Caden's Baby Blessing

Four generations

The first Sunday in November Caden was blessed at church. Justin's family arrived several days before. The boys golfed a few times, we all (minus Justin, who was working) went to the Visitors' Center at the Mesa Temple, we ate out a couple times, and played Skip-Bo and Imaginiff every day. On Saturday my family and my brother and his family arrived, and I cooked a big meal that night. It was a mad house but so much fun to have everyone there and loving on Caden. He soaked up the attention like a sponge.

Sunday I dressed Caden in an outfit that was Justin's when he was a baby. We met the rest of the family (except Justin's grandma, who stayed with us) at church and took up two rows. Justin, his dad, his brother, my dad, my brother, and the bishop blessed Caden. We had also asked our home teacher, but he was attending to his own newborn son.

In the blessing, besides the usual remarks about a mission and marriage and the like, Justin said Caden would grow close to the Spirit and be an example to his family and others. It was a simple prayer with many blessings I hope come to fruition. Caden was great during the blessing, an answer to my prayers.

It was also fast Sunday, and all my family, including myself but excluding my mother, bore their testimonies. It was cute to see the younger ones go up there and help each other out. Neither Justin nor anyone in his family felt compelled to go up.

We left after sacrament meeting because my family had to leave early and we wanted to eat together before then. We took a million pictures outside the church. Caden was such a trooper but finally had enough and we went home. I made a pasta salad and Rocio made cupcakes and we all chilled until my family left and then the Lyles family left. Justin's family stayed for a couple more days.

It was a crazy weekend but very wonderful and fulfilling having everyone there. I enjoyed playing hostess too. Caden missed all the attention once everyone was gone and cried because he wasn't being held all day anymore.

One Smart Cookie

I've noticed it's a dad thing

Caden is one smart cookie (he gets that from me, of course). He started signing "milk" to me a couple weeks ago, much to my surprise and delight since I was told most babies don't begin signing back until 8 months old. We're still trying to work on "potty." It's very close to "milk" from a baby's perspective, so sometimes I'm not sure which he's trying to do. Infant potty training is going great. (Read more about elimination communication.) I catch about half of his pees and almost all of his poos, including at night.



Caden wanted to snuggle all night



We're making progress on sleep. I have been better about having a consistent schedule. Caden will take 3 naps a day, sometimes 2. We get ready for bed at 6:30 and have him asleep by 7. We put him in his crib until he wakes up (usually 20-60 min. later, though a couple nights ago he actually slept for 2 hours!) and then move him to our bed. Staying asleep is still a big problem. I'm trying not to nurse him as much at night, but I'm so tired and groggy it's the easiest thing to do. Otherwise I bounce him on the edge of the bed or try letting him fall asleep on his own as long as he doesn't cry bloody murder. He's been consistently waking up between 6:30 and 7. I miss when he used to fall back asleep and let me sleep in, but I am more productive during the day now.

I think he's starting to teethe. Any suggestions on how to deal with that?

Four-Month Stats

Already learning how to drive.

Caden is four months old already. At his appointment last week he was 13 1/2 lbs. and 24 inches long. His pediatrician says he has amazing core strength and head and trunk control. She absolutely loves him. Who doesn't? He got more immunizations (only 2 shots this time, I insisted) and did much better than last time. The oral one he took no problem; he's a good medicine taker, unlike me. The first shot he cried. The second shot he wailed. But he was comforted soon thereafter and fell asleep on the way home. No fever this time, just a little fussiness and lots of naps.

My little bugaboo in his Bumbo

A couple weeks ago he discovered squealing and loves to do it all the time, whether or not he is actually upset. He still sucks on his fingers 24/7 and discovered his right hand. He just stares at it while slowly half-closing it. It's kinda funny watching him. He also sucks on his blanket. He's in the grab-everything and stick-things-in-my-mouth stages. He took a pacifier occasionally and briefly for a few days, but now is back to spitting it out immediately. On Wednesday he rolled from his tummy to his back and now does it every time I put him on his tummy. He's partially rolled before but on uneven surfaces, like the couch, that helped him. This time it was on the floor. He's close to rolling from his back to his tummy; his arm just gets in the way. He tries to sit up on his own too. He's added "Popcorn Popping" and "Five Little Monkeys" to his list of favorite songs. I'm trying to teach him the signs for milk and change diaper. I'm also starting infant "potty training" with him, and this morning he pooed in his tiny potty chair. We're still working on sleeping (thanks for all the advice!), and I've realized it's our fault because we've never been consistent with him. Poor little guy. Once that hurdle is gone, things will be a lot better for all of us.

HELP!

