Everyday::For Uncle Rick

Callum running across the kitchen to give me a hug, in the shirt Uncle Ricky bought him in Manchester.

Everyday::Sleeping

It seems that at every turn today people are talking about the best method to convince your kids to sleep through the night. The minute someone suggests that something is the best method I cringe. There is no best method, so stop judging all the other mothers out there already.
It got me thinking about how we convinced Callum to sleep through the night. Basically I think we bribed him with a new car when he turned 16 or something. Honestly, we employed every ‘method’ out there at some point in the process and the kid just started to sleep through the night about the time the experts say that kids will start sleeping through the night. It was miraculous really. Unless he’s teething, and then he’ll wake up and end up in our bed, something that isn’t ideal but considering I don’t ever seem to dish out any medication to the kid he finds comfort draped over my chest instead. This is the problem – I’d have to actually, you know, walk down the stairs and get the medicine. Its a long way. Then I’d have to walk back UP. The agony.
Personally I think that there is no best method, there is only what works for you and your family. I’m a firm believer in doing what’s “best for family” and not what is “best for baby”. Maybe I’m a hardass (but I doubt that considering when Callum was little I never let the little dude cry) but the thing is with the “best for baby” approach they always forget to mention that it might drive you to the point where you throw the baby out the car window. Just sayin’. Could happen. There’s a reason why the number one rule of parenting is “Don’t Kill the Baby”. In order to remain sane you have to do what works for everyone, not just the baby.
I’m wondering how we’re going to handle Claire when she arrives. With Callum I had the luxury of napping at will but I just don’t see that happening this time round.
I wonder if we can afford two new cars in about 16 years.

Everyday::Blurry Callum cradling a sippy cup

Everyday::The Beach

There was server update over the weekend, which means that I lost the last two posts. ah, par for the course with a server move. I can’t remember what I said now, though. Some griping about not having the spare room emptied yet and we went to the beach.

Everyday::Finger Painting

Last night Steve and I went to our first “Birthing From Within” birth class. I did the free classes offered by the health unit when I was pregnant with Callum and came away from it unimpressed. I was going to forgo birthing classes altogether this time, but found this class in my community and signed us up. I figured it couldn’t hinder the process at any rate.
It is seriously out of our comfort zone, but you practice relaxation and pain management techniques in the class and it should be motivating to practice them at home, too. Steve was a total trooper because it is most certainly not something he would have done in any other situation. There is a lot of “sharing”, and art. And chakra balancing. I don’t need the man to pledge his undying love to me because no man would attend this class if he didn’t love his wife .