Night Time Parenting?

 

We have always been strong believers in co-sleeping and for us that means night time reassurance, comfort and cuddles.  Around age two all of our children have been interested in having their own beds and generally will start the night out there. Our little Hannah now 2.5 goes to bed at 7pm in her own bed and joins me in my bed around 1:30-2:00am, it's like clock work. It's always been important to us that our children know we are there for them 100% anytime of the day. I have never been one to let a baby/child cry in the night because crying tells me there is a need and that need should try to be met. For our bigger children it means one of us moving into their bed until they are comfortable and sleeping soundly. Sometimes we wake up there in the morning sometimes we make it back to our own bed. I personally think one should keep a bed open to children as long as possible.  If they want to be close to you, why deny the opportunity for connecting with them?  Growing up can be scary and wonderful and challenging. 

Childhood is such a short time and being open to just being there and being available gives children such a comfort.  

 

  This is one of those topic's that get mothers all wound up and that isn't my intention but more to share on what works for us.

For most of human history a baby has slept with his or her mother, or perhaps both parents. 

It was not even until 200 years ago cultures began to construct dwellings with more than one room. The majority of people around the world still live in one -room shelters where all activities take place.

50 out of 136 cultures evaluated by anthropologist John Whiting found mother slept with child and father slept in another place.

Wood Season

It's wood season, so our Sunday afternoons have been Chris and the older four out in the bush falling trees and chopping wood.  I think we are safe to say we are done (9 cords later), Chris thought he may go get one more load but then we decided to rip apart our main bathroom and reno it before the babies come.

The older four are super strong and focused, they help Chris a lot! Austin worked at the stored this summer and bought himself a good axe, he also has been helping another household chop and stack.

This past six months has been a challenge for me to be still. I look around my little homestead and itch to do something. Yet at the same time I don't have the energy to get anything done. It's been interesting to sit back and really watch things change and my children grow.

 

 

 

30 weeks, night sweats, BH contractions, acid reflux and no sleep..

              It feels so good to say I’m 30 weeks (31 tomorrow), I know I could have 7+ weeks left but I also know that they could come in 6 weeks. Either way I feel like I’m at the end and it feels good to say they will be here soon.  I think we are also pretty sure on these two little guys names.

Things are going extremely well! As uncomfortable as I am - I am so thankful for these little boys health.  I had a growth scan today and Baby A is no longer breech but transverse  his brother is head down. Baby B is in front and A is by my back, I had noticed A's movement had slowed down lots and B had increased but it was just positioning.   They are face to face with each other and there is still lots of time for them to make the shift head down.
They are growing like weeds!!  Today baby A weighed 3-15 and B was 3-11 so they are staying nice and close in weight!

Acid Reflux….. I’ve figured out that if I stop eating by 6pm each night I can go to bed and be fine but  I have been having some issues with my heart rate racing which is from two things, the weight inside is crushing a main blood supply when I am laying in different positions and my blood sugar is dropping in the night.  It has been recommend that I snack a couple times in the middle of the night. I have been cutting up some cheese and crackers around 2am and a glass of milk.
Because I need to sleep on an incline, Chris got the boot out of our bed. :( my mound of pillows started to take over. 

Night Sweats......  I have always been hot pregnant but this is something I have never experienced!   I’m waking up every 2 hrs to go the bathroom and I’m covered, literally hair wet and all!! Windows are open all night I can't handle blankets while the rest of the house is adding blankets to their beds. So to add to my lack of sleep I get to add this to one of the lovely reasons why it’s so hard to sleep with 2 people inside of me.

BH Contractions.... are starting to pick up more and more they are painless but sure can take my breath away. I start weekly non-stress test next week, the appointments are adding up now. I am having an

 u/s every 4 weeks unless something changes, weekly non-stress tests at the hospital, OBGYN appointments, midwife, and the chiropractor. It's a lot of driving as I have not been able to make any of these happen on the same day.

I do want to praise my kids, because they really are doing awesome. Yes we have our bad days but I couldn’t be happier with the way they are helping out and being understanding. I lay in bed at night and my mommy guilt will get me but I truly believe even though they are watching too much TV and don’t have a change of environment much, their character is being built by the sacrifices they are making while I’m not able to do everything I normally do. I can look back at our journey so far and see all of us growing in so many ways and that excites me. I catch myself just looking at the kids and falling in love with them everyday.  I would love to find a mothers helper but living out of town makes that difficult.  Chris has completely took over shopping and cooking, I knew God had a reason Chris took the culinary arts program. :) I am spoilt! He cooks way better than I ever could.

Look at that sweet face.

September

                                              
 Basic goals I have for myself this September.

1. No crying in public. Hormones are a wonderful crazy thing.
2. Stretch, warms baths, and have wonderful husband massage legs before bed. (Maybe this should be Chris's goal list?) Seriously restless legs are about to make me nutty.

     3.Remind Chris to grab another blanket because those windows are staying open! I'm kidding these are not my true goals. Well kind of they are but you know what I mean.

 I absolutely love September, it brings back focus and feelings of renewed dedication to the relationships within my home.  It's been interesting being less mobile and somewhat really amazing how God works everything together.  For example husbands that surprise their wife with pumpkin spiced lattes are worth keeping. ;)

My five school aged children currently sit with me all day working on their books bonds between siblings are deepening as we just *be* together.  God is good even when I can feel discouraged I am reminded that he has called me to this task. My goal for this beautiful September is to not grow weary, but to be thankful that I get to participate in another glorious season of my children's growth.
Homeschooling wasn't just an educational choice for us it was a dedication to raise up the very souls He has trusted us with. Prayer..  I have been trusted with much and with that comes anointing to do this WELL.  The enemy wants to steal from us and he will use anything even good things to get in the door,  He has anointed me to protect my children and how to recognize our enemy. The battle on our knees is so powerful.   All seven of them are growing and changing daily it's been a beautiful thing to watch unfold. From overcoming fears, to grasping a math concept, the softness of their spirit to comfort someone who is hurting, learning how to deal with different personalities,  the whispers "I love you" before bed. Those late night talks my teens are having with Dad, my heart sings during these times.