Adventures in parenting

We have been parents for just under six months and we have learned many life lessons.  It is a true adventure and I can’t imagine life without Oscar.  This past weekend, I learned that just when you think you love your baby with everything that you are, he will do something that surprises you and your bond and love will deepen.  Some milestones are tiny, others are monumental, but all stir my soul, give me pause and open my heart to love even more.

This past weekend, Oscar began sleeping in his crib for the full night.  We took a leap of faith and tried some sleep training, to our delight he has been sleeping in his crib since Friday and managing to stay in there for elevan to twelve hours, only waking two or three times.  Evan and I had a big hand in getting our little guy to do this and it was very emotional.  We made a commitment to be strong, stay by his side and let him cry for a bit, never longer than 28 minutes.  Emotionally, it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, to all your mommies out there, you know the sort of physical reaction your body goes through when your baby is crying.  We had to commit to this, Oscar was waking up every hour and none of us were sleeping.  We were worried about Oscar’s lack of sleep having a negative affect on his development and we were definitely worried about our health.  With five nights under our belt and a much more alert and happy baby, I know we made the right decision.  I am so proud of the little bug.

Oscar is also finding all sorts of other things out about himself.  This weekend he found his tongue and just loves to show it off.  I can’t explain exactly how this makes me feel, but when you stick out your tongue and your baby sticks his tongue out back at you, I guess the old adage, “imitation is the highest form of flattery” rings true.  (check out the video below)  His tongue discovery is one of the many little things that Oscar has added to his development and it is just absolutely exciting.

We are absolutely smitten over this little guy and the adventure of parenting continues.  Stay tuned....