One of the strangest things about our living situation for the past ten months is that I often feel like I lead a double life. The Lawyer is home on weekends but drives away every Sunday evening and we've fallen into a new, albeit a slightly off-kilter routine.
Weekdays, I am a single mom working from dawn to dark, trying to keep everything running. My days start before 6 a.m. so that I can exercise (p90x in the office) and have some quiet moments with the Lord. The kids are usually all awake before 6:30 and we're off to the races- refereeing sibling conflicts, helping the little ones dress, and feeding hungry bellies. . . and begging (often audibly!) for just a little more quiet.
Our days are full- mornings are memory work and schooling. A quick break for lunch, poetry, and books. Then, blessed rest time for everyone (except me). When the mandatory "supposed to be quiet" hour has expired, boys finish school and then we move to outside jobs and play and I take the phone for wellness consulting and team building. Too late I realize it's dinner time and the baby (M-1) is fussy and everyone is tired of having "M time." There are 30 very crazy minutes until dinner is on the table. . . then a very few noisy minutes of eating and I'm upstairs to take M potty and get him ready for bed (also praying that the children downstairs are actually working on the clean up chores).
Tonight I bathed the three youngest then we spent a good while dancing to Beethovan's Wig 4. With M in bed, we move into night reading (one of my most favorite parts of the day!). Even though bedtime is supposed to be 8 I often read much later, just for the joy of being with the kids and sharing a great story. It's the longest stretch in the day when I feel most present and I like that. Though I'd also like to linger over beds while tucking in the kids, I'm always anxious to get back to the downstairs chores so that I can have a few quiet moments again. I don't really clean up the whole house; I'm just too tired. I do, however, diligently check all the doors and windows, making sure everything is locked up and ready for the night. (I have forgotten this several nights and recognize the Lord's generous protection!)
I go to bed with the day just a blur in my mind, so many things undone. . . and yet such sweetness, too. I've spent all day talking, instructing, correcting, praising (not enough!). Bedtime is late (even though I have all these self-imposed rules to stop eating at a certain time, turn off the computer at a certain time...). After I slide into bed I list my gratitudes; I am so grateful for this full life. . . the full day I lived but can barely remember.
Then, The Lawyer comes home- oh, joy! Everyone is excited; it is the highlight of every week. We wait dinner on his arrival (except M) and when he walks in, everything seems to change.
The kids talk without breathing and I find myself silent. He gives the boys a break after dinner and handles most of the clean up single-handedly. While he tucks everyone in, I generally lace up my shoes and quietly slip out into the dusk for a few minutes. He does a lot of dishes at night and I breathe thanks for the moments I can nurse M without hearing the tussles downstairs. I don't check any locks or turn anything off before I go upstairs to bed. He and I stay up too late, trying to fit all of a week's conversations into a few nights. We linger in bed each morning; he is so thankful to be in his own bed and I'm relieved to have him beside me.
I cook more when The Lawyer is here (because he loves it and because I don't always have M pulling on my legs). I do loads and loads of laundry so he will be ready to leave in a few days. With Daddy home, it feels like vacation time. The house is messier than I would like because everyone is off playing, jumping, riding, etc.- yet how can I ask them to come in and work? Daddy home is a celebration! Everyone clamors for his attention so that we have to institute rules about who sits by him at which meal. We have a "sweet treat" night and popcorn before bed and pancakes for breakfast. I can't seem to manage more than a walk for exercise and my quiet time is during the shower I linger in (who had time to shower during the week?!).
When The Lawyer is home things fall into a different rhythm and take on his personality. There is more laughter (and more alcohol, but I'm sure that's not corrolated!). It's just as exhausting in different ways. I find myself observing our family as everyone spirals around him (he likens them to tornados). The boys punch on him and grin crookedly and giggle. Everyone talks and there are endless word plays and corny jokes. It's a wonderfully full life.
And then Sunday comes and by the afternoon we all feel the heaviness of his leaving. As he drives away, I resume my weekday mantle. I feel the weight of responsibility for the little ship I captain on the swells. This taking on and defering authority has been awkward at times, and rightly so. There isn't a true rhythm to this season. The weekends are so different from the weekdays that I sometime think I lead a double life- both messy and full and kind of crazy good, but not seamless.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Fun With Roman Numerals!
