While Simon has had a few long overnight sleeps, he still needs at least one overnight feeding. He shows promise of getting there though. In the last week, we stopped trying to get him to slam-dunk out cold before putting him down, and settle for good enough drowsy. That's mostly working well, though there are times where we have to go in to replace his dropped pacifier. We're also letting him cry a little when he does wake up, at the suggestion of Dr. Cargopants. (It's actually Dr. Traci, but by now you know we like to give our doctors nicknames. She just happens to be a snappy casual dresser and can rock the cargo pants.)
Diana has been reading a lot about baby sleep, which of course is dangerous because it's too easy to think that something ain't right when these books make generalizations. But a lot of that concern also grows out of wanting Simon to settle into the long overnight sleep routine because she just gets so exhausted being with him all day with overnight stops. Talking with Mike after the podcast tonight, he said his girls both hit the long pattern at about three months, so we've got a few more weeks. And who knows, given his general over-achievement in development, maybe he'll even get there sooner.
I had my share of issues with him on Saturday, because I'm having a hard time reading him. I had no problem with him Friday night when Diana went to knitting, but all I did was get frustrated on Saturday. His cues are evolving so fast, and since my weekday time with him is basically for about four or five hours after work, a relatively predictable time, I get a little lost about what he's trying to tell me during the day. I can relate to Diana's feelings from a few weeks ago about thinking you're not an adequate parent. It's a shitty feeling.
But at the end of the day, having Simon around is really remarkable. Looking at a little human with a blank slate does wonders to rekindle your own sense of wonder and possibility. He makes me feel less limited, if that makes any sense. And contrary to what a lot of couples go through with a child, Simon makes me feel closer to Diana because we made him together. (Well, mostly her, but it's clear he got half of my genetic code.) I'm thankful that we're so functional together. It makes for a solid first Mother's Day as a mother.
No comments yet.