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From a Room Away

This happened way sooner than I had anticipated.

The plan was to have Haley sleep in the bassinet next to our bed until she was about 3 months.  I figured this would help me out in a couple ways.  First, I can lean over and check on her as much as my neurotic little heart desired.  Second, it would make breastfeeding easier since all I had to do is pick her up, feed her, and put her back into the bassinet.

Three weeks in and I am exhausted.  (Duh, what new parent isn't).  With her at my bedside, I wake up at every peep, every coo, every grunt.  So in addition to waking up every few hours to breastfeeding, I wasn't really sleeping much between feedings.  Last night, I was reaching the end of my ropes.  My husband had a busy weekend at work, so I hadn't gotten much time alone with him.  I was ready to regain just a bit of my sanity.  So I gave her the boot.

At 9 p.m., I fed her and put her in her own room in her own crib for the night.  I felt guilty when I walked into our bedroom and felt relieved that it was adults only.  I anticipated a long night of her fussiness with the change, but I was determined to enjoy a few minutes of peace with my husband.  I fell asleep a lot quicker than I thought I would and didn't wake up again until 2 a.m. when Haley was letting me know it was time for her to eat.

Breastfeeding was a lot easier too.  First, I was more awake because I was now required to get up and go across the hallway.  Second, my rocker is super comfy and easy to feed in.  Third, I actually enjoyed the opportunity to cuddle with my little girl without worrying about falling asleep with her in my arms.  I worried she wouldn't fall back asleep, but to my surprise she went back down in her crib--no problems.

A few hours later she was up again.  I got up, fed her and was back in bed.

Overall, it was a very successful night.  Hopefully tonight goes well too.  She seemed to get better rest in her crib so I am hoping the new transition will stick but parenthood is all about flexibility.

On another note, I'm off to the gym for the first time since I had the baby.  I gained over 60 lbs. during my pregnancy and enjoyed every calorie of it.  Now, for the consequences.  I'm already down 30 since my delivery  but I can tell the latter half will not be so easy.  This should be fun.

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