It has been a while since I posted about sleep so I thought it was time. Last week when we went down to the beach and Max got to bed before 8:30 pm, I noticed a change in him the next morning. I noticed that he was much happier and rested. His bed time went from 7 pm, when he was little, to 7:30 pm, then 8 pm and then 8:30 pm. I noticed in the past 2 months that he was so tired and cranky when he got up but I had no idea how to get him to bed earlier. I had tried all of the text book methods and I guess he was not ready. But I was ready.

The night we came home from the beach was glorious because I had an entire night to relax and wind down. I actually went to sleep before 11 pm. So since that day, exactly a week ago, Max has gone to sleep before 8 pm. I am doing the same routine but I increased the routine from 45 mins to 1 hour and it seems to be working. He is not fighting the sleep, instead he welcomes it. Thank goodness.

We also bought him a bog boy bed, well actually we turned his crib into a bed with a full mattress and he loves it. Selfishly, I could not even fit on the small mattress any longer and so I think we did not have a choice anymore. Luckily we already had the crib and so we just needed to buy the conversion kit and the mattress. I will have to post pics because it all worked out so nicely. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and found a quilt and matching pillow shams that exactly match his window treatments. YEAH! I love when shit works out my way. LOL

So back to the sleep. I am not sure if it is the huge bed or the many soft pillows or just Max getting older but going down a little early works for him and his Momma.

Last night I went out to dinner with some girls (most of them I did not know but it was fun to have a girls night out) and they were talking about their kids sleeping stuff. They all did the cry it out method and they all have kids that sleep great and they were making comments about kids sleeping in their parents beds etc. I just laughed to myself and thought well I sleep with my kid half the night in his bed-why should I say anything-it is just not worth it because what I have realized is that it all os good-it is whatever works for your family.

My husband is one of those types that hates his own birthday..not because it is an age thing..actually this has occurred since he was very young. My mother in law was just telling me how he would hide under the table and cry as a child when they sang happy birthday. My hubby likes to run 20 miles on his birthday and just hang out and not make a big deal out if it. Although we do exchange cards and a small gift. Despite my hubby hating his birthday, we had a wonderful day. Scott came home from running and we ate lunch while Max was napping. Then he took and nap and Max and I watched a movie, since it was raining.

Then we all hung out and just enjoyed each others company. I made some muffins, Max played and Scott watched a movie. I almost felt like it was fall and football was on because it just felt so relaxing. Sunday football is a real nice and relaxing day in our house.

I am grateful for my hubby. Yesterday we actually had a TALK about him not participating again. I am not sure what happens with him but sometimes he just checks out and needs to be alone. The problem is that does not work when you have a family. We all need alone time but we also need to interact. I felt real clear and precise about what I needed. I think I have said this before but my hubby goes out for work about 4 times a week at night and then probably stays and bullshits for a few hours. I a  convinced that since he works from home, this is his time to interact with people and be social. I explained last night that I never bitch about those nights but in exchange I need him to be present with both Max and I. I need some affection and love. I need to feel like all week he looks forward to the 1 to 2 hours family time we have once a weekend and the hour a day he plays with Max before and after dinner.I/We need to feel his love. I know he loves us but I need to really feel it. I don’t think that is asking too much and neither did he. 

I felt for the first time in our relationship that I was so clear. There was no drama or no games for attention or no cold shoulder-even though I wanted to not talk to him for a week because I was feeling hurt but I did none of that..I just spoke my truth and it felt great. I guess I am lucky that we have a great relationship when I speak up but those times that I don’t-well I am miserable. Thank goodness he listens and we always find a place that feels good for both of us.

What is your relationship like?

PS. Max feel asleep at 7:45 pm which means that I have a night to relax all to myself and watch a good movie and fold some laundry while drinking some tea. AAAHHHHHH the good life.

The hubby had bought this for Max about a year ago. I swear he thought that Max would have enjoyed this truck then but he had no interest. Now all he wants to do is drive his truck. Max loves the car as I have said before. Even when he gets up from his nap, he grabs my bag, and makes the “driving the wheel signal” because he wants to go for a drive. I guess it is his way of waking up. As for me, I am so tired the past few days that I rarely feel like getting in the car to drive. Not to mention that the roads either have construction happening or there is so much damn shore traffic all weekend. 

Anyway I really have nothing special to post. We went to a 2 year old birthday this morning. We had fun and Max played really well with the other boys. He actually gave kisses to a few of them as well. All the moms sat and gabbed and enjoyed some down time. I got stuff in some traffic going there this am and cursed about every car and anything that came to mind. I woke up this morning just feeling crabby and pissed off. Of course I was pissed at the hubby for everything and anything and knew that I am just a hormonal mess-so I did not mention it to him. LOL. It is just one of those days. Well I hope your having a great weekend so far. The weather here is amazing today. Do you ever just wake up crabby?

Today we had an all boys play date at my house. I have been in music class since Max was six months old. For 6 months we were in an all boys music class and I really saw Max grow with these little guys. So we invited them all over today and they are ages 20 to 24 months. WOW! yes they were moving fast but they were all different kids. The oldest is rough and a hitter.  The second to oldest is kind of rough but his Mom does a great job teaching him boundaries. I applaud her for her commitment to consistency with him. She really keeps her cool even when she is mad. I admire that. Then the 3rd to oldest is very verbal and pretty well tamed. The 4th to oldest is quiet but hysterical because he has so much personality. The 5th to oldest is very quiet and nervous and won’t leave his mothers side and then there is Max, the youngest of them all.

Max is just so gentle. Even if he gets hit-he looks at the kid and gets upset. I do not think that Max is not an outgoing kid but he is gentle and he would not hurt a fly-maybe kill and ant-but not a fly. I attribute this to astrology of his birth date, mothering, and his love for his dog Esther, who we worked with him to understand gentle.

But today told the whole story. We were driving to his little best friends house Tyler, (aka wonder woman because she is such a little toughy) and he was watching his favorite movie Nemo. He was watching the part where Nemo and his Dad find each other again and I looked back and he started to cry out of joy. He kept pointing and smiling and crying. I felt my heart shake with love for my little gentle boy. I am so honored to be present for these moments in his life. I realized something that I already knew: my little boy is very special.

I am not sure how it happened but he has returned and in time because this Mom was losing her shit. . Could it be the extra doing of motrin, the rose elixr drops, or maybe the teething is taking a break from abusing my kid..who knows but he is back.

We had a wonderful day. We saw and old childhood friend and her daughter. They live in LA but they were here to visit. I have not seen her since I was 15 and it was so wonderful. She has a little girl named Daniella and Max and little D held hands and played so nicely. I always am amazed how gentle Max is with younger kids. He will be a great big brother.

We then went and got my truck back from the body shop. Max was so happy to watch DVD’S again in the truck. Yes, my kid is spoiled.

We came home and played outside in the garden and weeded. Max is actually really good but sometimes he just starts throwing dirt everywhere but at least he helps half of the time. Then we ate some dinner and I did not have to cook. Scott picked up dinner and so that was great too. Then we played together and laughed as a family. It was a great day. I felt like we were on vacation again.

I needed that after a week of tantrums and no sleep.