Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Rocking Avery to Sleep

The plan was to have Avery completely off her bottle, not taking a paci and sleeping through the night in her crib when she turned one year old. Plans change. At her well visit Dr. K cautioned against 'shocking her system' with multiple changes at once. He said to take it slow. So we did (although I don't think he meant to take it another 6 months slow!) Often, I feel stressed and 'behind the game' because I want to find a perfect balance between her getting what comforts her (pacis, bottles, sleeping in our bed) and giving her what she needs (just the opposite). But at this point, I feel like I have got to make some major changes soon. I wanted to start reading to her at night and laying her down drowsy vs. rocking her to sleep with a bottle this week. It hasn't been going well. And tonight, while rocking her to sleep and singing one of her favorite songs - "You Are My Sunshine" I realized these are some of the most precious moments of my whole life. When she looks up at me and smiles while I'm singing to her, right before she drifts off to sleep, my heart just melts. And so, I realize, I continue to do our routine because it makes me just as happy as it makes her. And I don't want to miss these moments. I guess in the process, I'm holding her back from growing up and going to bed 'like big girls do'. Oh, what's a mother to do?

11 comments:

Laura said...

Enjoy rocking that sweet Baby! Don't rush her growing up! You'll never get these opportunities back.

Anonymous said...

Babies are only little for a short while, even though sometimes when you are in the moment, it seems like forever. ENJOY your baby!
Lisa aka MOB

Amanda said...

Enjoy your sweet baby! Josh and I absolutely love feeding and rocking Eli to sleep. It's the best thing in the world :)

Penny said...

Hold her back! LOL Enjoy her being little. All too soon she'll be rocking her little one to sleep. =)

Mallory said...

she's an only child and a princess, she's allowed to be spoiled! you will never get this time back so enjoy it and spoil her rotten =)

i was just telling daniel the other day "when we have a baby, if they want to sleep with us they can" while he adamantly disagreed with me =) but after watching him with my nephews and nieces i'm PRETTY sure he will be the more passive parent than me, lol.

DC said...

I still sing & rock Addy during our storytime (You Are My Sunshine is one of my favs to sing too). It is a very special time & I will never ever give it up. Don't stress over the little things. The bottle, paci, co-sleeping - nothing is hindering her development, so if it makes you BOTH happy keep it up :)

labride said...

Your not holding her back. Maybe its just the psych student in me but the "norm" is not everyone's norm, some kids quit things on their own when they are ready, some have to be taken off. And heck if she goes to high school with a paci, then that is just what floats her boat. Just have fun while she is little!

The Four Week Vegan said...

She is 18 months old, right? Let her be a baby as long as she wants. Honestly, everyone is happy - enjoy without any guilt.

Stormie's Mommy said...

I still rock Stormie at TWO and she is doing just fine ha ha. She also sleeps with us ( has her entire life since day 1) And I was feeling like you were then I thought I best cherish these moments cause its going to be over way to soon!
So do not rush it and enjoy every single second of it all!

labride said...

Hey I'm gonna be in Vidalia this weekend,but Jeremy will be at church. If you can't find him there just call him 318-537-3174.{i realize its crazy to put his # up but stalkers will get him not me haha}

M J said...

I actually REMEMBER my mom rocking me and singing, so I'm certain I was older than 18 months when she gave that up. As far as pacis go, we waited until 2 for Tatiana, so I don't really think you're holding her back there, either.