things are very hectic at chez gleek these days. just when we think that we’ve figured things out around here, the peanut throws us for a loop and we’re screaming for mercy. we had a blessed two weeks when she was technically sleeping through the night. only one feeding around 3AM and she’d sleep till around 6:30AM after that. it was blissful. then she went through her 3 month growth spurt and we’re back to two feedings a night now and my body is aching with sleep deprivation. i was just getting used to getting 5 hours of sleep in a row. it was really nice! well, those days are a distant memory.
ew!
we’re also finding that getting her to go to sleep is tough as well. i haven’t resorted to feeding her to sleep since she was 5 weeks old but she definitely doesn’t self-soothe herself to sleep yet. we have to rock/sway/bounce her until she passes out which thankfully isn’t a long time but still too long in my opinion.
fun in the mirror
she doesn’t suck her thumb or take a pacifier so i’m at a loss at to what to do for her. we swaddle her in a miracle blanket for every sleep period so she doesn’t have access to her hands. i’m going to try switching to the aussie swaddle method this week and see if that doesn’t help things. it’s all a gamble.
mmmmm
but she’s as cute as can be! each time she smiles at me or gurgles or follows me with her eyes, i know that i’m in love forever.
so smiley
for more photos check the gallery or this flickr set.
ok, enough about the nut. during the all-too-brief naptimes i’m able to get a few things done around here. i’ve managed to put blackout curtains in both the master bedroom and the nut’s room. i bought the fabric on ebay and sewed them up myself rather than pay $50+ for each window which is ridiculous. no photos, sorry. they are very ordinary.
while the sewing machine was out (here’s a good reason why it almost never is these days) i decided to make some headbands from heather bailey’s awesome pattern.
these are super simple and fun and, wow, actually stay on your head! i love them and want to make more but i already put away the sewing machine because the clutter was driving me bonkers.
from the front
from the back
in other sewing news, i want to draft my own skirt pattern and whip up a few skirts that fit my post-baby body. i DID have a few skirts that fit me well until the nut decided to spit-up all over them and now they can’t be worn in public anymore. sigh. oh well. i got the sew what! skirts book and am reading it through now. just need to get some large paper (maybe i’ll just use some of the crappy christmas wrapping paper from last year) and get going.
the miters are coming along too. i now have the pattern memorized so i knit them much faster.
pile o miters
and i started a pair of socks but i don’t have a picture yet because it’s a total of 5 rows. as you can see, the knitting is coming along but not too quickly. just slowly but surely.
now referring to the post title, in the times when i have time to write, code, or blog, i usually don’t have my brain with me. i’m not sure where my brain goes during these times but it’s surely not in my head. this moment here is brought to you by sunday and the hubby taking the peanut for a walk. i was very happy when he volunteered to take her out! but wouldn’t you know it that the instant she disappeared out the door i missed her. of course!
by the way, less than a month and the new harry potter book is out and in my hot little hands! i can’t wait! i’ve been reading the half-blood prince aloud to the peanut whenever i’m feeling a little too silent and i get excited with each passing page. i can’t wait! (oops, already said that. where’s my brain? don’t know.)
ETA: i did some hard thinking about why the peanut wasn’t falling asleep well and realized that maybe she’s just not soothed enough when i put her down. in walks itunes and my trusty ipod with jbl soundstage and i’ve got lullabies going for in no time! what would i do without an internet connection? surely i would perish. she’s been sleeping well since i got the music going. also, she’s started taking a pacifier to sleep! i can’t tell you how happy that makes me!
and for all the nursing mothers out there that have had to give up milk/dairy, almond milk is truly the nectar of the gods. if you’re not allergic to nuts, i highly suggest you try it. i HATE soy milk and rather dislike rice milk because they have such horrid aftertastes, but almond milk is really yummy and creamy. tastes great in my coffee!
Wanett
I am still missing my brain too. But after four babies I fear that it may never return
I hear you on that change of routine. I was so spoiled with sleeping until 7:30 that I tricked myself into thinking this would last forever. Sleep last night=3 hours. Sleep since then= 0. Sigh.
Jun 24, 2007 @ 6:04 PM
Veronique
Well, it certainly looks like you’re getting a lot of crafting done! Love the headbands
And you already know that you have the cutest toothbrush holders.
Kisses to the Peanut! She’s got to learn to sleep for a longer time period eventually, right?
Jun 24, 2007 @ 6:49 PM
Annie
Oh she is just adorable! It is all a gamble, isn’t it? That’s why they smile, makes all the fuss delicious anyway.