We were introduced to "18 Wheels on a Big Rig" several years ago on a "Ralph's World" album. There were only two boys then and they were very young! The Lawyer and I thought it was very fun, however.
Now those boys know their Roman numerals and they have The Lawyer's sense of humor. I guess that's why they watched four different versions of this song tonight. . . and this one is our hands-down favorite. We were ALL laughing.
Hoping you have a happy weekend!
Now those boys know their Roman numerals and they have The Lawyer's sense of humor. I guess that's why they watched four different versions of this song tonight. . . and this one is our hands-down favorite. We were ALL laughing.
Hoping you have a happy weekend!
Monday, May 23, 2011
A Three Year Old, Preoccupied with his New Watch
Due to a nice, long afternoon nap the three year old isn't sleepy. And it's nigh onto 11 p.m. And I am sleepy. As soon as I opened the blog to post my gratitudes for the day, he started in:
"Mom. Guess what I'm glad with? I'm glad with my watch because I never had one before.
Do you know how to spell my name? Try to spell my name. It's T-A-T-E.
And this key... that's to go part of it off [delete]. I can push it when you're ready.
Mom. The one that can move is pointing to the one.
I have a watch on. But you don't have your watch on. But I have my watch on so I know what time it is.
The short hand is pointing to the one. What does one and one make? One and one makes two.
I'm telling you what time it is.
Mom. You know how to spell my name. It's easy. Try! Would you like to spell my name/ Do you know how to? Do you want to try?
Okay, so try it on the bottom. Do T-A-T-E.
Where is it? Where is T-A-T-E? There it is! That's my name! It's easy for you.
Dad's name is D-A-D-E. No, it's D-A-D-M. 'Cause Dad told me there's an "m" in his name.
And this is my favorite color. And white is my favorite color, too. And black. The numbers on my watch are black.
Mine is not the same as yours. But mine is a circle and yours is, too. But mine has Mickey Mouse and yours doesn't.
Mom. She thought I would like this. Grandma Curtis, she found this on a yard sale. She thought I would like this and she was right!
Mom. That hand is pointing to the three. Look! I can make it move!
Where's my name? There it is. It's really easy for you. It's easy for me, too! I'll try to do it.
Mom. My watch has something that moves. And you wear watches. You wear watches; this one is different than yours. . .
There are two lines that are turning. That one can't move anymore, "cause it's tired... but I'm not ready to go to sleep yet..."
And here is where I must end, else he continue for hours more. *smile* I do think that three year olds say the best things. And now. . . he is asleep! Seriously- just one minute after I enforced absolute silence... he is sleeping beside me.
626) Three year old enthusiasm
627) Garage sale finds
628) Impromptu gift in the mail- such a delight!
629) No charge at the pediatrician for the question about a child other than the child who was scheduled
630) Fresh strawberry popsicles (why is there always FOOD on my lists?!)
631) New baby! Congrats to cousin Jeff and wife Rebecca!
632) Anticipation of an IL trip this summer.
633) Final lessons in school books; culmination of consistent effort over time.
634) Phone call with a friend, when in a few moments I am brought to tears at the truth spoken over me.
635) Child in bed next to me; miracle of watching him sleep.
"Mom. Guess what I'm glad with? I'm glad with my watch because I never had one before.
Do you know how to spell my name? Try to spell my name. It's T-A-T-E.
And this key... that's to go part of it off [delete]. I can push it when you're ready.
Mom. The one that can move is pointing to the one.
I have a watch on. But you don't have your watch on. But I have my watch on so I know what time it is.
The short hand is pointing to the one. What does one and one make? One and one makes two.
I'm telling you what time it is.
Mom. You know how to spell my name. It's easy. Try! Would you like to spell my name/ Do you know how to? Do you want to try?
Okay, so try it on the bottom. Do T-A-T-E.
Where is it? Where is T-A-T-E? There it is! That's my name! It's easy for you.
Dad's name is D-A-D-E. No, it's D-A-D-M. 'Cause Dad told me there's an "m" in his name.
And this is my favorite color. And white is my favorite color, too. And black. The numbers on my watch are black.
Mine is not the same as yours. But mine is a circle and yours is, too. But mine has Mickey Mouse and yours doesn't.
Mom. She thought I would like this. Grandma Curtis, she found this on a yard sale. She thought I would like this and she was right!
Mom. That hand is pointing to the three. Look! I can make it move!
