Horrible Night

It's just after midnight and Simon has been up for over four hours. I started trying to put him to sleep at 9:40. He fussed and squirmed and wouldn't even hear me out. I've since tried to get him to sleep just about every 15 to 20 minutes and he just screams and cries. This is not the evening I had in mind. He just screamed for ten minutes alone in his crib. I'd go in every few minutes and pat him, but that did no good. He was just hysterical. He should have gone to sleep 2 1/2 hours ago. He's overtired and I cannot figure out how to get him to calm down and sleep.

Michael is walking him right now. Uh-oh--he's screaming again. This is a nightmare.

It's now 12:15 a.m. He's fallen asleep upright in Michael's arms. Now what?

Okay, it's 12:55 a.m. He's awake again. He slept for 30 minutes, then woke up screaming. He's all smiles now, though. Silly baby, you should be asleep. You know you're still super tired. Oh, this is going to be a more annoying than usual night/morning.

2:30 a.m. I've been trying to get Simon to go to sleep again since 1:45 a.m. He shows no interest in my plans. His schedule is totally ruined and I have a terrible feeling he won't be sleeping very much for awhile. All my inner resources are spent. I've got nothing left.

2:50 a.m. Nope. I'm going to get hysterical. He won't stop squirming and kicking. I wish I could just let him cry and cry in his crib, but I can't do that.

Some Songs

Here are some songs Michael has made up for Simon. In times of fussiness, when we're desperate to prevent screaming and crying, Michael just sings whatever pops into his head. Thank God I'm there to write it all down. (I feel I must point out that Michael and I know the songs are dumb; that's the point!)

BUTTS & BUTTS
Butts and butts and 3 and 4.
Butts and butts and shut the door.

Butts and butts and 4 and 5.
How many butts are still alive?

1 butt, 2 butts, triple butts, 10.
How many butts are there in the end?

Butts in the chair.
Butts uptown and
Butts in the underwear.

Don't get your butt in a rutt.
Don't get any cuts on your butt.

Butts for mutts.
Butts for pups.

If you want to stay alive,
Better hope your butt can thrive.

SHAKE THAT BUTT
Shake that butt and
Just go crazy like a nut.

BUDDIES
Lots of buddies and
Havin' friends!

BIG CABOOSE
I've got a big caboose
And I'm on the loose!

LITTLE CUTIE
You're a little cutie,
With a master booty,
Doing double duty.

Diaper Mishaps

It's amazing. Somehow Simon frequently manages to bypass the diaper and pee up his side. I don't understand it. Whenever I put on a new diaper, I make sure to position the "little guy" downward. And still the diaper bypass usually happens at least once a day. Last night at 10:30 he peed all over his new swing. This morning at 6:30 he peed all over the right side of his onesie and the left side of me. This afternoon at 1:45 I found his onesie soaking again. Help!

Can this be normal?

Not So Bad

It's midnight and Simon has still barely been fussy. He just doesn't want to sleep. He's been up for 2 1/2 hours now, and I can't get him to sleep. This isn't even his bedtime; it's naptime. He's a night owl, like Michael and me. But I like to nap more than he does.

So Far So Good

Simon's been so great today. Hardly any crabbiness so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Every 15 Minutes

Simon's seriously crying and screaming pretty much all day. It's the screaming that is most disturbing. He's almost 4 months old. I don't know what to do. Everything seems to be getting worse. There's no obvious reason for him to be so miserable. He can be calm for maybe 15 minutes at a time, and then he's back to crying. I really can't stand it anymore. I guess we're both miserable.

Fun Times

Michael got Simon this jumper thingy. He's not quite old enough (or big enough) for it, but he likes it. We just put him in it for the first time tonight.

Colic

Simon's doctor is obsessed with gas/colic. Why doesn't he sleep well? Why does he need my nipple in his mouth to sleep? Why does he scream? Have I considered gas?

• I should keep a log of the foods I eat to watch for things that may be irritating Simon's tummy.
• I should try mylicon drops.
• I should try putting his infant seat on the dryer while its in use.
• I should try taking him for a ride in the car.

And so on and so on. Not helpful. I don't think gas is the problem, but that's all the doctor's got.

About That Growth Spurt

On February 14, Simon was 23 1/4 inches long and weighed 10 lbs, 10 ounces.
On February 29, Simon was over 24 inches long and weighed just over 11 lbs.

Both times he was weighed and measured in the doctor's office. I think this qualifies as a spurt.

You Know You're In Trouble...

Simon and I were out checking the mail (nothing good, so I left it in the mailbox). This was an activity I had saved up, as it's a powerful tool in my arsenal. You don't want to waste a mail check too early in the day, am I right? So, we went out for our postal adventure, and then I had my second brilliant idea of the day: I should check Simon's diaper for signs of recent activity. I sneaked a quick peek inside. I got really excited. "Yay, it's time for a diaper change!" Seriously excited. Honestly. I had discovered a way to kill another two minutes--woo hoo! It wasn't just an intellectual or theoretical excitement; I felt the thrill deep within my soul.

Now what?

He's Still Got It

Simon was rolling over from his tummy to his back before he was a month old, but then, about a month or so ago, he stopped doing it. Michael and I figured he either forgot how or was too big for his early technique to work. Then last week he did a nice rollover, and Michael and I wondered if it was a fluke. But he just did it again today, so he hasn't dropped the ball. Way to go, Simon!

On A Lighter Note

Here is the cutie from earlier today:

Okay, It's Probably Not Teething

According to the information I've been reading, teething pain starts about 4 days before a tooth comes in. Well, Simon has been drooling, chewing, and irritable for weeks and there's no sign of a tooth. Nice. Then why is he so nuts?

I finally got him to take another nap, and he woke up after 20 minutes. He was on my breast the whole time. He just couldn't stay asleep. Help!

Let's see what What To Expect The First Year has to say about the fourth month:

"Someone's all smiles this month--and as a result, chances are you'll be, too. Your infant is just entering what might be considered the golden age of babyhood--a period of several enchanted months when good humor reigns during the day, sleep is happening at night, and independent mobility has yet to be achieved."

We don't resemble that remark.

Maybe Next Time

After resisting several attempts to get him to nap, Simon finally fell asleep in the swing at 6:08. At 6:20 I figured maybe I'd have enough time to get some exercise, but just as I started, Simon woke up crying at 6:26. An 18-minute nap! Then I tried to nurse him back to sleep until 6:45, but he just squirmed and squirmed. It looks like today is going to be worse than yesterday.

A Fun Schedule

Yesterday was fun. It went like this:

3:45 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. - Simon sleeps with me

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Simon sleeps in his swing

1:00 p.m. - 2:25 p.m. - I nurse him and he goes back to sleep

4:40 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Simon and I nap (1 hour, 20 minutes)

7:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. - Simon and I nap (30 minutes)

10:15 p.m. - 10:45 p.m. - Simon and I nap (30 minutes)

12:55 a.m. - 1:35 a.m. - Simon and I nap (40 minutes)

4:30 a.m. - Simon finally goes to sleep.


Today is looking no better. I'm sure sick of napping. Most of the time I don't actually sleep, which makes it even more boring. I really don't know how much longer I can do this. I have no energy. He's supposed to be up for no longer than an hour and a half between naps. How intensely tedious! Right now he's not interested in his second nap, and frankly, neither am I. But it must be done. I'll give it another try.