Yesterday was Kinsey's 5th birthday. We had a great birthday party for her on Saturday with a lot of friends from school and church. One of the things that we're trying to do with her is still make her feel a unique and special part of the family, while understanding that having a baby brother is going to take some attention away from her. Up to this point, she's dealing with this new arrival so well. Because Connor's weight dropped so much after birth, we are needing to supplement Sheryl with some formula and Kinsey loves feeding him his bottle so much. It's almost like she has her own little doll to play with. Except this one cries. A lot.
One of my biggest frustrations with babies is their crying. And Connor was especially fussy last night. The frustrating thing for me is when I can't get him to stop crying. I'm a guy, which means I'm goal oriented. Baby is crying? Do what it takes to stop the crying. Rock him. Pat his bottom. Walk around while rocking and patting the bottom. Change him. Burp him. Do the bicycle thing with his legs to work out any other gas. None of it worked. And I was getting tired and frustrated and more tired. Sheryl finally told me to just put him in his crib, let him cry, (Kinsey was asleep and will generally sleep through things like trains and 5 megaton explosions beside her bed) and go to bed (this was about midnight last night). Which makes me a bit frustrated with myself. I wanted to calm him down and soothe him. And I just didn't. It's one of those things that I need to get over, but I'll be glad when he doesn't cry as much.
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6 comments:
I can feel myself gritting my teeth. I remember that feeling of frustration. It will pass. And putting them in their bed is the thing to do. He will be ok. You will too.
It will pass, remember? And you'll forget how bad it was! Well, mostly.
Get a kiddie plastic baseball bat and hit your bed for awhile. (Make sure Sheryl's not in it first.)
This, too, shall pass. Luke, our youngest will be one on Saturday and I would give anything for those baby days. But there are reasons they don't stay newborns forever. Hang in there. It will be over before you know it and you will be wishing for those days. Well maybe that is going a bit too far :-)
Clarissa, who told you about me and my bat?
I love that Clarissa!
Congrats on the baby boy, Phil. And props to you for being willing to stay up into the wee hours of the morning with him.
We had a very tough time putting Grace to sleep until we read Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp and bought the Miracle Blanket. The first helped us put Grace to sleep in a fraction of the time, and the second helped her stay asleep. Both were very satisfying for our results-oriented nature and it's meant we don't have to leave them behind, which is heartbreaking for the parent and the child.--Kenneth.
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