Where's my name? There it is. It's really easy for you. It's easy for me, too! I'll try to do it.
Mom. My watch has something that moves. And you wear watches. You wear watches; this one is different than yours. . .
There are two lines that are turning. That one can't move anymore, "cause it's tired... but I'm not ready to go to sleep yet..."
And here is where I must end, else he continue for hours more. *smile* I do think that three year olds say the best things. And now. . . he is asleep! Seriously- just one minute after I enforced absolute silence... he is sleeping beside me.
626) Three year old enthusiasm
627) Garage sale finds
628) Impromptu gift in the mail- such a delight!
629) No charge at the pediatrician for the question about a child other than the child who was scheduled
630) Fresh strawberry popsicles (why is there always FOOD on my lists?!)
631) New baby! Congrats to cousin Jeff and wife Rebecca!
632) Anticipation of an IL trip this summer.
633) Final lessons in school books; culmination of consistent effort over time.
634) Phone call with a friend, when in a few moments I am brought to tears at the truth spoken over me.
635) Child in bed next to me; miracle of watching him sleep.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Lynchburg Air Show
We spent most of Saturday at the Lynchburg Air Show. This was a family celebration for us, using gift money to spend a fun day together.
Highlights: The flying circus- including a wing walker in a red jumpsuit. WWII planes "catching" balloons and destroying them with their propellers. Parachutists. And the Blue Angels, of course. Amazing. We also had ice cream twice- once at the air show and vanilla with fresh strawberries when we were finally home and cleaned up and happily sitting in the shade on the front steps.
We also stood in lines for a great deal of the day, including nearly an hour to get to the air show, an hour to get inside a helicopter, an hour for hot dogs, and two hours to get on a bus to take us back to our van. Most of this was taken in good stride, though the wait to get home (when we were already hot, tired, and thirsty) was taxing on all.
R (7) today: "Mom, I think I'm going to join the Special Forces at age 11, if I keep growing at this rate."
Highlights: The flying circus- including a wing walker in a red jumpsuit. WWII planes "catching" balloons and destroying them with their propellers. Parachutists. And the Blue Angels, of course. Amazing. We also had ice cream twice- once at the air show and vanilla with fresh strawberries when we were finally home and cleaned up and happily sitting in the shade on the front steps.
We also stood in lines for a great deal of the day, including nearly an hour to get to the air show, an hour to get inside a helicopter, an hour for hot dogs, and two hours to get on a bus to take us back to our van. Most of this was taken in good stride, though the wait to get home (when we were already hot, tired, and thirsty) was taxing on all.
R (7) today: "Mom, I think I'm going to join the Special Forces at age 11, if I keep growing at this rate."
 |
| T (3)- if you can't tell! |
 |
| The Blue Angels |
Monday, May 16, 2011
A Life of Celebration
There is a big post in my mind about celebrating. We created a celebration on Friday at the urging of a dear friend, simply because we needed it. And it is not too much to say that every day there needs to be some celebration! That's what I'm doing tonight, thinking back through the day's joys and choosing to make this a life of celebration.
606) The high ceiling of blue sky, arching overhead in the early morning
607) After-the-rain scent, hanging on the grass and dripping from the trees.
608) Eggs from a friend- "just because"
609) Amazingly delicious dinner with friends; nearly everything from their garden.
610) Crazy-generous gift of dinner out for our family. Such a morale booster! We gave thanks over and over and are still talking about it.
611) Vibrant worship with enthusiastic participation
612) Our first family communion experience; I had the sense of unseen greatness.
613) Furniture rearranged; the change is so invigorating and fun.
614) Fantastically delicious chocolate Complete shake
615) Juicy red strawberries savored
616) Strong words of a friend in a dark hour
617) Another home showing scheduled (tomorrow! yikes!)
618) Warmth of fellowship and genuine brotherly love
619) Berry art by L
620) Endless games of Mancala
621) Big kids cheering M (age 1) as he stands alone; timing him and applauding.
623) A trip to IL to look forward to
624) Walk in the rain to observe raindrops on trees
625) Baby birds in nests in our bushes.
606) The high ceiling of blue sky, arching overhead in the early morning
607) After-the-rain scent, hanging on the grass and dripping from the trees.
608) Eggs from a friend- "just because"
609) Amazingly delicious dinner with friends; nearly everything from their garden.
