We’ve hit a road block hiccup (fingers crossed?) in the sleeping schedule and I’m too tired to post much.
My little man rung in his 4th month with some crankiness and of course it aligns with me going back to work so I have huge amounts of mommy guilt going on…in addition to the normal desperation of trying to figure out what’s wronggggggg? Isn’t it funny how parents ask their infants that knowing full well a response is out of the question.
Anyway. He’s still an exceptionally happy baby so I’m sure it’s just a phase that we have to get through. Rather than overanalyze the situation, I’m just going to listen to his cues as best I can and go with it (disregarding all the contradictory books/blogs/advice columns and just doing what I feel is best for him/me/us). For every kid who goes through the “4 month sleep regression” there’s another kid who doesn’t follow the typical anything. And P has been that atypical baby so far (sleeping through the night, loving tummy time, etc.) so I’m hesitant to dig into possible causes for something that could turn out to be nothing.
I was thinking of (maybe?) writing about going back to work, but I’m not in the mood. It’s hard. It’s complicated. Luckily I have a good partner and I’m optimistic that our team approach will eventually turn into a well oiled machine.
As an aside, can I just say pumping is a total pain (i.t.a.). Ugh.
And since I’m doing some complaining already, I may as well continue to whine about how hard it is to make meals from scratch now. I started prepping dinner at 1 pm yesterday; and not only did take all day, but I burned the noodles that I was stir-frying. And it wasn’t even ready in time for dinner. Instead, I called in a take-out sushi order and we had the stir-fry meal for dinner tonight.
With these for dessert :)
Since I’m lagging in the recipe department, how about a few interesting articles:
Portraits of grandmas and their cuisine from around the world
10 reasons to make time for family meal time
Go here for info on winning a gift card to Veggie Grill
How to use your slow cooker in the summer
Happy weekend! Happy (early) Father’s Day!!
Sorry to hear P’s not sleeping well (side note: I know his real name, but for some reason, I always think P stands for Peter. I have no idea why since it obviously doesn’t!).
I want some of those Grandmas to cook for me!
As you say it could well be nothing, but my baby boy went through the same thing at P’s age. He is also generally a very happy baby and a good sleeper, so we couldn’t figure out wth was up. Pretty soon thereafter though, his bottom two teeth appeared. Mystery solved. As you know you go through ups and downs, so remember that this too shall pass. Hang in there Elise.
Awww….such a cutie. Yeah, 4 months sucks. But it’s all because they’re working on all kinds of cool developmental stuff. Check out The Wonder Weeks. It explains each of the fussy, sleepless phases and what’s going on developmentally with your little one. So sorry it’s all timed with your return to work. Are you working full time, part time? Feel free to me with any pumping questions or how to deal with breastfeeding and going back to work.
Sorry sleeping has been difficult lately. It’s just frustrating because they can’t tell you what’s bothering them. Pumping is not fun but do get a hands free bra. I thought I wouldn’t need it at first and it made the process a bit faster and easier.
Isn’t motherhood a rollercoaster? Just remember, “This too shall pass”. I know, easier said than done, but it will! I’m sure it’s just the 4 month sleep regression due to a little growth spurt. In a matter of time, it’ll all be a distant memory! xo
Aww that is a great picture. What an incredibly handsome little guy with such big blue eyes! Hopefully he lets you get some more sleep soon, and good luck with the new job! 🙂
Your baby is seriously the cutest. I’m sorry about the lack of sleep. Hopefully it passes soon. I look forward to when you feel up to writing about going back to work.
haha. its funny writing P on the blog because we never call him that. but yeah…heaven forbid he eventually wants to run for president some day and has his infancy detailed on HHH…
Thanks for the bump!!!
Yeah, babies (and moms!) go through ebbs & waves of distress and happiness. I see it like paddling out on a surfboard: point the nose of your board directly into the oncoming wave facing it head on, go over (get a little water in your face), and find that the water on the other side is smooth & calm.
When my son was a baby, I just tried to ride it out without judgement on me or him. Could be a growth spurt. Could be a change in barometric pressure. Who knows!! These creatures are enigmas!!
Yep, babies are weird. They change just when you think you’ve got stuff figured out. My kid is three and she’s still throwing us for a loop every chance she gets. And working motherhood is hard too. I think in the long run it’s a great thing for both mom and child (you keep your sense of self and purpose on the career front; the child learns that mom is a contributing member of society and that women’s work is just as valuable as men’s work). NOT knocking stay at home moms – in many ways that is so great for kids – but just noting that it will be hard but you will find it a valuable part of life. I still struggle with mom guilt, but I remind myself that my girl is learning that she too can grow up to be both mom and career-gal, and that is a really important lesson for me.
Definitely 4 month sleep regression. My kiddo did that early and never got out of it! And yep, pumping does suck! I remember my first week back, it stressed me out so much that my production was quite low with each pump session, so try to relax as best as you can and by the second week my output was at a champion level (well so to speak, I was never a big over-producer)
Oy. The four month sleepless HELL. I remember it well. It’s totally developmental which I know you’ve heard/read but just keep telling yourself that it’s nothing you did and he’s not in pain. 🙁 We struggled through it for a few weeks and then, TA-DA! Back to normal. Just keep your schedule/routine the same as you can & ride it out mama! These babes sure like to keep us on our toes, eh?
This too shall pass. I recommend making your very quickest/easiest dinners in the meantime. I know Jamie Oliver does 15 minute meals but sometimes that’s too long! And you need 5 or 10 minute meals.
The coconut balls look awesome 🙂
i do! and i need to start hitting up trader joes bc they have a lot of semi-home-made almost ready to go ingredients that would really help things go quickly.
oh lord. a few weeks! i was hoping youd say a few days. 🙁
indeed indeed. heres hoping!
I have found that my personal and professional life seem to crescendo at the same time….. And it sucks. Do not beat yourself up because for dinner you made something that took five minutes vs five hours. Trader joe’s roasted veggies and quinoa ( sold frozen) ontop of bagged salad mix takes no time, is cheap, and 100xs more nutritious than any other fast food. ( their stuffed grape leaves, masala veg burgers, meatless balls, bagged greens and soycuttash are favorites)
I am positive that you will soon find balance in your new routine with work- in the meantime enjoy father’s day with your baby daddy!
Oh yes – it’s swings and roundabouts with these babes, isn’t it? Just when you think you’ve got an awesome system going on, they change/grow and you are back to square 1. Argh I feel your frustration. I always say to myself – “this stage shall pass.” And it will – onwards & upwards (and hooray for sushi!) Hugs x
that would just show he has the best lil mama (;
My three-year-old and I got up early to make her daddy pancakes from one of your recipes (the oat/almond ones). They were amazing. Much lighter and fluffier than the all-almond flour ones I’ve made before. Of course, my girl put mini m&ms in hers, but other than that they were delightfully delicious and low-FODMAPs. Thanks for the recipe, and happy 1st father’s day to Kyle!
Ugh, I really hope his 4-month regression is short lived. I really think the regressions are harder for parents of good sleepers, because they’re not used to it! Sometimes we read about when G is supposed to be having a regression and we realize it’s hard to tell a regression from his regular sleep 😉
Good thing they’re so cute, right?!
i think youre right. im like completely stumped as to what to do. i have no clue how i would have handled this in the brand new mom phase. at least i know hes not in danger…but in those early days i would have been freaking out.
awwww. super cute. im glad they were a hit!