A Tale of Two Genkis - 59 Weeks

How unique you are. Just when we think we know you, know your habits…you change. Outside factors don't seem to matter, you just seem to zig and zag at will. Case in point, your sleeping habits. We've recently stopped using a bottle of milk to make you sleepy. We just lay you down in your crib around the same time each day. You cry a tiny bit, but you put yourself to sleep (made your mama so happy!).

With the weather changing now and days getting shorter, I expected some sort of sleep adjustment as it is darker earlier in the evening and stays darker later in the morning. I actually thought this might make you sleep more. And I was right. Maybe.

But, as always, there's just no telling with you. Let's talk about the last two days, September 28 and 29. 

This past weekend we went to Hopworks for the Handmade Bikes & Beer Fest. You were pretty good both days, of course a couple times you got crabby. But basically you were a good boy. I think going out both days and then playing at home made you tired. On Sunday night we put you to bed around 7:30. You were fussy for a little bit, but soon you were quiet and sleeping.

Usually, you're an alarm clock for us. Around 6am (sometimes earlier) you wake up and start talking or crying. The next morning though, my phone alarm woke me up, you were still sleeping. I walked past you to go take a shower, and I was sure the creaking wood floors would wake you up. Nope. You slept. Finally, I had to go to work. It was the first time I left for work with you sleeping. No goodbye kiss, just a sleeping baby. You had slept almost 12 hours.

Monday night we were thinking it would be the same. Your routine did not change. Dinner, then some playing, then upstairs around 7:30 to read a book with mama and go to sleep. Again, you fussed a bit when she put you int he crib, but soon you were quiet and sleeping. As I went to bed, I wondering if you would be sleeping when I went to work.

Of course, that did not happen. 

A little after 1am, you woke up and started to cry. We try to let you cry it out, but you just weren't happy. I went downstairs to sleep and your mama helped you get back to bed (you had a #2 in your diapers too!). You woke up early again, but you were quiet in the morning. It was nice when you slept 12 hours, but I have to admit it is nicer to see your face before I leave for work.

How long will you sleep tonight?

Self Sleeping! - 13 Months

Well kid, you did it. I won't get too far ahead of things, because you've only "done it" a few times, but it's a start. Of course I am talking about falling asleep without using a bottle of milk.

I've been gently pushing your mama to try and let you sleep at night without using a bottle to put you into that sleepy haze. Most folks say we should have tried this closer to 9 months, but you've been a bit of a challenge in the sleeping department anyway. So we were still celebrating the fact that you sleep regularly from 8pm to 6am. Huge win for us!

So we were not overly eager to introduce a new wrinkle to the sleeping process. That said, I convinced mama to try a new technique this weekend. At your nap time and at night, we would put you in your crib around the normal sleep time and just let you "cry it out" a bit. Mama was skeptical, but I know our house is big enough so I can go to a quiet area while you cry your eyes out (and subsequently tire yourself out).

So we tried it, and the first time, of course you cried…but also…you eventually fell asleep! Mama was surprised. I was a little surprised too, but on the outside I tried to look cool, like I knew this would happen.

Last night was another test. It was Sunday night (so I have work the next day). We took you upstairs to your crib at the normal sleeping time (just after 7:30). I was a little worried cause you had been fussy all day. But we gave it a try. Mama read you a book (Japanese version of Goodnight Moon). And then she put you down in your crib. You cried a bit, but before long (less than 30 minutes I think), it was quiet. You were sleeping! All by yourself with no milk to make you sleepy. You turned a corner. No more bottles! No more bedtime milk!

You can't imagine how happy this makes your mama. You see, your mama spends a lot of time with you, and she uses a lot of energy to get you to sleep at nap time or at night. It takes a lot of her energy. If you can put yourself to sleep (even if you cry a little), then she can feel a little refreshed, day by day. 

I know this is a small thing maybe for some parents, but for us, this is BIG. Thank you!

Labor Day 2014 - Camping #4

Wow buddy, camping excursion #4! We decided to end the summer with a little camping fun with the Tanner family. We found a nice family friendly campsite halfway between Seattle and Portland - Lake Sylvia Campground in Montesano, WA.

Before we talk about this trip, let's go back and think about the first 3 camping trips:

1. Nottingham Campground, Mt. Hood - May, 2014

This site was Plan B as we were trying to go to the free camping off Barlow Rd. In any case, both are in the shadow of Mt. Hood. It was very cold, and you didn't go to sleep so easily, but you slept through the night. It was a fun first camping trip. With Mom, Dad, Uncles Ben and Mark.

2. Crater Lake - July 2014

Such a beautiful place to visit. We did two nights here. Again, you didn't want to sleep so early, so the first night I ended up sleeping in the car with you. You were ok the second night, but still a bit difficult to get to sleep. With Mom, Dad, & Uncle Ben.

3. Barlow Rd, Mt. Hood - August 2014

This was the first "family only" camping trip. We went to Barlow rd for some free camping and in a much quieter location with no close camping neighbors (so if you were crying, nobody would hear you). With Mom & Dad.

And that brings us to camping #4. 

4. Lake Sylvia Campground, Montesano, WA - August/September 2014
We were really excited to end the summer with a big family camp trip. Having Sarah-chan and Kent-kun and you camping together was great. Lots of laughter and fun times. We had a chance to take a short day trip to the ocean (and a quick stop at a brewery!). We had a lot of fun and you had a nice chance to play outside.

Aunt Mayumi also had a special birthday surprise for you make a special s'mores cake. The Tanner family also gave you some cool gifts!

Sleeping was still difficult for you though. I think maybe you are too excited to sleep so when mama tries to put you to sleep in the tent, you just won't sleep. At night the campground is so quiet, so when you started crying, I brought you to the car with the hope to drive you to sleep. I drove around the camp site, but you were still awake. I then drove around town and then back to the campground, but you were still not sleepy. I finally parked at our camp and stayed in the car with you, but you were so crazy and you were either crying or trying to go everywhere in the car. Finally, around 2am, I asked mama to try to sit with you…and like a miracle, you finally fell asleep. Of course you woke up early, but at least you slept a little.

I know as a baby, it's not easy to go camping in a tent, but I am glad you had a chance to do some camping at a young age. I want you to be happy and comfortable when we go camping.