610) Crazy-generous gift of dinner out for our family. Such a morale booster! We gave thanks over and over and are still talking about it.
611) Vibrant worship with enthusiastic participation
612) Our first family communion experience; I had the sense of unseen greatness.
613) Furniture rearranged; the change is so invigorating and fun.
614) Fantastically delicious chocolate Complete shake
615) Juicy red strawberries savored
616) Strong words of a friend in a dark hour
617) Another home showing scheduled (tomorrow! yikes!)
618) Warmth of fellowship and genuine brotherly love
619) Berry art by L
620) Endless games of Mancala
621) Big kids cheering M (age 1) as he stands alone; timing him and applauding.
623) A trip to IL to look forward to
624) Walk in the rain to observe raindrops on trees
625) Baby birds in nests in our bushes.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting
This is enough reason to make a carrot cake: delicious, creamy, lemony, slightly buttery frosting. I made a carrot cake for a celebratory weekend and adapted a recipe to make this icing, which was. . . well, super yummy.
Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup cream cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I "powdered" my own= raw sugar in the Vitamix)
1. Beat first four ingredients at medium speed in a mixing bowl until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating at low until just blended. Makes about 2 cups- plenty to frost a 2 layer carrot cake!
Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup cream cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I "powdered" my own= raw sugar in the Vitamix)
1. Beat first four ingredients at medium speed in a mixing bowl until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating at low until just blended. Makes about 2 cups- plenty to frost a 2 layer carrot cake!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
American Hunger
With our shrinking dollar at the grocery store and community market, I have tried to cut out any extras we might be consuming. I confess that I'm not a big coupon clipper. I believe that works well for some ladies. I also think it takes a lot of time and in my experience, the coupons are not generally for things we use (basically we don't use packaged or processed items). Here are some of the things I have done:
Jelly? No. Totally unnecessary- especially when we have delicious, homemade bread.
Beverages? This was cut out a long time ago, but a few "fun" drinks have crept in here and there.
Variety. Golden raisins and regular raisins may be delicious overkill. In the same way, we don't really need to have almonds and cashews or pecans in the granola. One is just fine. Though I like a very textured salad, I can also appreciate one with only one type of green and a few vegetables instead of the array of a chopped salad.
Vanilla. I can make this at home for a fraction of the cost. We have an Amish market here that sells vanilla beans inexpensively.
Cheese. Gone is the delicious sun-dried tomato basil feta and the crumbled gorgonzola topping the salad. Though Parmesan is tasty on lentils, it is the most expensive portion of the meal. Scrambled eggs without cheese are still scrambled eggs, after all. When we aren't used to consuming cheese it is easier to taste and enjoy just a little (especially if it's good cheese!).
Honey. If we pass on the coveted combs we can purchase a larger jar. We can also recycle the glass containers from the market. With my new boule recipe for bread I no longer need honey- I like the simplicity of the flour, water, salt, and yeast.
Milk. Even though we don't generally consume cow's milk, I do buy it to make kefir. I can make almond milk from raw almonds in the Vitamix and it is less expensive (usually) than what I find at Kroger. When I do buy cow's milk, I can sometimes find it in the glass jars and on sale. When we return the jars, we receive back the $2 jar deposit.
With all this said, I've been feeling . . . well, kind of hungry. Maybe it's just that I miss the variety and the extras. Maybe we need more meat or protein. Maybe I'm just experiencing the pinch of cutting back. I think I see it in the kids, too- this yearning for things yummy. I'm not just meaning sugar or sweets (because we do still have some of those around from Easter!). . . but that desire to eat until you are really full. To pass around the bread until everyone is full instead of saying, "Everyone gets two pieces." To serve the oatmeal with all the delicious extras- nuts and raisins and maple syrup, vanilla milk and fresh berries. To have a snack other than popcorn. To have nut butters again! And Trader Joe's nutty American mix...
This is what I call "American hunger." I know that we are not deprived. I know we are RICH! Truly, immeasurably rich by the world's standards. It's just interesting to see how it pinches us when we give up some of the luxuries we are used to. We aren't really all that hungry, please don't get me wrong. In pinching pennies and trying to eat healthfully as food costs rise, these are some of the challenges.
So I praise Him that we have enough. That there is joy in breaking bread together as a family. That He continues to provide in amazing ways. (More on that later!) American hunger isn't so bad after all.
