We've created the monster, now we have to fix it.....

The Root of All Evil!


Night 1:

Okay, so we have done a great job of creating a routine for Jenna. UNFORTUNATELY-it is not the right one. Each night she has a bath, then around 7:30 Daddy gives her a bottle and holds her until she goes to sleep. BAD habit, so when she was 4 months old we put her in her bed, in her room and we or should I say I, tried not giving her a bottle at night. But,Daddy figured out really quickly that a bottle meant she went right back to sleep. So that is how we got here; 11 months old and getting up to have a bottle AT LEAST once a night. One night last week we went upstairs 8 times during the night! YES, 8! So, I was fed up......it was time. I didn't think I could let her cry herself to sleep but that was the only advice I kept coming back to, self comforting.

That brings us to night one:

7:15-Daddy gives her a bottle and holds her for 20 minutes while she sleeps and then takes her up to bed (Mom watches, knowing this has to stop).

7:45-Daddy is back upstairs, Jenna is crying. Daddy rocks, back to sleep by 8:00.

8:10-Mommy is taking a bath, Daddy is back up stairs, rocking Jenna again.

8:25-Mommy has had enough. Goes upstairs, puts Jenna in her crib to "self-comfort." Mommy and Daddy "discuss" how this is BULLSH*T and that Mommy is watching to much Super Nanny, Dr. Phil, Oprah, Etc. Jenna fusses. Mommy pats her back, so far this is going okay.

8:30-still not asleep, Jenna thinks it is time to play. Daddy has slipped into nightly coma, thank God, would have never let this go on this long.

9:00-Playtime and fussing continue-Mommy watches "Numbers" and hopes this will work.

9:15-Mommy calls Aunt Manda for support, fussing getting louder. Mommy goes up to sit in her room. Keeps telling herself she CAN NOT pick her up.

9:30-Fussing turns into crying. Mommy tries laying her down in crib with passy and putting hand on back for support. NOPE...

9:45 Jenna finally fusses out, lets Mommy put hand on back and then walk away while she is still awake. Goes to sleep by herself, success.....

9:50 Daddy chokes while snoring and starts coughing loud enough to wake the neighbors. Jenna starts crying again. Mommy places passy in mouth and lets her put herself to sleep.... (Mommy wants to CHOKE Daddy whom she is convinced is trying to sabotage the entire thing....have discussion over not having to help, but not hindering either, Daddy falls back into coma!)

To BE CONTINUED......