CIO Method

The Cry It Out method is about to make me cry.

Ava has recently taken to a new type of cry. I would describe it as she wants the whole neighborhood to think she's dying. From the moment Ava was born I knew she had good lungs. She came out screaming and didn't stop for an hour. I have to say that made me a little nervous, but those screams don't even compare to the one that's currently going on at my house. About 45 minutes ago the blood curdling screams began. We waited about 12 min. before Dustin headed in there with a bottle. All was quiet for about 10 min. then they began again. Ava had downed 4 and 1/2 oz. pushed her bottle away and refused to let Dustin hold her by pushing with her arms and feet against him in true temper tantrum form. I have to say that is one of the most frustrating moments as a parent. All you want to do is help calm them and nothing is working. They don't want to be held, but they don't want you to put them down either. So, Dustin decided to turn on her slideshow/music star and lay her in her crib. We were going to have to let her cry it out. The doctor told me that it's always worse for the parents than it actually is for the child. I am currently thinking about asking her to write a note to all my neighbors explaining the same thing. Oh the joys of living in an apartment with a small child. I will not be surprised when someone knocks on the door and asks us to do something about our ridiculously loud infant, because the cannot sleep. However, my husband currently has no problem sleeping through the screams as he has been out since I asked him to hand me the laptop. So then again, maybe I'm the only one bothered by Ava's stifling screams.

Well it has now been about 29 minutes since Dustin laid Ava back down and all is quiet. Thanks for bearing with me through this last half hour...I couldn't have done it without you! We may see you again in a few hours...

Since the false alarm...

We all got the stomach flu...all I can say is UGH!! Dustin and Ava had it first and I quickly followed. On Wednesday night, I threw up over 30 times and ended up in the ER for dehydration and to stop my vomiting. Poor Ava was throwing up in the ER and it went all over Dustin of course. This was all happening around 3 am, so Dustin took Ava and drove around Edmond so she could sleep and I could get two bags of fluids pumped into me. By the time we got home it was 5:30 am and Ava wanted to be held nonstop. Luckily Dustin (who has only slept about 2 hours) stayed up with her until they both fell asleep on the couch. By about 10 am the throwing up had finally stopped. However, the other half of the stomach flu kicked in (we won't go into that though). Ava is just now getting over it. That is some yucky stuff!

On a happier note, Ava had her 9 month checkup today. The doctor said she's perfect...okay that's not true, but we think so. haha.

Here are her stats:

Weight: 17lbs 7 oz (she lost a little from the flu) (25%)

Height: 28 inches (50-75%)

Head: 44 1/2 cm (50-75%) Does that make her a little like a bobble head?

False Alarm...The sickness is not over!

I'm up to my armpits in puke!

Well actually I had puke from my chin to my toes, thanks to Ava and a nasty flu bug.

Dustin also has the flu bug to thank for his throwing up as well. This is the first time he's thrown up since he was a child!

My poor babies are sick once again. Praying that it's a 24 hour thing and everyone feels better tomorrow!

The last few weeks...

tested me as a mom and wife.

1. Ice Storm= don't go outside for several days.

2. Dustin gets sick=Ava gets sick

3. Ava's cold=RSV

4. RSV=Me panicking that my child is having a hard time breathing and coughs so hard she throws up!

(Luckily my mom was here to help!)

5. Me stressing=a sinus infection and the flu (in the same day) with a sick baby.

1-5=A long few weeks!

We are all feeling much better now and I am appreciating the sun today! I think we better make it to the park!

Chase and Cat food

Ava's new favorite game is chase. She takes off and then looks back to make sure you're going to chase her. It's so precious and she gets so excited. Sometimes she gets so excited she just bounces up and down and claps her hands. She especially likes it when she thinks dad is chasing her.

Ava also had her first piece of cat food. It didn't go over very well. She has been eating puffs and LOVES them, but since then she thinks she can eat whatever she wants. This includes carpet, paper, and now cat food. Yesterday, Ava snuck past me to the cat food bowl. This is the second time she's done this and I quickly caught her and emptied her hands of cat food. I shut the door so she couldn't get to it and put her back down. A few moments later, she starts coughing. Her hands are at her mouth and I immediately know she's put something in her mouth. I tried the finger swipe and failed to find anything. So I just picked her up and started patting her back, trying to get her to stop choking. Talk about scary!! I kept patting her back and she finally threw up all over me and what was in it...one piece of cat food! Yum. Luckily Kelsey was here to help with Ava while I changed from my puke drenched clothes. Awe the joys and worries and adventures of being a mother. I'm just glad she was okay!