CIO

CIO-That's how it's referred to on all the 'Mommy message boards' but to lay people it's "Cry It Out" which is also know as 'The Worst Hour New Parents Will Ever Endure". 

I've been considering it for a month. We had a serious team meeting last night.  We both did some research. Jesse suggested we start next Monday. I just couldn't put it off anymore. It's like a band aide, just rip it off. So after dinner tonight we did a bath.  For the first time Josie was playing in the bath. We let her hang out for a bit with her rubber ducky...like it was her 'last supper'.  Then PJ's on, new diaper(disposable for night time) and instead of her usual swaddle I put her in a sleep sack with her arms out. If we're doing this we might as well go all the way. I attempted to read some books while Jesse did some last minute googling. And then it was time.  We gave her kisses, told her we loved her, laid her in her crib, turned out the light and walked out.  She didn't know what happened. She was so confused. That's our fault. We don't have a very consistent bedtime routine(strike 1). As the stunned look turned to sad, and then to mad we settled in for a rough ride.  We did a version of CIO where we go back in after 5, 10, 15 minutes and every 15 minutes until she is asleep.  The first 15 minute interval was the worst. She fell asleep before the second 15 minutes were up. We survived...until she woke up 29 minutes later.  That was 6 minutes ago.  She's working an intermittent whimper. So we're staying out and closely watching the monitor-how did parents do this before video monitors?! 

Just another day with Jose.

Magic Music

Yesterday afternoon I was driving out to Greece for a haircut. Josie was in the backseat screaming. This is not typical for her, especially at nap time. She usually let's out a few cries, I pop in the soothie, and she falls asleep humming to herself. Well, not today!  I put on the ac, tried static on the radio...nothing was working. I figured she was hungry and I'd feed her when we got there. 

So since static wasn't working I put on the radio.  I might as well sooth myself.  Nothing enjoyable on the radio so I turned on the cd(yes my car is so old I still play CDs in it). It was a cd my sister, Ashley, made for my wedding day. It was just cued up to one of my favorite songs, actually a song Jesse and I were going to use at our wedding reception but we ran out of time.  As soon as it started, Josephine stopped crying! It was amazing! I could see her wide eyes in the rear view mirror. She wasn't smiling, she was thinking very hard, furrowed brow and all. I believe she was trying to figure out how this song was so familiar. Why you heard it in my belly, my dear!  

I repeated the song until we reached my hairdressers. At which point I fed her, she was hungry. I'll try to link it below. 

http://youtu.be/_Dl5VIUHwQw

Spring Break or Bust!

Aren't we the adventureous new parents?!  After much back and forth the final destination is Williamsburg VA. This was the longest, snowiest, coldest winter Rochester has seen in years. We just couldn't wait any longer for the sunshine.  (Many thanks to Rob and Linda Remis!)

We are shocked at how well things have gone so far!  Last night Jesse said that Jojo was amazing-and she was. We made it to Hagerstown, MD in about 7 hours. Not bad since google maps told us it would take 6.  This morning we took our time getting up and out-ok, ok, so last night was a little rough...Josie decided to sleep for the night starting at 6:00 pm and she was up and ready to play around 3:00 am.  We took turns with her for the rest of the night and we all got another hour of sleep in around 6-7.  So we are now settling in at our place at The Historic Powhatan Resort. Josie is napping and Jessie's friend Emily is on her way with her daughter, Lily. We are all very excited to see each other. 

Sincere apologies for taking such a long break from blogging...can't imagine what has been keeping me from it. ;-) Here are some Josie updates:

- weighing in at about 11 lbs and 23 inches long

-5 months actual, 3.5 adjusted

-showing off her smiles constantly with the exception of when I have my camera out

-her newest trick is blowing bubbles and raspberries

-sleeping 3-6 hours with the occasional of night of 7-8, napping is 30-50 minutes and we'll be working on that when we get back

I promise to return soon!

First leg of our journey

Pit stop in Williamsport, PA

Josie insisted on wearing her crab outfit while in Maryland. 

Great start to second day on the road