I am currently reading some Joshua Harris books on courtship, VERY good.And I'm in Psalms again, its amazing how it always is just what I need in every situation I find myself in. At bedtime the boys and I in Leviticus.
Our Curriculum:
Horizons Math Grade 3, Apologia Science (Swimming Creatures), Sequential Spelling, Lifepac Language Arts (getting ready to start Grade 4) and we'll start a new History unit on Egypt when we finish science.
A friend from church lent me a book recently after hearing about all the issues we've had with Abigail. When I first spoke with her on the phone and she suggested it sounded like a sleep issue I was skeptical. It HAD to be more than that, but I figured I'd give the book a try anyhow. Last night I read for hours (as Abigail slept peacefully!)! and today I've snuck in tons of time reading it too. It makes so much sense and it described Abigail PERFECTLY!!
Peter was an amazing sleeper, he'd fall asleep anywhere when he was tired. When we bought a toddler bed at 9 months he would walk over, crawl in and take naps on his own. Seriously he was the EASIER baby. Andrew was harder, I had to put him to sleep before he got too tired but as long as he was at home in our bed he was fine.But even now he still needs occasional naps and I know he could sleep better (And I'm looking forward to the chapter on his age in the book!).
The book talks about letting babies go no more than 2 hours awake before putting them to sleep or else they get overtired and can not fall asleep easily. Just since applying this yesterday I'm seeing a difference! It talks about how important consistency in soothing (and offers many techniques for you to choose from) and gives you options based on your parenting styles. If you want to nurse to sleep, or use a bottle, or cry it out, or attachment parenting he shows you how to apply the techniques through your parenting style.
What really stuck out to me was the importance of motionless sleep. He says "vibrations and motion during sleep appear to force the brain to a lighter sleep state and reduce the restorative power of the nap". I had been letting Abigail do almost all of her daytime sleep in the Moby, but since reading this I started laying her down once she fell asleep (before I was afraid she'd wake up so I left her, but I am still letting the Moby soothe her to sleep) and she is sleeping much longer and hasn't really cried at all today! When she wakes she has a diaper change, eats plays a bit eats and goes back down. There is no frustration on her part so no need to fuss and cry!
I cant wait to read more!
The book is called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth.
Thank you so much Lisa! (and Kristina, I'll make sure it gets to you next!)
