Sleep...

Well, we are still fighting the sleep demons. Colby just doesn't want to go to bed or most especially nap. I realize that many children age 3, which he will be next month, begin to decrease nap time. However, Colby without a nap is a bear. He doesn't go to sleep any earlier without a nap and from 6-8 at night he is miserable those days. The only difference is that without a nap, he does go to sleep quicker than days he has a nap.

Yes, I admit, I do watch Supernanny and I loved Nanny 911. I like to see how she handles sleep issues. We do have the set routine with bath, book, etc. Usually Colby wants Mike to sit with him. That's fine. However, we can't sit with him forever. He doesn't fall asleep right away and starts to fuss if we get up. The usual routine, Mike reminds Colby he will only sit for a couple songs (Yes, we have the radio on. Colby likes it. I think it gives him the noise he is used to from the baby home). They listen to the songs with Colby in bed and Mike on the floor. After the two songs, Mike goes to leave. Not too long after, we hear the pitter patter of little feet and out pops Colby. He doesn't cry or make any noise. He just stands there. Mike and I then take turns walking him back to bed without talking to him. This can go on and on for at least 30-40 minutes. One night it went almost an hour. I just don't know what else to do. I miss the crib! I'm not sure if he misses our company, is just being a brat or what. The sleep issue started right before the holidays when it started to get dark out sooner. I can only hope it will end now that it is staying lighter out.

And nap is hit or miss. Yesterday he fussed and yelled and refused to stay in bed. Today, he finished lunch, put one of his stuffed animals down for a nap, and put himself to bed. Granted now he is reading a book but I can handle that. As long as he rests. What can we do? Any suggestions? Ugh! I hate nap and bed time!!!!

Ok...so I wrote this a little too quickly. Colby just fell asleep for his nap. Yes, he put himself in bed and I sat with him for 2 songs. Then we started with the getting up routine. He decided to read books and play with his toys instead of rest, even though I left him with a few books. After an hour I put him in a boring corner and told him if he wanted to stay up he could sit there. After a little crying I watched as his head started to droop. Yup, asleep in the corner. I just carried him to bed. Ugh!

Ugh!

Ok. I must confess. We are not doing well with sleeping lately. Is it a two year old thing? Is it Colby being a little stinker? Is it an adoptive thing? Not sure but it all started somewhere in the midst of the holiday season. Thinking it was the holidays and COlby was just over excited, I didn't think much of it. Now, I'm going crazy. Most days, he refuses to nap. Yes, he is tired. Yes, he is cranky without it. But no, he won't give in and go to sleep. He is in a toddler bed and for the life of me, I can't figure out how to keep him in it. There is no major tantrum. He comes out to peek at Mike and me to see if we are still there. Just checking I guess. At night this can go one for well over an hour. We have tried it all. Laying with him in our bed, sitting on his floor, leaving him alone. Ugh! Nothing works. He has said he's "Afraid dark". Not sure. So this leads to yesterday....

Mike and I sat with Colby and tucked him in for his nap after lunch. He had been very fidgety at church but he looked tired. We hoped for a good nap. No such luck. Mike sat with him for a little while and then came out to the family room. Colby peeked out a couple times and we sent him back. Colby got up once and went to the potty. Mike went in and praised him for that. Then it was quiet for quite awhile. We thought he had fallen asleep. No such luck. Mike went to check on him and what a mess! Colby had reached up on the dresser and grabbed the tube of Diaper Cream. Yes, I know, I should have put it away. We haven't used it in forever. Colby is now potty trained so why is it out? He squeezed the cream everywhere on the floor, the dresser, his bed, and the area rug. That stuff not only smells but is so sticky. Mike and I had to scrub the rug but it is still there. On the bright side, we wanted to clean it pretty good before we have company this weekend. The dog sleeps on it and it was a mess. But, ugh! Everywhere. Now what do we do? We had just praised him for getting up by himself and going poops on the potty, and now this? Ugh! And then of course, he wouldn't lay down again and threw a fit, crying and screaming, begging for a snack. A SNACK!!! After that mess. No way! So, last night, exhausted he fell asleep with little fuss. And today he did take a nap. We shall see about tonight!

Happy Birt It!

Happy Birt it (Birthday) Daddy! I hope you like your card. Mommy and I worked really hard on it. I loved using the glitter glue and stickers. And Mommy and I loved making your cake. Chocolate icing is so yummy tummy. I am so happy that we have the special times together, even if it is just for a little afternoon nap!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Cuddles

This week has been really good. Colby is learning so much and growing a lot. I almost forget he has only been exposed to the English language for just over 3 months! Wow!

Colby has also been much more affectionate this week. Twice for nap and once at bed time time he sat and rocked with me to fall to sleep. One day we ate lunch a little later than usual so it was nap time after he finished. After washing him up I took off his shoes. This is something I often do. I guess Colby knew it was nap time because then he said, "Nigh nigh." I told him yes it was time for his nap. He then said, "Rock, rock." I couldn't believe my ears. Just the day before he rocked with me in the chair before his nap. He had climbed into my lap and snuggled right in. So, I asked him if he wanted his crib or to rock with Mommy and he again said, "Rock, rock. Mommy." So we sat together in the rocking chair and rocked and he was soon fast asleep. What a great feeling. If only someone had a camera, but no one else was home. Colby looks so cute when he sleeps.

Nap Time

Well, we have made it. We made it through the paperwork, the courtroom, and the wait and Colby is ours. We brought him "home" with us yesterday. Not quite home, but home for the moment.

Yesterday was a whirlwind of activity and emotions. We had to get the adoption and birth certificates in the morning and then we went to get Colby. Yes, another crazy ride to Kamensk. I am thrilled that is all over. We dressed him up in his snowpants and winter coat, both a bit big but they will keep him very warm. He looked so cute in his hat and mittens too. Then we were off. One last ride back to Ekat and then Svetlana needs to start the paperwork for Colby's Russian passport. We will get that on Wed.

It was a sleepless night for both Mike and I. We both didn't want to shut our eyes, we were enjoying watching our little man sleep. But boy does he flop around in his sleep. I will be thrilled to have him in his crib. The three of us cannot share the same bed. Someone is likely to get kicked or headbutted out of bed.

Right now it is 2:30 PM on Wed 2/18. Mike is headed with Svetlana soon to get Colby's passport and the little man finally relaxed enough and fell asleep in my arms for his nap around 1:30. He's bound to wake up soon. I promise to write more soon, with the details everyone is dying for and yes, the photos too. It is hard to download photos using dial-up. In Moscow we should be high-speed. But for everyone reading, thank you for all the well wishes and warm thoughts. He is finally ours. Now 2 is 3!