SLEEP

When I was younger I had the wonderful talent of being able to fall asleep anywhere. One of the best places was on our boat under my mom's feet in Lake Powell. People would wonder how I could sleep while it was so bumpy. Like I said it was a gift. As I got older I realized how much I liked sleep. I would try to squeeze in a nap after school before I had to go to work. Needless to say I love to sleep. After marrying me poor Brad came to realize not only do I love to sleep but I am no fun to be around when I don't sleep (a lot of crying and being really emotional and so on).

Well one thing that comes with being a parent is a lack of sleep. I accepted that early on with Ryker. So when I finally felt he was ready to sleep through the night I geared myself up for a lot of sleepless nights, because everyone said it would be hard. So one night when he woke up I went to put his pacifier in and left, he continued to cry and so did I because I felt bad. Half an hour later he was asleep and has slept through the night since.

So for the past 6 months I have been looking forward to the day the twins slept through the night. Well it hasn't happened... Between the two of them we were getting up for feedings ever couple of hours. Remember how I said I am no fun to be around when I am tired. It was starting to wear on me. I decided time for some sleep training. I know how important a night routine is so we have been doing that since they were born. We got ready for bed I kissed them good night and so it began. Now they go to sleep just fine, it is the waking up in the middle of the night we have a hard time with. Later that night when Beckett woke up I went in and gave him his pacifier; he wanted nothing to do with it. Like an article I read said I went in every 15 minutes reassure him, give him his pacifier and leave the room. This lasted from 2:45 to 5:30. It was a really long night.

Well after that it helped I guess... Beckett would fall asleep if I gave him his pacifier however, I was now getting up every half hour to put in someone’s pacifier. Not so great. I don't think my body even remembers how to deep sleep. So I finally decided to go cold turkey, not even go in the room. Beckett got up at 1, I wanted so badly just to go in and give him his pacifier because I knew he would stop. But I stayed strong. Some of you may be judging me, and calling me a terrible mom but they need to learn to sleep and I need to sleep. I woke up every hour and he was still crying, sometimes harder than others, sometimes it was just a little whine. He did this until 5 and I felt horrible...

The next night they slept pretty good and I am hoping it keeps up. The point of this story is I love sleep and if anyone has some good tips I could use send them my way. I have read parts of "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby" I don't know how I feel about it. What works for you?

6 Month Monsters!

I can't believe that my babies have been with us for half a year! Some days it seems like just yesterday we got them and some days it feels like forever! I am not ready for them to be so old.
Beckett the bucket is an eating champ, he LOVES rice cereal. He can roll over and loves to roll around the room. However, he gets very mad if something blocks his way so he can't roll anymore. He hates his car seat and sleeping through the night. He can be very stubborn (he must get it from his dad ;)) He has the cutest smile and is starting to coo a lot more. Jessica says when he laughs he sounds like an old man. He thinks it is funny when we kiss and tickle his chunky cheeks. He is a moose and we love him.
Length: 27.25 inch (75%)
Weight: 15 lbs. 15 oz. (25%)
Head: 43 cm (25%)

Soapy Sophie wants nothing to do with rice cereal. We will put it in her mouth and she just drools it out. She sleeps sometimes other times she doesn't. She loves her mobile and loves to talk to it. She likes to be sitting up, when we are chillin she likes to be up and looking around. She still likes to cuddle which makes me happy because she will fall asleep on my chest. When she wakes up from her nap or in the morning she leans forward and opens her mouth for a kiss. She loves to give wet kisses and I can't get enough of them. I love her big smile she is our princess.
Length: 25.9 inch (50%)
Weight: 14 lbs. 2 oz. (10%)
Head: 42.8 cm (50%)

Twins cane be tough, there are a lot of sleepless nights. I think night time is the hardest time. During the day they give me lots of smiles which make it worth it. They love to hold hands when they lay by each other. I feel like they are aware of what each other is doing. It is fun to see how they interact. Ryker also loves to play with them and bring them toys. One morning I was lying in bed and when I got up to go check on the twins Ryker had put toys in each of their cribs. Ryker will wipe their noses and throw away diapers for me. He is a great big brother and loves his siblings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We went to Temple Square with my family. It snowed a little (some of the only snow we have seen this year). It was fun going to dinner and walking around to see the lights. On the 23rd my family had a Christmas party it was fun to get together with the family. Cindy did a back to Bethlehem theme, she had fun crafts for the kids and we had a cousin gift exchange and Santa came. Ryker wanted to get on Santa's lap.

I had a busy month of December, I made 84 Reinbeers (for my family and my mom's friends), 6 sock monkeys, a Christmas head band and tutu for Sophie, 20 neighbors gifts and lots of treats.

For Christmas we opened presents at our house. We had to wake Ryker up; he didn't want to come downstairs because he wanted to get dressed. So he went sulking into his room, it was pretty funny. Brad got some work clothes, a CD, a DVD, and some shoes. I got a Kindle Fire, some clothes, a sweet pot, and some other cooking things. Ryker got some clothes, toys, a bicycle, and a computer. Beckett and Sophie both got toys and some clothes. We had a wonderful Christmas. After we opened presents my family came over for breakfast. I loved having them over. We went to Brad's parents after my family left. Todd called and we got to Skype him, it was neat to see and talk to him.

The week after Christmas Brad had some time off so he spent the week at home. It was fun having him home and we just relaxed. The kids loved having him home and playing with him.

For New Year's Eve we went to my parents’ house. We ate yummy fondue and other treats. Around 10:30 I realized how tired I was, so we did fireworks and went home. Sadly we were in bed at midnight... We must be getting old :) Well we had a great Christmas. Here are some pictures, sorry there are no captions my blog has been loading pictures on funny so I can't see them.