The kid did stay asleep, and then I had to wake him up to take him to school. Always my least favorite thing to do…

And he isn’t the only one who wasn’t ready to get up this morning. *yawn*

In addition to teething, we have a second theory about the kid. We think he might be having a growth spurt! (woooo!)

He refused his morning nap yesterday by screaming and thrashing around. Once I had tried everything else, I figured he might be hungry (I thought I might have heard his tummy rumble… but who knows. He was screaming awfully loud). Instead of whipping out the boobies, since I’m trying so desperately to stop doing that, I took him downstairs for a snack. Well, a snack was not enough. The kid ended up eating a full-blown, gigantic meal. And then he was happy and the screaming didn’t come back. So… yea… he was very, very hungry. No wonder he couldn’t sleep!

Side note: we may also just be going down to 1 nap a day.

And last night’s waking was violent and loud as well. I was trying to keep my boobs in my shirt, but ultimately offered them to kiddo out of desperation after trying everything else. Then he fell asleep. Was it the boob effect? Or was he just starving?

Based upon the recent general spike in his appetite, I’d go with starving. He has been eating and eating and eating and eating!!! So maybe – just maybe – we’re finally putting the weight gain problem behind us. MAYBE. I am looking forward to his 15 month appointment in July to get an official weigh-in. I bet you he has packed on a few pounds and grown a couple inches. All this food has to be going somewhere!!!

YAY LEWIS!!

We must be dealing with teething. There is no other explanation for the severe lack of sleep. Lewis keeps waking frequently, screaming, and staying awake for hours.

I have always said I don’t mind waking up once a night, as long as it isn’t for hours on end. But that’s exactly what is happening lately…. and I’m pooped!

I just don’t know what the kid needs. Tylenol helps a little, but he’s had some and he is still awake and angry. If it is teething, it’s molar time. So maybe tylenol just dulls the pain instead of taking it away entirely?

I’ve tried singing, rocking, bouncing, new diaper, playing lullabies on my phone, swaying, rubbing his back, rubbing his belly, stroking his hair, holding him a million ways, shushing, and as a very last resort I have even let him have night feedings back (sigh… when will we be done breastfeeding??).

He still screams.

And then somewhere between 1 and 3 hours after he initially wakes up, he zonks for a couple hours until it is time to start screaming again.

Silver lining in all of this: I have gotten better at keeping my temper under control. How? By reminding myself to practice empathy, and that he is in pain and needs me – it isn’t about how I feel about being awake, it is about helping him with what is clearly distressing to him.

It is very challenging when he is thrashing around so badly I can hardly hold onto him and screaming so badly he turns purple… but I have manged to avoid getting super tense, swearing, and crying for the most part. I wish I could say that staying more relaxed and focused on him has helped kiddo fall back asleep quicker, but that would be a lie. But at least I don’t feel like such a terrible parent for cussing in my frustration. It is a small victory… but an important one.

On that note, it has been an hour and a half this time around, and I think he’s asleep. Please wish me luck with the crib transfer. He looks like such a peaceful angel now that he is asleep, and he really needs the rest. Stay asleep, little buddy.