Jelly? No. Totally unnecessary- especially when we have delicious, homemade bread.
Beverages? This was cut out a long time ago, but a few "fun" drinks have crept in here and there.
Variety. Golden raisins and regular raisins may be delicious overkill. In the same way, we don't really need to have almonds and cashews or pecans in the granola. One is just fine. Though I like a very textured salad, I can also appreciate one with only one type of green and a few vegetables instead of the array of a chopped salad.
Vanilla. I can make this at home for a fraction of the cost. We have an Amish market here that sells vanilla beans inexpensively.
Cheese. Gone is the delicious sun-dried tomato basil feta and the crumbled gorgonzola topping the salad. Though Parmesan is tasty on lentils, it is the most expensive portion of the meal. Scrambled eggs without cheese are still scrambled eggs, after all. When we aren't used to consuming cheese it is easier to taste and enjoy just a little (especially if it's good cheese!).
Honey. If we pass on the coveted combs we can purchase a larger jar. We can also recycle the glass containers from the market. With my new boule recipe for bread I no longer need honey- I like the simplicity of the flour, water, salt, and yeast.
Milk. Even though we don't generally consume cow's milk, I do buy it to make kefir. I can make almond milk from raw almonds in the Vitamix and it is less expensive (usually) than what I find at Kroger. When I do buy cow's milk, I can sometimes find it in the glass jars and on sale. When we return the jars, we receive back the $2 jar deposit.
With all this said, I've been feeling . . . well, kind of hungry. Maybe it's just that I miss the variety and the extras. Maybe we need more meat or protein. Maybe I'm just experiencing the pinch of cutting back. I think I see it in the kids, too- this yearning for things yummy. I'm not just meaning sugar or sweets (because we do still have some of those around from Easter!). . . but that desire to eat until you are really full. To pass around the bread until everyone is full instead of saying, "Everyone gets two pieces." To serve the oatmeal with all the delicious extras- nuts and raisins and maple syrup, vanilla milk and fresh berries. To have a snack other than popcorn. To have nut butters again! And Trader Joe's nutty American mix...
This is what I call "American hunger." I know that we are not deprived. I know we are RICH! Truly, immeasurably rich by the world's standards. It's just interesting to see how it pinches us when we give up some of the luxuries we are used to. We aren't really all that hungry, please don't get me wrong. In pinching pennies and trying to eat healthfully as food costs rise, these are some of the challenges.
So I praise Him that we have enough. That there is joy in breaking bread together as a family. That He continues to provide in amazing ways. (More on that later!) American hunger isn't so bad after all.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
M is ONE!
M has been ONE for over a week and yet I've not found the pictures from our celebration (must be on The Lawyer's computer). Here is one from O's last soccer game last night.
One Year Old!
One Year Old!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Gratitudes Small and Large- All Gifts!
596) Phone conversations with friends- just because they are friends.
597) Surprise offers of blessing (not house offers, though!).
598) Peonies!
599) Swinging.
600) Sweet sleeping baby face.
601) Oh-so-sweet and delicious strawberries, warm and juicy, straight from the field.
602) The soft whir of blades on the lawnmower that I love.
603) Seeing people I know all around town as I run errands; such a sense of community is very satisfying to me.
604) Chocolate goat cheese truffles. . . and honey, lemon lavender spread . . . wow.
605) Making it to the top of the falls- as a family- and all seven of us returning.
597) Surprise offers of blessing (not house offers, though!).
598) Peonies!
599) Swinging.
600) Sweet sleeping baby face.
601) Oh-so-sweet and delicious strawberries, warm and juicy, straight from the field.
602) The soft whir of blades on the lawnmower that I love.
603) Seeing people I know all around town as I run errands; such a sense of community is very satisfying to me.
604) Chocolate goat cheese truffles. . . and honey, lemon lavender spread . . . wow.
605) Making it to the top of the falls- as a family- and all seven of us returning.
A Real BangUp Weekend
(And why I'm glad I have a daughter!)
What a weekend! We hiked Crabtree Falls again, and this time made it to the top (which was The Lawyer's chief objective).
On this trip the big boys fell into the falls at the top and were drenched with the cold water. They were adequately frightened as the water pulled them down the rocks- especially as we had been talking much about the number of people who have died at the Falls by climbing on the rocks which are slippery with a clear algae.
