Sweet Sleep

Leah has had so much excitement the last couple of days!  We went over for Friday night pizza at Grandpa and Grandma Carlson's house.  She had way too much fun.  She was so excited to see Aunt Cassie and Uncle Bryan too.  She is amazing with little Aubrey.  She has no reaction at all when I hold Aubrey.  It makes me so happy she doesn't seem jealous at all.  I hope she will be that way with Brayden too!

Cavan's Aunt Tina and Uncle Peter are visiting this weekend.  We haven't seen them in almost a year, so it was great catching up.  Leah always has fun with Aunt Tina.  After our nice little visit, Leah took a nap.  She has been back to her 2 nap days.. I am not complaining at all.  She has been going down for her first nap around 7:45am. She then goes down again around 1.  I would like her to be a little bit more predictable, but oh well.

When I nursed her to sleep tonight, it was like any other night.  She nursed for about 8 minutes, then sat her head up and put her arms out for me to pick her up and lay her in bed.  She leaned for a kiss and went right to sleep in her crib.  I went downstairs and she started fussing within 10 minutes.  I never just leave her there, as normally she has a reason for fussing - poopy diaper.  I checked her, and she was dry and clean... stinker.  She really wanted me to hold her so I rocked her for a good 20 minutes.  I just love when she wants to cuddle.  I was hoping I could get her down without nursing her again.  I haven't had much success in the past by just rocking her, but I need to start getting her to sleep without nursing, and eventually without me.  She did great!  She went totally limp in my arms and I quietly put her back in bed.  She hasn't made a peep yet.  I love knowing she is completely secure and happy when she goes down.  I could never be the mom who just lets them cry.

I read a great article about a woman who had a 20 month old daughter and a newborn son.  It's just the age Leah will be when Brayden is born.  She was still nursing her toddler when her son was born, and had such a hard time refusing to nurse her toddler when her newborn needed to eat.  Her toddler started to become very insecure and cried every time she saw her mom.  Everyone told her mom it would just pass, and to stick to it. The mom didn't feel right about it, but continued to only nurse her toddler when her brother wasn't nursing.  To make a longer story a little shorter, the mom ended up giving in to her instincts and nursed both of her "babies" whenever they wanted.  This meant her toddler nursed every time her newborn did.. wow!  Eventually (3 weeks) the toddler was emotionally ready and secure enough to not need her mother's breast for comfort.  She is still nursing both babies and said she wishes she would have stuck with her instinct all along.  She said she wouldn't change it for the world and is so glad to be tandem nursing.  It gave me such motivation to continue nursing Leah.  I know Leah is not ready to give up her "milky".  I am proud of her for bearing with me during the pregnancy and I am proud of myself for sticking with it.  Leah is such a happy and healthy little girl.  Knowing I had a lot to do with it just makes it that much better!  15 going on 16 months of nursing... and not planing to stop anytime soon!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!