I am in desperate need of advice for baby sleeping habits. It's causing some conflict between Justin and me because we have differing views, and we are trying to find a middle ground that works for both of us and especially for Caden. Here's the scoop:

Caden slept in the bassinet in our room for the first 6 weeks of his life. He woke up often to nurse, which I would do awake and then put him back down. This got exhausting. In Wisconsin I started putting him in bed next to me after nursing to limit my movement and awake time (once I'm awake, I take forever to fall back asleep). Once home, I tried nursing in the side-lying position in bed. I had tried it once before and couldn't get him to latch on right. This time it worked wonders: we both fell back asleep immediately, and that is how we became co-sleeping--more specifically, bed-sharing--parents.

As much as I love cuddling with my baby, I need space! No matter how far away I push him, he finds my armpit--yes, armpit--again and smacks, kicks, and chafes me in his sleep. A queen bed is only so big for 3 people, especially when the littlest one has an armpsan longer than a gorilla's. We want to transfer him to his crib now, at least for the first part of the night since he still nurses often and I don't want to walk a marathon every night.

Question #1: How do we teach him to sleep in his crib without letting him cry it out? Although I am not against it, I don't think it's the best way and I would rather try other methods first. Justin wants to do it, especially since our pediatrician suggested it (her oldest slept with them until kindergarten). Just today Justin and I compromised that Caden can sleep with us until he is six months and then I would do it Justin's way, so I have until then to figure something better out.

There's more: Caden likes to breastfeed to fall asleep. I don't mind except I can't do it all the time. It also makes him spit up more since he's eating when he's not hungry.

Question #2: How can I get him to fall asleep on his own when I can't breastfeed? He won't take a pacifier.

It doesn't end there. When I put him down once he's asleep, he usually wakes up. Lately I've been putting him in the swing in the off-mode, push it, and let it stop on its own. The problem is the swing is on loan and the owner is having her second baby in May. The past couple days I put Caden in the crib to get him accustomed to it, but he woke up after 20 minutes tops. If he falls asleep in the car, he wakes up about 10 minutes after we get home. As for nighttime, I'm starting to think that maybe most of the time he nurses at night for comfort, not for food. I would really like to stay asleep longer!

Question #3: How can I help Caden stay asleep? It's our biggest problem right now and solving it would help with the others, I think.

Finally, I am trying to get him on a schedule and find myself facing the above problems, making it difficult to establish a routine. I'm almost positive 10 a.m. should be his first nap time. His second depends on if he falls asleep at 10 or 11 and for how long (usually an hour, sometimes longer, lately shorter). He usually naps the longest (2 to 2 1/2 hours) around 3 or 4, but lately at 5, which pushes bedtime later. I want him in bed at 7:30, but with all our struggles it's been between 9:30 and 10:30.

Question #4: How can I get a consistent schedule with the above problems?

I know I'm asking a lot, so I really appreciate your help!

Trip to Wisconsin

Wow, I hate when I'm behind in blogging, especially when I have important stuff to write about. Here goes my attempt to catch up:

In mid-October we went to Wisconsin for Justin's brother's (Adam's) wedding. We had debated whether or not to go because of finances and Caden, who was less than two months old at the time. Although we are now paying for it financially, I do not regret going.

Caden traveled really well. He fell asleep on all the flights and was quiet for the brief time he was awake. He also slept almost the whole car trips to Nauvoo and back, only waking up for feedings. I had to pump in the car a few times (the rental had an outlet!) and even fed him a couple times while driving. Bad mom, I know.

The night before the wedding our family and the bride's family had dinner in Nauvoo. Justin and I met our new sister-in-law, Kirsten, for the first time. She loved Caden! The next morning we witnessed the wedding in the Nauvoo Temple, performed by the bride's grandpa. We left right away for home afterward because Justin's sister Jessica was sick.

Friday, Justin and I went on a date. I gave in to Justin's request to see the Packers Hall of Fame and admit I had a good time. We got sushi afterward.

The reception was Saturday at the golf course Adam works at. The same band played that played at our WI reception, but the singer was different, and more fun, I think. Of course, I danced as much as I could, which wasn't a lot considering most of the music was polka or really hick stuff. Caden was passed around and surprisingly fell asleep through the booming music and noise.

Sunday was my first time back at church, but we only made it to sacrament meeting. Later that day, Justin's Aunty Linn threw me my third baby shower. Great turnout and lots of gifts. Man, Caden is loved! Monday the whole family went out to dinner at the family favorite, Koreana, and Tuesday we went home. We had a great time and was glad the whole family got to meet Caden.

Funny story: Justin was telling his Aunt Erin how stinky Caden is. She said breastfed babies usually don't stink badly and smell on the sweeter side and asked to smell his diaper. Justin put Caden's bum near her face, and right on cue, Caden farted! I didn't get to see it happen, but I can imagine how innocent Caden's face must have looked.