Top Chef

Jack is very helpful in the kitchen. He helps unload the dishwasher, as well as all the cupboards and drawers. He has a few favorite items - the ones he usually steals (and carries off to hide around the house) are: the giant spatula, a red cooking spoon, a small frying pan & lid and his multicolored baby spoons. After a busy morning of cooking, he was quite worn out. He snuggled with his favorite stuffed animal (he loves Baby Tad - best Craigslist find ever!) and quickly fell asleep. perhaps he is dreaming of the next meal he will help prepare...or the next item he will swipe from the kitchen!

Out Like A Light

Looks like all the climbing and running is wearing him out. Seriously...climbing. He figured out how to get up on top of a file box and was standing, proud smile firmly in place, just waiting for us to notice. We noticed all right...and immediately Jack-proofed the room (again). I relish his naps - if he's sleeping he's not being naughty!

Mommy - 1, Jack - 0

We have begun the bedtime battles. Or, rather, the bedtime battles continue. Jack will sleep in his crib, it is true, but getting him to sleep has become a challenge. Two nights ago, he was awake until almost 3 am (no, really) refusing to sleep. Last night I decided I'd had enough of his nightly shenanigans and put him in his crib at 9 o'clock. He did cry and fuss (loudly) for nearly 20 minutes, but I won. He slept all night and woke up in a great mood that's lasted all day. We'll be doing that 9 pm bedtime thing again. Tonight, as a matter of fact. And then again tomorrow :)

Cry It Out

Can I just say that I detest the cry it out method? I hate putting my little guy in his crib and leaving him to cry. I hate that even after he falls asleep, his little body is still wracked with his sobs. I hate that this is the only way that we can get him to go to sleep anymore. We have been doing this for 3 days now, for night time as well as naps, and his crying time has decreased to under 2 minutes. It's still awful. I am hoping that within the next few days the crying stops and he falls asleep without all the heartrending tears. Until then, I will be hiding in the other room, trying not to cry. Being a Mommy is just no fun sometimes!

Crib Update

Although it is nearly impossible to ascertain this from today's (adorable) photo, Jack has become more accustomed to sleeping in his crib. Now, before you go thinking he's sleeping in there for 8 hours a night or something ridiculous like that, let me tell you that we are pleased with his 4-6 hour stints at this point. Yes, we are certainly working on those oft-dreamed of full nights where Jack is happily ensconced in his own bed. Until that happens, however, our nights look a little something more like today's (adorable) photo. It's going to happen someday. Right?

Taking a Sick Day

Jack has his first cold. He has been running a low grade fever on & off since last night and is a wee bit grumpy. He has a runny nose and a little cough. He didn't sleep well last night, waking every few hours. We were glad to return to our apartment today so that he can recuperate in the comfort of his home. He needs lots of TLC and extra rest. Poor little guy!

The Inmate

We are working on transitioning Jack to the crib. It's not the easiest process, since he has been slightly spoiled with co-sleeping and spending the night in his swing. I've started putting him in the crib for naps (after he's already fallen asleep) and sometimes at bedtime. He's really not into it - the longest he's slept (so far) has been the three hour stint a few nights ago. We will keep trying though, especially as he's almost outgrown his swing. This is what I get for spoiling him :)

Safety Note: We will be lowering his mattress tomorrow, and he usually doesn't have all those blankets. He woke up as soon as I put him down, so I gave him the blankies to see if he'd go back to sleep....no such luck this time!