AND THE BEST MILESTONE OF ALL.....SLEEP

For as sweet and happy and content as Josiah is during the day, he is just as rotten at night.  In his first 12 months of life, he has slept through the night three times.  THREE.  That’s it.  Jeff and I have racked our brains for solutions.  I mean, after all, we have had 6 other children who slept through the night within the first couple months of life.  Surely we should know what we’re doing by now.

We've tried putting on his tummy, putting him to bed earlier, putting him to bed later, skipping naps, giving medicine, crying it out, patting him to sleep, giving more food, stopping nursing…and through it all he would wake multiple times.  I considered it a good night if he only woke up 3 times between 10 and 7.  I am exhausted, a bit worn down and probably a lot loopier than I realize.

This month we decided to try Josiah in a big, next to a sibling who we just assumed would be Joshua.  You see when Micah graduated from the crib, Joshua wanted Micah to sleep with him.  Then when Julia was ready, Micah moved to a twin bed and Julia took her place next to Joshua.  But Julia and Joshua have always had a special bond.  She LOVES her “Joshu-ee” and he adores her….and she doesn't want to move from his side.  For nearly a year Ginny and Julia have had a girl’s room with a queen bed that Ginny specifically requested so the two could sleep together, but Julia won’t sleep in it. 

 Here’s what I love about my kids: they love each other.  Both Micah and Tyler begged to have Josiah sleep with them, but since they are on top bunks, that wasn't an option.  Joshua desperately wanted to Josiah to join him and Julia, but there’s only so much room on a twin bed.  But Ginny, who also requested to have Josiah in her bed, was picked.

And would you believe that since Josiah has been next to Ginny, he slept through the night 7 nights in a row.

Unfortunately is was just seven nights.  With house guests and travel his new "good thing" got disturbed.  Hopefully he'll get back  on track next week at home.