Zac's sleep issues - update

I am exhausted... I have not had a decent night's sleep for almost 10 months - the same amount of time that our little Zac arrived in this world.  I most certainly haven't been blessed with a naturally great sleeping baby and have realised that unfortunately something needs to be done in order to get a good night's rest for both my precious Zac and myself.

I consulted with Lynn Woods and have implemented all her suggestions.  I changed his diet, increased his protein portions, changed his sleep schedule and all to no avail.  No change whatsoever.  Much to my disappointment, I think the only way forward is to do sleep training but I can't help feeling cruel with him being so very tiny.  I can't explain why mommy is leaving him to cry nor can I negotiate with him. It is going to be hard, but I've reached the point where I can't continue without sleep for much longer.

Unfortunately our little man is sick at the moment - we are off to the doctor this morning to find out why he is fighting such high temperatures.  Once he is better and if his sleep remains atrocious, we will have to venture into the world of sleep training.  Fingers crossed, holding thumbs, and wishing and willing with all my might that perhaps a miracle will take place before I have to do it!

School days 2, 3 and 4

After such a wonderful first day at school, I was weary of what awaited for day number two now that Lily knew the drill that I would be leaving her there and collecting her later.  Luckily for me, she was a superstar, asking to be taken to school from almost the moment she woke up!  She happily waved goodbye as I left and spent the whole day at school without a care in the world.  Apparently she did ask where I was a couple of times, but other than that, she did exceptionally well.

THEN came day number three, or as it is commonly known, the "Third Day Syndrome".  Lily started to get clingy and teary when I started with my farewells.  Eventually she was clinging to me like a baby monkey and the teacher had to pry her off me so I could leave.  It is heartwrenching walking out that door when your little precious baby is begging and pleading for you to stay.  The screams and "mommy" calls just pull at your heartstrings and it takes all your might to actually carry on walking away.

Thankfully, the principle of the school sent me a text message literally 2 minutes later to say that Lily was over it and was back to her usual self.  Phew, relief... Then came day number 4, today, and the same thing happened.  My little angel was reluctant for me to leave and again had to be taken away by the teacher while tears streamed down her little cheeks.  Enough to make me want to run back to her and give her a comforting love and cuddles.  But as I was driving out, another mom who was still in the classroom when I left stopped me to tell me that after less than a minute, she was absolutely fine again.  She had her bunny and her dummy and was content.  The school then phoned me an hour later to also let me know that all is one hundred percent fine.  So no more worries for me!

I hope the morning tears soon fade away as I know Lily is really enjoying her first few days at school.  I'm so exceptionally proud of her - she manages the entire day without any tears and seems to be flourishing and joining in with all the activities.  My precious little angel... getting so big...

The big day

So the big day has finally arrived - the first day of school for our little Lily angel pie.  We had prepared her during the course of the week so she understood that we were going to her new school this morning.  We got dressed quite early and she immediately made her way to the garage door and said "Let's go to school!".  I had to tell her that it was in fact too early and we would be going in a little while.  She was most certainly eager!

When we arrived at school and I took her out of the car, this little voice said, "Thank you for brining Lily to my new school mommy!"  It was too precious and so heartwarming.  It was almost too much for this slightly emotional mom already.  She then made me giggle by asking me for money in her purse for school!  What she thought she was going to buy I have no idea!

We went into her new classroom quite comfortably due to the orientation last week and she immediately went to the kitchen area to play with the breads, stove and kitchen utensils.  She didn't show any interest in the other children and neither did they show any interest in her.  They all just seemed interested in the toys and keeping themselves occupied.

After 20 minutes with her, she asked to do some painting and her teacher told her they would paint when mommy had left.  So I took that as my cue to leave.  I said, "Lily, mommy is going to go now, I will be back a little later to fetch you."  Lily then said, "Bye bye mommy, can I have a kiss?" Bless, so I gave her a big hug and a kiss and made my way to the classroom door.  As I was about to leave I heard a happy shout from across the room "Bye bye mommy!", just to let me know that she was happy and not phased about my leaving. 

