night two

I really noticed a change in O's behaviour yesterday - very cranky, but hey, I would be too if I had spent a night not doing what I've done every night of my life so far...falling asleep while suckling and drinking yummy milk.  So, I have gladly been more patient...and boy have I had to be!! Onto the second round...

Bedtime routine was started earlier, since last nap ended about 3:30 or 4 pm. Which worked out well, because O was ready for bed by 6:30!!  BUT - it took over TWO hours for him to 'unwind'.  Seriously testing my resolve...but I think I may be just ever so slightly more stubborn then him ;)  This time he played in the bed while I laid there and kept reminding him 'Nighty night, time to sleep'.  Even when I took away something he was playing with, his bedtime book, his soother, the bedsheet...he still wouldn't give in to sleep.  I nursed him twice during this process - but made sure to nurse him when he wasn't crying for it.  And yes, he cried. Intensely. But, not as long as the first night. And I had to walk around with him to calm him down, but I didn't nurse him again when he was upset.  I knew that it would only prolong the process. And once he was finished with his bout of crying, and I calmed him down by walking around, I lay him down DROWSY BUT AWAKE AND HE FELL ASLEEP!  His eyes were open, I said a prayer and told him out loud how proud I was of him, and then his breathing slowed and I looked at him again and he was asleep!  SUCCESS!  I couldn't believe it really. Then I checked again, yup, he was asleep!  Unfortunately not for long - but at least I had time to eat supper (at 9pm!) and get ready for bed and even sleep a little before he woke up.  I'm actually excited to see how he does tonight!  My hope is even less crying...