HELP!

I am in desperate need of advice for baby sleeping habits. It's causing some conflict between Justin and me because we have differing views, and we are trying to find a middle ground that works for both of us and especially for Caden. Here's the scoop:

Caden slept in the bassinet in our room for the first 6 weeks of his life. He woke up often to nurse, which I would do awake and then put him back down. This got exhausting. In Wisconsin I started putting him in bed next to me after nursing to limit my movement and awake time (once I'm awake, I take forever to fall back asleep). Once home, I tried nursing in the side-lying position in bed. I had tried it once before and couldn't get him to latch on right. This time it worked wonders: we both fell back asleep immediately, and that is how we became co-sleeping--more specifically, bed-sharing--parents.

As much as I love cuddling with my baby, I need space! No matter how far away I push him, he finds my armpit--yes, armpit--again and smacks, kicks, and chafes me in his sleep. A queen bed is only so big for 3 people, especially when the littlest one has an armpsan longer than a gorilla's. We want to transfer him to his crib now, at least for the first part of the night since he still nurses often and I don't want to walk a marathon every night.

Question #1: How do we teach him to sleep in his crib without letting him cry it out? Although I am not against it, I don't think it's the best way and I would rather try other methods first. Justin wants to do it, especially since our pediatrician suggested it (her oldest slept with them until kindergarten). Just today Justin and I compromised that Caden can sleep with us until he is six months and then I would do it Justin's way, so I have until then to figure something better out.

There's more: Caden likes to breastfeed to fall asleep. I don't mind except I can't do it all the time. It also makes him spit up more since he's eating when he's not hungry.

Question #2: How can I get him to fall asleep on his own when I can't breastfeed? He won't take a pacifier.

It doesn't end there. When I put him down once he's asleep, he usually wakes up. Lately I've been putting him in the swing in the off-mode, push it, and let it stop on its own. The problem is the swing is on loan and the owner is having her second baby in May. The past couple days I put Caden in the crib to get him accustomed to it, but he woke up after 20 minutes tops. If he falls asleep in the car, he wakes up about 10 minutes after we get home. As for nighttime, I'm starting to think that maybe most of the time he nurses at night for comfort, not for food. I would really like to stay asleep longer!

Question #3: How can I help Caden stay asleep? It's our biggest problem right now and solving it would help with the others, I think.

Finally, I am trying to get him on a schedule and find myself facing the above problems, making it difficult to establish a routine. I'm almost positive 10 a.m. should be his first nap time. His second depends on if he falls asleep at 10 or 11 and for how long (usually an hour, sometimes longer, lately shorter). He usually naps the longest (2 to 2 1/2 hours) around 3 or 4, but lately at 5, which pushes bedtime later. I want him in bed at 7:30, but with all our struggles it's been between 9:30 and 10:30.

Question #4: How can I get a consistent schedule with the above problems?

I know I'm asking a lot, so I really appreciate your help!

Trip to Wisconsin

Wow, I hate when I'm behind in blogging, especially when I have important stuff to write about. Here goes my attempt to catch up:

In mid-October we went to Wisconsin for Justin's brother's (Adam's) wedding. We had debated whether or not to go because of finances and Caden, who was less than two months old at the time. Although we are now paying for it financially, I do not regret going.

Caden traveled really well. He fell asleep on all the flights and was quiet for the brief time he was awake. He also slept almost the whole car trips to Nauvoo and back, only waking up for feedings. I had to pump in the car a few times (the rental had an outlet!) and even fed him a couple times while driving. Bad mom, I know.

The night before the wedding our family and the bride's family had dinner in Nauvoo. Justin and I met our new sister-in-law, Kirsten, for the first time. She loved Caden! The next morning we witnessed the wedding in the Nauvoo Temple, performed by the bride's grandpa. We left right away for home afterward because Justin's sister Jessica was sick.

Friday, Justin and I went on a date. I gave in to Justin's request to see the Packers Hall of Fame and admit I had a good time. We got sushi afterward.

