So.
Let's talk schedules.
I find this to be as debatable as breast versus bottle feeding.
I have several friends who swear by a strict schedule. I know when they're kids naptimes are and when they go to bed at night. I know that these friends/family members will not make plans at naptime and who basically schedule their outings lives around their child's schedule.
On the other hand, I know of some who tisk tisk at structured schedule.
"My child will work around my own busy schedule" one mom tells me. "A schedule just doesn't work for us."
Noted I thought to myself.
Putting Tyler on a schedule was something I thought about throughout my pregnancy.
I had decided to meet some where in the middle with the sheduling.
Both Jeff and I work jobs that have a basic schedule. We're not the most spontaneous couple.
You can bet that I'll be at Target Saturday mornings and Jeff at home watching football on Sundays.
I decided to try the scheduling thing when Tyler was a few weeks old. I watched the clock constantly.
"it hasn't been 2 1/2 hours...why is hungry again?"
"he's over due for a nap...why isn't he tired?"
"why does he sleep more in the day than at night?!"
Watching the clock was not working for us at all.
I pretty much gave in to his demands. I felt so much guilt for not doing so. Seriously, he was only born 3 weeks ago!
But gradually, without even noticing until the third day of his 4th week he began to fall into a routine.
He finally figured out..."hey, it's dark. tv's off. dad's snoring. guess it's time for me to sleep."
I had praised the sleeping baby gods.
I can't even tell you what 3 consecutive hours of sleep feels like.
He wakes, he gets changed, he eats, he's out.
This my friends is a great accomplishment.
I feel like a true parent.
Sounds silly but there were times at 3 am after being awake since midnight that I was doing something wrong. That I was failing miserably as a new mom.
Silly me.
This brings me to my first resolution.
STOP BEING SO HARD ON MYSELF AND OTHERS.
I can't compare myself to other moms. When i gave up the stress of what I'm suppose to do and started listening to my own babes needs, things all fell into place.
Next week I will write about my new mom aroma which consists of spit up & urine.Lovely, no?
xot