T (3) fell down several times on the hike, once at the top which resulted in a cut and bleeding lip. He carried a tape measure with him and dutifully measured most of the tree trunks that were cut beside the trail.
M (1) rode happily- mostly- in the Ergo and I am SO glad for this carrier. It's the best!
The Lawyer cut his wrist on a nail this weekend which required a tetanus shot and medicine.
And sweet L (6) is near and dear to my heart as the girl gave me at least 5 Mother's Day cards she created.
What a weekend! We hiked Crabtree Falls again, and this time made it to the top (which was The Lawyer's chief objective).
On this trip the big boys fell into the falls at the top and were drenched with the cold water. They were adequately frightened as the water pulled them down the rocks- especially as we had been talking much about the number of people who have died at the Falls by climbing on the rocks which are slippery with a clear algae.
T (3) fell down several times on the hike, once at the top which resulted in a cut and bleeding lip. He carried a tape measure with him and dutifully measured most of the tree trunks that were cut beside the trail.
M (1) rode happily- mostly- in the Ergo and I am SO glad for this carrier. It's the best!
The Lawyer cut his wrist on a nail this weekend which required a tetanus shot and medicine.
And sweet L (6) is near and dear to my heart as the girl gave me at least 5 Mother's Day cards she created.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sleep Experiment Conclusion
Okay. So it's not conclusive, but I would like to update our sleep experiment. I feel successful!
The baby is ONE (oh, my!) and he is sleeping through the night consistently. I usually put him to bed between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Sometimes he wakes between 5 and 6 a.m., but after nursing he goes back to sleep until about 7 a.m. This makes me feel great!
Key #1 was putting him in his own room to sleep. We temporarily moved L out of her room so that he could be alone. Even though I generally think Americans over-value independence, I did want the boy to be able to look around, realize he was alone, and be okay with it.
Key #2 was that he was in his own room- down the hall from me. While I did keep his door cracked and mine wide open. . . I was able to sleep. And I sleep hard. It sounds callous, but if he was crying, I probably slept through some of it- allowing him to learn to go back to sleep without me. (I'm not kidding; in college I once slept through tornado alarms that had the rest of the dorm in the basement.)
Key #3 was his blue blanket. He's fallen in love with it. He sticks his fingers in his mouth and sniffs that blue blanket and all is well. (And I didn't realize how important this was. The Lawyer and M and I just had a weekend away and I failed to bring the blue blanket, assuming the green "car" blanket was sufficient (the one we keep in the car for him that is oh, so similar to the blue blanket). It wasn't. M spent most of two nights in our bed, barely consolable.)
That's all I can come up with. Nothing amazing. He's still nursing, still taking two naps each day, and still sleeping in the pack n' play. And now he's ONE! (I know, I mentioned that earlier; it's still a bit of a shock to me.) We've moved L back into her room and he seems to be doing just fine. . . and therefore, so are we.
The baby is ONE (oh, my!) and he is sleeping through the night consistently. I usually put him to bed between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Sometimes he wakes between 5 and 6 a.m., but after nursing he goes back to sleep until about 7 a.m. This makes me feel great!
Key #1 was putting him in his own room to sleep. We temporarily moved L out of her room so that he could be alone. Even though I generally think Americans over-value independence, I did want the boy to be able to look around, realize he was alone, and be okay with it.
Key #2 was that he was in his own room- down the hall from me. While I did keep his door cracked and mine wide open. . . I was able to sleep. And I sleep hard. It sounds callous, but if he was crying, I probably slept through some of it- allowing him to learn to go back to sleep without me. (I'm not kidding; in college I once slept through tornado alarms that had the rest of the dorm in the basement.)
Key #3 was his blue blanket. He's fallen in love with it. He sticks his fingers in his mouth and sniffs that blue blanket and all is well. (And I didn't realize how important this was. The Lawyer and M and I just had a weekend away and I failed to bring the blue blanket, assuming the green "car" blanket was sufficient (the one we keep in the car for him that is oh, so similar to the blue blanket). It wasn't. M spent most of two nights in our bed, barely consolable.)
That's all I can come up with. Nothing amazing. He's still nursing, still taking two naps each day, and still sleeping in the pack n' play. And now he's ONE! (I know, I mentioned that earlier; it's still a bit of a shock to me.) We've moved L back into her room and he seems to be doing just fine. . . and therefore, so are we.
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