Pacifiers: Part 2

Yesterday morning was the official start of no pacifiers for Abbey. She screamed for about 45 minutes for her morning nap (don't worry, I went in to calm and reassure her about every 10 minutes). She finally fell asleep and slept about 1 1/2 hours. Afternoon nap wasn't quite as bad. She was more like whimpering for about 30 minutes. At one point she pooped, so I changed her and she went to sleep soon after. She slept a solid 2 1/2 hours. Bedtime was what I was most worried about. I debated whether to give her the pacifier or not, but finally decided cold turkey was the way to go. She screamed for about 12 minutes. I went in and picked her up, sang to her like I always do and laid her down. She went right to sleep, at about 7:30 p.m. Through the night was what had me worried. Thankfully she slept all night and woke up just a tad earlier than normal, at 5:45 a.m. The phone rang and I think that could have been what woke her.

This morning for her nap I did our normal routine: nursed her, sang to her, and laid her down. She went right to sleep with out a fuss. She is attempting her afternoon nap right now, and is fussing a little. Often she poops right before her afternoon nap, so I will go in soon and check on her, change her diaper if necessary, and then I assume she'll go right to sleep.

Anne is doing better at night, but she did wake up 2 times in the night last night. The first was about 1 a.m. She had turned off the heat in her room and it was only 57 degrees. Trent turned it back on and got her tucked back in. She woke up 1 other time and after I went in and asked her to get back in bed she did, and didn't get up again until morning.

Pacifiers

Last night I vowed any children I have after Abigail will not use a pacifier. I am so tired of waking up 2-3 times in the night because it fell out of her crib.

We're working on both of the girls sleeping habits. Anne never took a pacifier and I was very grateful for that. She has long been a good sleeper, but recently has been getting out of bed several times before bed and in the middle of the night. We are getting tough and cracking down on Anne getting up out of bed. Anne never has trouble going right to sleep at nap time. Starting tonight we're telling Anne that we will not be coming back in the room unless it is a real emergency (like blood everywhere). Unfortunately, she has gotten sneaky and will tell us that she needs to go poop just so she can get out of bed.

Abbey goes back and forth between sleeping all night or getting up several times. Last night she woke up at 11 p.m. (needed the pacifier), 2 a.m. (needed the pacifier), 2:30 a.m. (I don't know what was the matter) and I let her "cry it out". I would go back in her room and reassure her about every 10 minutes, but this lasted until after 3 a.m. As soon as we get Abbey sleeping a little better, the pacifier is going to go. I believe I'll start weaning her from the pacifier during naps first, starting tomorrow.

Oh the things you have no clue about until you have children of your own. And they are each so different. . . I'll keep you updated on our screaming/sleep levels.

TV vs. Books/Crafts/etc.

*Grandma reading to Anne.* *Uncle Todd reading to Abbey.*

Anne is 2 years, 3 months old, and until recently has never watched "TV". Around Christmas she started watching the old-fashioned Rudolph on YouTube. We have one television in our home. It is set up in the basement with VCR and DVD capabilities. Trent and I watch about 1 movie a year. I have long scorned children watching TV, as I feel that books are a better form of "entertainment" and they get more involved with books than staring at a TV or computer screen.
However, I was having some difficulties putting Baby Abbey down for her naps because Anne would want me to read her books while I was rocking and nursing Abbey. Normally that is not a problem, but when I am trying to settle Abigail for a nap, it doesn't really work well. I started putting on segments of Disney movies from YouTube. (Bambi, Fox & Hound, and Robin Hood are Anne's favorites). They are typically 8-10 minute segments which give me enough time to get Abbey rocked and settled for her nap. This also works
well for brushing and braiding Annie's hair.
I can see how easy it would be for me (or any stay-at-home-mom) to just turn on the TV or put a movie in for their child. It keeps them quiet, and you have time to do something on your own. However, I'm not willing to allow my child to be raised by Disney. Today, when Abbey went down for her morning nap, I used the time with Anne to make Valentine cards for her little friends. She painted, glued, colored and used scissors. Would it have been easier for me to just let her watch movies? Sure, but how much more is she learning by being involved in a hands-on craft than staring at our computer screen. She has years of being on the computer ahead of her.
So when it comes up in conversation with other SAHMs and I say we don't have a TV I see the look of surprise on their faces. It may not be for everyone, but I find it works well for us. There are days when I wish we had it for watching the Olympics, the Super Bowl, etc. but in general I'm thankful that we don't watch TV. It's so nice to cuddle up with the little ones with a big pile of books (though I do get sick of hearing my own voice from time to time). :)
How do other moms do it?

****Of course, I posted this yesterday, and last night Anne got sick (vomiting, diarrhea, you know, the works). So what does she want to do today?? Lay on my bed and watch Robin Hood. Of course I caved for the poor little dear didn't feel well! She did want some books read to her, but mostly just to be snuggled.****