Crib Strike

So for the past 2 1/2 - 3 months, Colm has decided that he likes Mommy and Daddy's bed SO MUCH BETTER than his own. I am not sure what exactly forced us to venture down this path to begin with, but I keep hoping this is merely just a phase. All though, we're beginning to have our doubts. I can remember the good old days where he'd sleep all night in his crib, no waking up, no crying, no problem. Those days are a fond and distant memory and I'm desperately trying anything to get back to that place of serenity, but it's not going very well. It seems to have started during the last teething cycle....he'd wake up SCREAMING and Matt or I would come running. We'd pick him up and try to get him back down by walking or rocking him to sleep, but the only thing that would really soothe him was laying with us, snugly in the middle. Normally, this would not be much of an issue. We've got space in our bed and Matt and I seem to fit comfortably with no problem. But when you throw a toddler in the mix, who loves to turn and twist and spin around and sleep completely sideways in his sleep, this presents an issue where neither of us have any space and are practically falling off of the edges of the bed. How can something so small take up so much room?? It's amazing! See diagram:

I am having a really hard time just letting him cry it out, but that's my next step. But I'm so torn because he is still so young and not fully able to tell me exactly what he wants or needs yet. I've read on one hand that it's good to let him just cry....it helps build independence. OMG...it's sooo hard. I've been so used to waking up and tending to my sweet baby for a year and 1/2 now, that it's hard to let him go and just wail. I feel almost like I'm betraying his trust...he's trusting me to come in there when he needs me. And when I don't show up, it's like "Where's my Mama?? I need my Mama and she's not here!" UGG....rip your heart out, right? But I've also read that it's good to let them sleep with you and good to come when they cry. Crying is their form of communication to you. When you come when they cry, it helps build trust and have a sense of security. I've read that by letting them sleep with you, there's a lower risk of SIDS because the parents are more in tune with the baby's breathing and the kid comes out to be a more well adjusted adult for having a good sense of security early on. So I have no idea what to do here. We're both so low on sleep that we're dragging during the day. I'm going to try letting him cry himself to sleep as much as I can stand it. If that doesn't work, I think I'm just going to let him fall asleep in our bed and try to sneak him back in his crib for the rest of the night. Man, being a Mom is seriously a tough job! I really wish these kids would pop out with an instruction manual! That would be pretty sweet!

Mom, this is for you!

I love you Mom....and I totally understand now!

Murphy Castle Progress

This was an eventful weekend. Matt and I have finally been able to make some progress on the home rennovations at our future new home. We began major demolition with knocking down the exterior wall to the front of the house. Let me explain why we knocked down this wall. Everytime it rained, water would build up under the wall and pool on the floor. Upon looking at how the initial wall was contructed, we realized that whoever built it never used water resistant walling and used plywood and particle board instead. The wood and boards were totally rotted out and warped from so much water damage. Apparently, it's been leaking for years. Nice. So basically, we have to rebuild the entire wall to stop the leaking. That's fine with me, because I get to put in new windows and cut out a space for another window beside the one that's already there. We're hoping to have the wall completely rebuilt in 2 weeks. That's one of the major projects of this house, so once that's done, it'll help us to start on other projects like the wiring and floor installation. We also installed a toilet and a sink in one of the bathrooms...hooray! That was quite a proud moment for Matt. He is now the Toilet Master, having conquered the stereo-like toilet installation instructions and making sure everything was connected correctly. The defining moment of his toilet triumph was the sound the the very first "FLUSH." It was glorious! He also had to rig the air conditioning unit, because apparently there was something wrong with the drip pan and it pooled water all over the floor. Awesome. All I keep hearing is cha-ching, cha-ching, everytime we find out something else is jacked up with this place. It truly is the money pit! But anyway. We also did some major cleaning and yard work in the front of the house. We've still got a long way to go, but we both feel good that we have made a good start. So we're hoping to have this finished by the end of the summer, so I'm crossing my fingers.

I must say that I am happy that my parents have been gracious enough to let us stay with them, while we're getting this house in a liveable condition. Even though there are days that haven't been entirely all together peachy and we've driven one another a little nuts, overall, my parents have been wonderful and are really the ones who are making it possible for us to rebuild this place, as we're paying for everything out of pocket. So we are ever grateful. I know we, as in ALL of us, are both ready for us to move out, because it's nice to have your own space. But I don't think we would've been able to do this without their hospitality. So i just wanted to say thanks ya'll and love you so much!