Twenty-One Weeks Old

I began writing this blog yesterday as Ella was 40 minutes into a cry-it-out session. This was the first time I had let it go beyond 10 minutes. But I decided to try it since she sometimes will fall asleep but wake up a few minutes into her sleep. We are trying to figure out if she is starting to make the connection between crying and then I get to snuggle with Mom/Dad again or not. I'm not sure if I am a true advocate of the cry-it- out (at least at this age), but I guess I wanted to try it at least once.

The book I am reading, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, says to not let her cry more than an hour during nap time. But knowing Ella, I have a feeling she will make it the full hour crying. Luckily, according to the book:

"...all evidence accumulated by a wide array of child health specialists concludes that "protest" crying at bedtime will not cause permanent emotional or psychological problems. In plain fact, the contrary is true.

...Please don't fear when your child cries in protest at night, because she is being allow to "practice" to fall asleep, that this crying will later cause emotional or psychological problems. By itself, it will not.

Let me be very clear about this. I am talking only about children over the age of four months and only during normal day and night sleep times. During these periods, emotional problems do not develop if parents ignore protest crying."

Fortunately, Ella is not a screamer-crier which made it a little easier to listen to. And so the hour did come and I went and changed Ella since she did not stop crying and she doesn't appear to be phased by the fact that she just cried for almost an hour.

So now the question is, do I try it again? The thing is, that for the most part, Ella is a good sleeper. It usually does not take us long to get her down. And when she does wake up, it usually only takes us less than 5 minutes for us to get her back to sleep. The most we've ever needed to do that is twice in one sleep period. However, is our soothing her not teaching her to sooth herself to sleep? Maybe I'll wait until she is 5 months old to try again.

Update: I did try it again today - not purposely - I had to make a phone call and she began crying. And after maybe 25 minutes Ella stopped crying. But now there is this overwhelming guilt I have heard about. I just want to go in and check but know that it is exactly what I shouldn't do. This is when a video monitor would be great! Oh no, 10 minutes have passed and now she's crying again. Now I feel that I am too far into another cry-it-out to go rush in. Oooo...the dilemma's of parenting...what to do, what to do, what to do?

So what did I do - I went in about 5 minutes later because it had been about 1 hour since I had put her down. Fortunately, Ella being such a good baby she really doesn't get crabby without her naps. But I know sleep is essential to brain and body development growth so that's why I am trying so hard to figure all this sleep stuff out.

Enough with the sleep stuff. Last week was a busy week medically-wise! We spent most of both Wednesday and Thursday at Women & Children's Hospital. Wednesday Ella had an appointment with the developmental pediatrician. Upon evaluation she is in the 97th percentile for cognitive growth and the 75th percentile for motor skills (mainly because she was laid up for 30 days in the NICU). Although she does not necessarily need PT (physical therapy - for the big muscles) and OT (occupational therapy - for the small muscles) anymore, I told the doctor I would like to continue for now at least.

After the appointment and after being fed, Ella and I visited with a few of her nurses (Sharon (left), Chris (right), and Peggy) and even saw one of her favorite doctors, Dr. Pop Pop, (aka Dr. Robinson) who just can't get enough of her!!!

Ella then fell asleep for a much needed nap. Therefore, with Ella snuggled in the MetroWrap, I took a walk down Elmwood stopping in a few shops and finally for a piece of pizza and a pop at Casa di Pizza. We then headed back to the hospital to have her monthly blood work done. And this time Ella did not cry at all as she had four vials of blood drawn. At first I was proud and then I got sad because it probably means she is actually getting used to being pricked!

After the blood draw we stopped by the midwifery office so that Martha, the midwife who delivered Ella could finally see her out of the hospital (left photo). Now, since Ella has made such a wonderful recovery it is not uncommon that people 'fuss' over Ella when they initially see her. But I don't think I have seen someone fuss over Ella as much as Martha did! I can't tell you how much we love the midwives!!! They have made us feel so special from the first visit we had with them back in January! More than once has Martha, Sarah (right photo), or Elaine taken the time to just sit and chat with us...for over an hour...at an appointment, in the hospital, and today! If you are looking for a yearly gynecologist, I couldn't recommend them enough (they don't only deliver babies)!!!

On Thursday we headed back to Children's for a hematology/oncology appointment with Dr. Ambrusko. Fortunately, all of Ella's blood labs look good for this month - yea!! He just loves Ella and she smiles and smiles at him! Mom and I then went to Cafe Trattoria on Bryant for a very yummy lunch out on the patio!

Other than that Ella is busy growing up. She weighed 12 pounds 6 ounces last Wednesday and was measured at 2 feet tall!!! She is talking more and more which includes letting out some good screams too now! With her growing bigger we decided to set up the high chair so she can sit like a 'big girl' at the dinner table with us. Previously we would just prop her car seat up on a chair. The highchair kinda dwarfs her, but Ella is strong enough to sit in it with it slightly reclined.

Although we have not started feeding her (our pediatrician said we can wait until 6 months) we are letting her suck on 'pure' food (nothing salted or seasoned). Dr. Ambrusko even stated that she doesn't only need to start with fruits and veggies. So we have even let her suck on a piece of chicken (sorry Aunt Alysia). She seems to enjoy the new tastes as she doesn't spit the items out.

Okay, I could probably keep writing, but if I am going to post this by my Tuesday deadline I better stop now. I hope to get another blog out next week. But if I do not it is because I am too busy packing and preparing for our two weeks in California!!!! Watch out Maya, Zachary, DJ, and April...here we come!!!!

Keep the donations coming!!!!!