The reception was Saturday at the golf course Adam works at. The same band played that played at our WI reception, but the singer was different, and more fun, I think. Of course, I danced as much as I could, which wasn't a lot considering most of the music was polka or really hick stuff. Caden was passed around and surprisingly fell asleep through the booming music and noise.

Sunday was my first time back at church, but we only made it to sacrament meeting. Later that day, Justin's Aunty Linn threw me my third baby shower. Great turnout and lots of gifts. Man, Caden is loved! Monday the whole family went out to dinner at the family favorite, Koreana, and Tuesday we went home. We had a great time and was glad the whole family got to meet Caden.

Funny story: Justin was telling his Aunt Erin how stinky Caden is. She said breastfed babies usually don't stink badly and smell on the sweeter side and asked to smell his diaper. Justin put Caden's bum near her face, and right on cue, Caden farted! I didn't get to see it happen, but I can imagine how innocent Caden's face must have looked.

My Impossible Christmas Wish List

If it were possible to have anything I wanted, this would be my Christmas wish list:

1. A full night's sleep. I envy all you people who get one. Don't take it for granted!
2. A clean house. I never seem to catch up.
3. Zero crickets--dead or alive--in my house.
4. Cooler weather. Just when I was enjoying the rain, it stopped. After one day. Now it's back to too warm. Not that I'm complaining too much, cuz I know some of you would trade places with me, but it's winter, for goodness' sake! I've gotten used to having white Christmases for the last three years.
5. The Ford to be permanently fixed. Selling it would bring in nothing. 

Diaper Dilemma

I need diaper advice from all you disposable-diaper users. I think Caden would sleep for longer periods during the night if it weren't for wet (cloth) diapers waking him up. He is so sensitive to wet diapers, no matter how padded, that he fusses in his sleep. It's so bad he has a bald spot in the back of his head from chafing it against the bed. And it wakes me up too. I change him to stop his fussing, and he wakes up. I nurse him back to sleep because it's easy for both of us, but it only makes him pee more and wake himself up trying to poop around 4 a.m. We have used disposable diapers at night before and had the same problem. What is a good diaper to use at night so that we all can get more sleep? Thanks, ladies!

The Tortoise and the Hare

I feel like the tortoise from "The Tortoise and the Hare"--I am way behind. I have three important things (hares) to blog about: the trip to Wisconsin for a wedding, Caden's baby blessing, and Thanksgiving. I never have time to do it because Caden only lets me blog in spurts. That's why I've been giving more time and attention to my other blogs instead--less work. Plus, I still have so many photos to upload to the computer, sort through, and post on Facebook. Both grandparents are getting impatient, and rightly so. Well, who knows when those things will get done. For now, I will just write about the little things while Caden is still napping. Just remember, the tortoise does eventually overtake the hare!

Yesterday, we finally put up the tree and decorations. It's not much, but it's nice. Caden really liked the Christmas lights. Caden, by the way, is getting bigger and cuter (is that possible?) every day. He tries to sit up more when I sit him on the couch. He has the strength but not the balance. He likes to suck his thumb when he takes a break from sucking his whole hand, sometimes both hands at once. He loves the songs "La Araña Pequeñita" ("The Eensy-Weensy Spider") and "If You're Happy and You Know It" (half in Spanish, half in English). He's getting better at tummy time and I think will start rolling over soon if we can get him to lie down long enough without crying.

I took him to the doctor a week ago because I thought he might be colicky: he would cry every day around 7 p.m. but only for an hour. The pediatrician checked him out to rule out other possibilities and decided it was colic or acid reflux. I think he does have some acid reflux, but I think I can rule out colic because the last few days he hasn't cried at his normal late evening hour. What was different? He got a long nap that day! I think when he doesn't sleep long enough during the day, he is extremely exhausted and cranky by evening, the time we start getting him ready for bed. He was trying to tell us he already wanted to be in bed and therefore cried until he finally fell asleep. I hope that's the end of that!