Jun 24, 2007 @ 7:21 PM
melissa
she is too cute, and just keeps getting cuter!
i truly hope that you start getting some long stretches of sleep, and soon!
Jun 24, 2007 @ 7:31 PM
Sharon
aww, she’s beautiful! Sorry about the sleep issues – I don’t have a whole lot of advice to offer. Monkey was a pain in the arse when it came to sleep, too. She wasn’t a very good self-soother at all, either. It will get better, though…eventually. She’ll get to where she’s comfortable with not having someone near her, and then you’ll miss those nights of rocking and coo’ing to sleep.
OK, so you won’t miss them THAT much right away, but, eventually, you will.
The headbands are fabulous. I have the pattern and some fabric for them, but I’ve been lazy about getting the sewing machine out. I guess if you have time, then I really don’t have an excuse, huh?
Jun 24, 2007 @ 8:14 PM
Lisa
I love those headbands and they look super cute on you. I’ve never been able to rock the headband, but maybe I should give these a shot. I have a little Amy Butler fabric laying around. Just when you are seriously sick of this whole sleep routine, the Peanut will change her game… stick with it – you’re doing great!!
Jun 24, 2007 @ 8:36 PM
stacee
I think the baby wrapping you linked to will work wonders… I used the same method for my two younger kiddos for several months and it helped more than I can express in mere words. Hang in there! Congrats on the few minutes of alone time today!
Jun 24, 2007 @ 8:38 PM
jody
she’s beautiful. i’m sorry you’re dealing with the sleep issues. hang in there, it *will* get better.
Jun 24, 2007 @ 8:46 PM
kaitlyn
i miss my brain too. i forgot to pack all sorts of essentials this weekend… sleep is coming!
Jun 24, 2007 @ 9:02 PM
Schrodinger
It’s a good job she’s totally adorable, so at least you have something wonderful to look at during the sleep deprevation. I really hope that things improve for you soon.
Thanks for the headband pattern link (which you look fantastic in btw), I wanted to get the machine out and start sewing one right away, must.be.patient
Jun 24, 2007 @ 9:32 PM
Sarah
Your little one is only getting more beautiful! Love the headbands, too – your hair has gotten so long. Must acquire a sewing machine…
Jun 24, 2007 @ 10:08 PM
Karma
I’d love to tell you that peanut is going to go back to sleeping “through the night” again soon, but it seems like every time something settles down, something else changes. My own peanut has been more or less a good sleeper (as far as babies go…), but when she hit 10 months, she was waking up 4-5 times a night for a few agonizing weeks. The pediatrician said that 10 month old babies often have sleep regression, because their cognitive development is so exciting and they can’t wind down. Anyway, she still wakes up once or twice a night and she’s a year old now. Have you read The No Cry Sleep Solution? I thought it had some good ideas.
I really want to make some of those headbands now that you tell me they stay on your head!
Jun 25, 2007 @ 1:34 AM
carrie m
oh steph, i’m sorry that you are so tired. i can’t even imagine. but she looks so sweet, and i imagine she looks even cuddlier all swaddled up! thinking about you …
Jun 25, 2007 @ 5:51 AM
Cara
Everytime you post a picture, I just want to eat her up! Sleep, Schmeep!
Jun 25, 2007 @ 7:37 AM
stacey
aww – she is so cute! aren’t those headbands the BEST!!!! I made a bunch and love them!
Jun 25, 2007 @ 8:59 AM
Gina
For someone who is sleep-deprived and suffering from baby brain, you are getting quite a good deal done, my dear. You are right — she is so adorable. You can easily forgive that face for disturbing your sleep.
Jun 25, 2007 @ 9:40 AM
brenda in toronto
hey! it’s good to hear from you – thanks for the update. ‘Nut is so cute!
Jun 25, 2007 @ 10:18 AM
Sandra
ohmygoodness, peanut is a total ham. the camera loves *her*! hee hee.
no sleep = the suck.
sorry you have to go through all that again just when things starting looking up. i’m sure you’ll be catching more z’s again real soon, tho. 
that headband will totally adorable! if i could sew i’d make one for myself. but i don’t. so i will just have to envy you instead. *envies*
Jun 25, 2007 @ 12:23 PM
craptina
man she’s adorable, I would love to come visit again soon!!! Congrats to you that you’re able to get any crafting done at all
Jun 25, 2007 @ 1:10 PM
Katie
I just love seeing the updated pictures! I hope your sleep returns some day. Good luck wth that.
