Sleep, We Don't Need No Stinkin' Sleep!

The first month was full of many new experiences and worries. Gavin kept us busy with many feedings and diaper changes. Thankfully, the rush of the first four weeks has settled down into somewhat of a routine. The downside is lack of bloggable material, except for pooping...and who really wants the low down on that? Besides, I want to leave some element of surprise for the first-timers.

The second month is when I started doubting whether I could really hack parenting a newborn or not. The lack of sleep from the first month caught up with us. To make things a bit more miserable, Gavin began getting more fussy especially at night after eating. The poor guy had acid reflux. Fortunately, we were able to nip that problem in the bud before it became a serious issue. The damage was already done for Kiersten and I, though, with the interrupted sleep continuing through the fifth week. I have always felt sleep is overrated and could take it or leave it. I can function on a few hours, but even I am beginning to cherish sleep when it comes in numbers greater than one can count in a foreign language. Kiersten, on the other hand, is another story...a dark and sad story when it comes to sleep deprivation. When I asked her what she would like for her birthday, she responded, "10 straight hours of sleep." No kidding...dead serious...I am giving her the night off at a hotel.

The sun does come up, the new day does dawn, and it is good. As we approached Gavin's due date, we had educated ourselves concerning various baby-calming techniques (a.k.a., Happiest Baby). I felt adequately prepared and armed with enough strategies and tactics to handle the most severe baby meltdown. But, as usual, there is always something new to learn. Enter stage right, the Miracle Blanket. Gavin has become too strong for the standard Karp swaddle and busts out of the tightest wraps like a mini Houdini -- he even has Criss Angel beat. The new method (demonstration) is akin to a baby straight jacket, locking his arms in place (P.C. for "pinning his arms in place"). Hey, it makes him happy -- he sleeps longer when he cannot get his hands out to fidget. The right tool for the job when you need it...that's what it's all about.

So about that new day dawning...Overnight, the new swaddle method helped Gavin sleep longer which also seemed to have the added benefit of improving his mood when feeding him. We still have to get up a couple times at night, but we feel more rested that we have in weeks. Gavin must have needed more sleep as well because today he pulled out a bunch of new tricks that have us ooing and ahhing. Kiersten is fairly sure he smiled at her purposefully, he began responding to tickles today, and he cooed at me for the first time. The extra interaction is a great reward for making it through the last couple weeks. I hope Gavin will be generous with his new found skills.