Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sweet Dreams for the New Year (hopefully)

Although I spent most of 2010 pregnant, it was a great year. Pregnancy wasn't that bad, and the labor and delivery was actually an enjoyable and quit spiritual experience for both Dan and I. I was so nervous about the pain, but it went perfectly, and I will be excited for that part again one day. My mom stayed with us for the first 3 weeks after Max was born . Having her help kind of prolonged the reality of taking care of a newborn. After she left that reality hit hard and fast. Our baby has been the best thing that has ever happened to me, but it hasn't come without a few challenges.

At first I felt like everyday was Christmas, and we were running off of adrenaline. Then after about a month, that wore off and I realized how sleep deprived we both were. Our baby does not sleep very well at night. We get up at least 3 to 5 times with him. I knew this would be the case before I had a baby, I just didn't know how difficult it would be. In my desperate attempt to get some sleep, I have read many books, and tried several different methods to help Max to sleep better, but with no real success. In one of the books I read, I came across this quote that has really changed my perspective about the whole situation.

It says, "....And when you don't put him down, hold him with your heart, too, and relish every gurgle, flutter, and little sighing breath. Trust me when I say, you will miss this. You will. Even the dark, exhausted nights will take on a certain romance in your memories, and they'll bubble to the surface when your "baby" drives off in his first car, graduates from school, gets married, has his own baby." So the best advice I have gotten is to just accept this stage of life.

Seriously, asking me to give up my sleep is one of the hardest things I could be asked to do. I LOVE my sleep. But when I see that cute little baby boy, I would give up a thousand nights of good rest for him. I just need to learn patience in this trial, and to enjoy each late night snuggle with my baby, because soon he will grow up and not want to snuggle with me any more.

Our family


What's a post without a picture of the cutest baby in the world?


And one more, cause there can never be too many pictures of Max

9 comments:

amylynne said...

I must be sleep deprived, too because that quote totally made me tear up. Before getting pregnant with Spencer, I did start feeling that way about Landon--I looked back on our nights together with fond memory--because he is growing up way too fast! :)

Camie said...

That is such a great quote. Being sleep-deprived was so hard on me, but it is so true that they grow up faster than you can imagine! Daxton has always been a struggling sleeper, so I can empathize!

camilla hallows said...

I hear ya Linds! It goes by so fast you just have to cherish every second. A sweet Aunt of mine and my Grammy (each had 7 children) commented that with the last child they didn't mind waking up to hold their baby in the middle of the night anymore. They even looked forward to it. So good of you to realize how precious that time is with your first! You'd never even know you were sleep deprived! You're absolutely GORGEOUS!

Lyndsey Swindlehurst said...

He is so darling! I want to meet him. You are so wonderful to realize this...I wish I would've spent more time snuggling Zander. I miss that little small bundle. I swear I blinked and now he is 2, it is pretty crazy! Enjoy your sweet little one and hopefully he will let you sleep at night and cuddle during the day!

Tara said...

You know, my first baby Gavin never slept. He was always awake. He still has a hard time sleeping. I could never figure out why. My second baby Emma is the best sleeper on earth. She started sleeping through the night at one month old and nothings changed since. A couple of things I did different with the two of them. 1. I read Healthy Sleep Habbits, Happy Child. I took some advise from that book. 2. I wrapped Emma. When she was wrapped up tight she slept, when she wasn't she didn't. I bought one of those little snuggy sleepers and she loved it. I guess maybe having her hands and arms out of her face helped her to sleep. That has worked for so many people that I have talked to. But, looking back, I am happy that Emma was a good sleeper. But I always enjoyed being with Gavin at night. It was a great time to bond and I wouldn't change the time that I had with him!!

Kristin said...

Linds great post! The quote is perfect, just like your sweet baby! Your so beautiful! love and miss you!
xoxo

Scott & Christie Lamb said...

ah linds that is a really good quote! These past few days I have been forcing myself to go back to sleep when I wake up in the morning because I know I don't have many more blissful nights left haha. I hope you find something that helps little max sleep better good luck but enjoy it! love ya! I'm one step behind ya so thanks for paving the way!

Jill said...

He is so stinkin cute i cant get over it. Im with you on the sleep deprivation i will have to remember that quote when i get frustrated at night. Good luck i know i will need it to when it comes to the long nights :)

Linda said...

What a sweet post, you wise young mother, you. I'm so proud of you.
Bob Sorenson said he used to dream of sleeping when he was at the hospital with Danny. Literally, when he got a little bit of sleep, he DREAMED about sleeping. Not a funny situation, funny reaction, though.
How is it POSSIBLE for Max to get cuter?!?! These photos are just darling. He's changed again. Come see me!
Love, Mom