Jun 25, 2007 @ 2:24 PM
alison
Yay, a Gleek update! The nut is so adorable.
Jun 25, 2007 @ 2:29 PM
Katy
You look like you’re plenty productive to me!
If the Peanut likes bouncing, an exercise ball might be good–I have a friend with a 4-month-old who swears by hers!
Jun 25, 2007 @ 5:33 PM
laura b
It’s only fair that your brain is missing half the time after you have a baby… after all, your heart is residing outside of your body as well.
Jun 25, 2007 @ 6:22 PM
femiknitter
My mom had a baby while I was in high school, and she went though much of the same fussiness you’re currently experiencing. It DID eventually improve–I promise! And the peanut is still super cute!
You’ve also got some wonderful crafting going on, which is great! I love those headbands–I think I might give them a try!
Jun 26, 2007 @ 7:56 AM
MeBeth
I could hardly read your post I was so distracted by the cuteness of the Peanut! SO CUTE! Hope she finds her way to a happy sleepy schedule sometime soon.
Jun 26, 2007 @ 12:32 PM
amanda
y’all are so cute steph!! i love your little headbands. baby C is precious!
Jun 26, 2007 @ 2:58 PM
Lynne
Hi Stephanie,
Camille is so cute! She looks so much like Keith. I am sorry you having a hard time right now. Chris had major sleep and gastro problems too.
Things will improve with time. Once she can sit up or eat some rice cereal, she will spit up less. It is hard with all the outfit changes for Mom and baby. I totally understand what you are going through. Hope things improve and we can’t wait to meet Camille.
Jun 26, 2007 @ 7:47 PM
joy
who knew such an adorable thing could create co much havoc on your sleep! that offer of sending the mr. out there still stands! (i just have to make sure he knows first… HA!)
*hugs*
get some sleep, love!
Jun 26, 2007 @ 10:38 PM
Aimee
She’ll get back on schedule again. I”m waiting for Max to jump his sleep schedule. He’s been sleeping through the night for so long now I have a feeling it’s going to come to an end soon. He’s napping now and I feel like i should take a quick nap but I’d rather be knitting my socks right now. Yarntini or a nap? I choose Yarntini.
You are so crafty! I love seeing all the things you are working on. cool.
How’s the bumbo working out for you? I think we need to get one for Max asap. He loves sitting up.
Jun 27, 2007 @ 7:30 AM
knitannie
I do not miss those days of constant fear of a tiny baby waking up. Sometimes I would lie awake waiting for the hungry cry to pierce the silence. It will get better. And my advice on the rocking thing is give it up now before you break your back. She may cry a little but if you rub her chest and sssshhh, it’s a lot easier on your arms and back and she will learn to fall asleep lying in her cot. But what do I know???
Jun 29, 2007 @ 1:49 AM
Lolly
Totally with you on the almond milk. SO yummy
I make shakes out of it for my breakfast almost everyday!
She is so beautiful, S!
Jun 29, 2007 @ 12:42 PM
Jessica
I love those Peanut pictures! She is so smiley and sweet! And I have to say, I too am impressed with all of the crafting you’ve managed to get done–I’d be passed out next to the Peanut every time she snoozed!
Jun 29, 2007 @ 3:24 PM
mamie
oh lord, do i hear every word of that post. with twins 10 week olds, well, sleep is a distant memory. but they are so precious when you look at them after they wake (from that 10 minute sleep) that you just melt. the nut is looking so very cute…how quickly they grow.
Jun 29, 2007 @ 3:48 PM
colleen
There’s quite a lot of crafting going on here. I didn’t know about that book–thanks for the tip.
Jun 29, 2007 @ 11:07 PM
elizabooth
Oh dear. I had one of those babies. I nursed her to sleep for over a year. It was a bad idea, so if you can stay strong and avoid it. please do. Honestly, despite all the books we had by Dr. Sears and our committment to tender parenting, after about nine months we started to let (okay force) our little one to cry to sleep. It was brutal, but her personality dictated it was the only way. Now she’s two and a half and unless she’s sick or has a rare nightmare, she hasn’t woken in the middle of the night for over a year. No matter what way you choose to go it will will will get better. I promise.
And those headbands are adorable! I’ve already downloaded the pattern. How perfect for summer! (oh, and the baby is super adorable too!)
Jul 09, 2007 @ 7:16 PM