Collin would wake every 2-3 hours at night to eat. He was hungry. He wouldn't cry, just quietly wake, eat a whole bottle and go right back to sleep. While not ideal I knew he needed the food so I did it. But then something changed, I felt like he went back to early newborn days. He started waking every 30-45 minutes. I tried to keep up with him, but I was just so tired. Three nights ago I decided to let him cry a little and see if he could self soothe. Well the answer to that is no. He went down at 8pm. I knew I was in trouble when 8:45 hit and he was crying. The routine pretty much went the same the whole night, I'd let him cry, then go in and soothe him and set him back down. No bottle (which at the 4 month old appointment, the doctor said was fine). The second I set him down, he'd scream, set the clock...repeat. He cried the entire night from 8pm-6am except for the brief intervals of me soothing him. Seriously worst thing ever. I cried with him at one point, because my heart hurt, but I knew if I gave in, the madness wouldn't stop and no one can survive on waking every 30 minutes. So I was strong while I cried by myself outside his door praying that God would give him comfort. Collin cries real huge tear drops when he cries. I've never seen anything like it which makes it even more sad. The next day his voice was hoarse. I felt so bad to think I had a role in that. The last two nights he as only woken up twice. Once at 2am (6 hour stretch) and once at 5am. I still think he should be doing a little better by 4 months but that is so much progress in just 3 days so I am very hopeful. Maybe tonight's the night :)

PS. Totally off topic, but he can do the caveman tripod sit for about 10 seconds alone. What! so strong. That seems really young to sit. I've always said if they sit long enough for you to step back and snap a picture it counts so I'll try that soon.