Boy was I surprised by the turn of events!  Who would have guessed that my little Lily, who can be very "ma vas" at times, was so confident and content to be left at school!  I am so extremely proud of my little angel.

From that moment on, I clock watched, willing the time to draw closer to 12:00 when I'd fetch my baby.  In the mean time the school sent me 2 messages - one merely stating a very reassuring "Doing great" and then another message along with a photograph saying that she had settled in perfectly and was doing great.  Another confirmation to ease this mom's worries.

I made sure I was at the school at 11:50 and waited outside her classroom.  When the door opened and she saw my face, she came running out to me with a huge smile.  So happy to see me, yet quite happy about the morning she had spent at school.  When we left she said a confident "Bye Morah Stacey" to her teacher and off we went to the car.  On the way I asked her about her day - what games she played, what she ate, who she played with and she gladly answered my inquisitive questions.  I then said that we would be going back tomorrow and she said, "No mommy, I don't want to go back tomorrow. I'm finished school."...  Thankfully I have asked her since, as have Ritah and her dad and she has happily agreed that she is going back to school tomorrow.  I am aware of the fact that day 2 and 3 can be worse as they're now aware of what's in store for them, so I'm holding thumbs that she is still as happy and amazing as she was today.

I am one very proud mommy! xxx

Ready for my first day at school

The day is drawing near...

My precious little baby's first day of school is drawing near...  Every time I think about taking her to her classroom and leaving her behind, my heart literally wants to explode and my eyes well up with tears.  I am so not looking forward to Monday (5 more sleeps).  If she cries when I say goodbye it is going to kill me.  My poor baby is quite a shy little pumpkin who takes a while to warm to situations and crowds, how is she going to cope without me there - I'm always with her and now it is time to let go...  I think this is possibly going to be a harder transition for me than it will be for her.

I came across this little prayer and thought it so apt:

Today we had orientation at the school and Lily had a wonderful time.  She seemed to warm towards her new teacher, Morah Stacey, and loved playing with the new toys and all the puzzles on the maths table.  At the end when we went to say goodbye she happily gave Stacey a hug and kiss goodbye which was lovely to see.  I can only wish that Monday goes as well as orientation did today.  Fingers crossed!

Sleep issues

As I type this I am blinking my sandpaper eyelids in a futile attempt to try to stay awake.  I'm battling... Zac had yet another bad night, waking hourly.  He battled right from the get go when I put him down at 7:15pm.  He seems to battle to get comfortable and will sleep for a few minutes before letting out a hearty cry and then it's my cue to head upstairs again, rock him back to sleep and place him back in his cot where I pray he will drift off into Slumber Land and awake at a humane hour.  Unfortunately that was not to be...

So from that moment on, Zac woke up almost every single hour until he started our day at 5:30am.  I am shattered.  At lunch time today he also fought sleep and even though he appeared to be in a deep sleep, as soon as I put him down in his cot, he woke up.  Eventually I managed to get him down and, touch wood, he is still sleeping.  I don't want to "drug" my child too often, but I think tonight calls for some Aterax in order for the both of us to actually catch up on some sleep.  I don't think I could face another night like I had last night any time soon.

In the mean time I have emailed Lynn Woods, the Baby Routine Specialist who helped with Lily's sleep training when she was 15 months old.  I am waiting to hear back from her as to whether I can implement the same training techniques I used for Lily or whether I need to have a consultation with her due to Zac's younger age.  I'm definitely considering taking drastic steps if this continues, but it just breaks my heart that he is so young - don't think I can leave him to cry...

So here's to hoping, crossing fingers, praying and begging that tonight is a better night!

Some updated pics

Here are some of the latest pictures I've taken of my two precious babies. Love, love, love them to absolute bits!