Thursday, April 9, 2009

Mommy instincts = good

I know I have been MIA lately. I even had a "I need a break from blogging" post all ready to post yesterday morning. It was getting really bad. We were walking zombies around here. I was so discouraged and just down. And so flippin' tired I could cry. I was beginning to wonder if we would make it. I was starting to doubt myself.

But then, Tuesday night, something happened. They SLEPT! For more than an hour at a time. In fact, Gary and I only got up 2 times each, compared to 5+ times we are usually up and that is just between 12:00 - 7:00. That doesn't even count the 4 times we have to go up to get Olivia before we even go to bed. But I digress...

Last night they slept from 8:00 until 2:30 (!!) Can you hear the heavens sing?? I sure can. Then only got up around 5:30. So we really are down to 2 times a night.

What happened you ask? Well, I'll tell you. I took Zachary to the doctor last week for a sore throat. She asked how the sleeping was coming along. Remember, she was one of the ones who said to let them cry. I told her flat out I felt very strongly about them not crying it out. So she gave me some different tips. BTW - Where were these tips the last time I was there? Why is it she only shared them after I put my foot down. Whatever...

She suggested giving them cereal before bed (in addition to their three meals) since they were actually finishing bottles throughout the night. She also suggested closing the door to their room so that it is very dark (we leave a small night light on). So we started. We didn't see a change at first. Then on Tuesday night they ate 2 bowls full of cereal mixed with fruit and yogurt. After the first bowl was empty we debated getting more but they obviously were eating it, so we tried it. Imagine our surprise when they finished another whole bowl of it.

So they were hungry. And here is where I am thankful I listened to my mommy instincts. Since they were not getting good rest, they were so exhausted they would drink just enough to stop the hunger and fall back asleep, only to be woken up with it an hour later. Poor babies...

I am so thankful for this corner turn. It is amazing how refreshed I feel after just 2 nights of sleeping more than an hour at a time.

I will upload some pictures from my camera today and hopefully work on an update. They are SO much fun now. I have some really great pics of them I can't wait to share.

Thank you for all your encouragement. I love you guys and I am so thankful you read me.

9 comments:

Mom, Mommy, Mama said...

You have to stick with your feelings as a mom no one knows your babies better than you! I am so excited they are sleeping now, maybe we can help each other cross somethings off our to do lists. Now that your back in the world of the living :)

monica said...

Yay for sleep and eating cereal! I am happy for you to get over this hump. Glad to have you back..you were missed!

Cat said...

Hooray for sleep! I know that extra few hours makes all the difference-

Heather said...

YAY! I am so happy for you! Way to go for finding the answer that works for you and for following your gut! Enjoy your rest!

NikkiPM said...

They were hungry! I was born 5 wks early....still weighed almost
8lbs. Mom brought me home....and I would just cry and cry....her grandmother (who was precious and had raised 10 children), took one look at my 1 week old self and proclaimed the problem was....HUNGER! I would nurse and nurse and still cry. So, hesitantly, mom added cereal to my bottles, and, voila! I was just as happy as a pig in poop!
LOL! Thought you might this little anecdote.....sometimes it's just the simple things that solve the problem.

SouthernDogwoods said...

Mommy instincts are always correct! Way to go! Glad they are sleeping!!!

Narelle said...

I can't bear to let the baby cry and not feeding them...so bear with it and tomorrow will be a bright ,new day for all of us...

Souza Sisters said...

So happy to hear all of this!! Doens't it make such a difference when you get sleep? YEAH girls!!

nbjenni said...

Holy crap, I didn't realize they were keeping you up that much during the night! I'm so thankful for you that they started to sleep.