Crazy Article

So I get these e-mails from 2-3 sites that give me ideas on gifts, games, toys and milestones that Matthew should be achieving. These websites also link to blogs and forums where moms brag about how they kid is sleeping through the night, reading and writing at 6 months, you know telling the world how "special" they and their child are...and there are links to other articles...usually how to get your kid to sleep all night, how to start solid food, how you should expose your child to many languages, etc...some of this stuff actually quite good...and some not so good b/c it makes you feel like a horrible parent and a below average child....

So Matthew just hit 6 months, so of course I see the e-mail form one of the sites and all the articles and suggested items are about how to get ready and plan the perfect 1st birthday....I am really I need to plan 6 months in advance for a party that the kid will no remember?? I mean, really, I need to plan some elaborate party? If you know me, then right off the bat you know this is so not gonna happen...again, an example of how this site can make you feel that you are "found wanting"

Ok, so next article link is something about the 10 gift ideas for the 1st birthday...so first thing on the list was blocks...totally agree, blocks with numbers and letters in different colors hits all sorts of developmental things..and if I remember I loved to build with blocks so you get added bonus to build crazy structures.

Next things was push toys...ok, by 1 yr I guess kids are walking or learning to walk and with the old school walkers that I grew up with I guess push toys are a viable alternative...plus some push toys eventually become toys to be ridden when the  kid gets a bit older...ok, so far I like the 2 top ideas

Noisy toys...oh boy, this person writing this article must not have children...I get why parents hate really noisy toys...or toys with songs...b/c after hearing the silly songs 1000 times you think you are losing your mind...and I totally get why Aunts and Uncles totally give these gifts...usually as payback...I am finding that Matt can make plenty of noise on his own and really doesn't need toys that are noise-makers...and if you give a toy that is a noise-maker, make sure it has a an on/off switch b/c otherwise I can guarantee that toy will be taken away and limited in access to the child...

Now at this point I have to skim the rest of the article b/c Matthew is now (with noise) demanding attention...so the last thing that caught my eye was Plates, cups and feeding supplies (totally agree, especially if you have kids and can give some great travel plates...plus you know what type of sippy cups are really no-spill) and books...which my mother I am sure will be glad to see...but in order to make sure we don't get repeat books, I guess I need to put the list of what we have on a blog in about 5 months (b/c again, not going to plan his party until probably a week or 2 beforehand).

Ok, so thats about all for my venting...as for Matthew...rough night...but we are working on the sleep in the crib...and the 1 feeding...yep, i am beginning to impose some rules to how I approach his sleep...so at 9pm he fell asleep...at 1030 he woke up, Jay patted his back and made soothing sounds and eventually 15 or so minutes, Matthew fell back asleep...that lasted to about midnight...and I was able to get the pacifier in and some patting...he made it about 30 minutes...from 1230 to 1256...it was miserable..just as I am thinking that he is about to calm down...and he is kicking and thrashing in his crib this entire time and refusing the pacifier...he starts up again with more kicking and thrashing...so I gave in at 1, feed him and then worked on getting him to sleep...thought about 1:10 he was out and I could put him back in his crib...oh so not happening...he woke up the minute I set him down and started screaming...so tried patting, soothing yep all those things the sites tell you...not picking him up...even just let him scream and went to bed...by 130am...i hear him bump his head b/c he is trying to I guess break his crib with his head...so i pick him up and immediately he settles down...by this point I give up, I lay down and let Matt snuggle with me and he is out...then 4am hits and we are up again...what is it??? I try to rock, re-position...pacifier...nothing is working so I give in and give me a bottle...he immediately settles down...now I take it away after he gets about an ounce and he once again settles down...

So the victories...made it to 1230 before the "monster" came out...
Not so good, I gave in and encouraged again the sleeping with me...yep one day I will overcome but after an hour I was spent...

Oh and new trick...as I am typing this and Matthew is on the floor...he is trying to bit my toes...yep, he is crawling over to my feet and biting me...which wouldn't be so bad but now with those 2 bottom teeth it isn't so pleasant...
Well, hopefully tonight Jay will have a better night...