Dr. Ferber wrote a book on how to sleep train babies. Daddy loves reading books and loves following the advice in books even more. And mommy really wanted me to sleep through the night and, more importantly, sleep through the night in my crib, unswaddled. So, they Ferberized me.
The Ferber method involves breaking sleep associations that a baby may have formed (i.e., sleeping swaddled in a bassinet, getting rocked or nursed to sleep, getting picked up in the middle of the night when he cries, et cetera). This means you put the baby down at night while he's still awake and you let the baby cry... and cry... and cry... until he sleeps. All was well and good in my life until Dr. Ferber came along.
I found the method to be Draconian, to be honest. Who is this so-called doctor and why did he have to brainwash my parents into thinking this is a good idea?! Sure, the Ferber method involved daddy coming in periodically to check on me and talk to me and "reassure" me (which did not involve him picking me up or rocking me like I wanted). Sure, I calmed down when I heard daddy's deep, calm, soothing voice. Sure, I didn't feel abandoned, or unloved, and knew M&D were watching me the entire time. And sure, I'm sleeping longer than ever and better than ever now, in my crib, unswaddled, on my own (although I still log some nights of protest). But, I don't care about all that. I've got a bone to pick with Dr. Ferber.
In other, more happy news, December has been a month filled with festive, joyous, holiday fun. I hosted my first holiday party. We had 24 mommies and 23 babies at our home. There was an unfathomable amount of food, mulled wine, spiked eggnog, holiday music and so many people. The babies exchanged secret santa presents with each other (I bought a sweater for Hugo and Charlie bought me a Christmas book).
Besides the party, we had many other events this month. We went out to dinner with Marlo and his mom and dad. We had a dance party workout at Wells' house (this involved moms with their babies in carriers doing squats, lunges and such while pop music blasted in the background... don't judge, it was fun). We made Christmas ornaments at Jack's house (his mom is crazy crafty). We had my favorite twins, Clara and Violet, and their parents over for brunch. We went back to Wells' house for her parents' holiday party (this time daddy came too and we played a super fun present exchange game called White Elephant, which got me excited about seeing some elephants, but like many things in this life, the name had nothing to do with the subject matter).
We had a holiday cookie exchange at Brady's house, during which Brady and I advanced our "bromance." There was a brief hand holding incident a while ago during book club. This time, we both rolled over onto our sides and started grabbing each other... in a manly way of course. We are guy friends.
I also got to see my other guy friend Hugo last weekend when our parents took us out to brunch, although I wasn't my usual gregarious self and slept the entire time because of the - ahem - sleep training business happening at night.
Finally, we went to music class each Wednesday this month and went out to lunch after class with Teddy, Riley, Henry, Emmerson and their mommies.
Despite the sleep training, it's been a nice couple of weeks. But that doesn't mean Ferber is off the hook. I will find him one day and give him a piece of my mind.
Below are some pictures from December (note: I may appear somewhat obese in the brown and tan striped sweater outfit, but the camera adds 10 lbs).
Love,
WFT
Besides the party, we had many other events this month. We went out to dinner with Marlo and his mom and dad. We had a dance party workout at Wells' house (this involved moms with their babies in carriers doing squats, lunges and such while pop music blasted in the background... don't judge, it was fun). We made Christmas ornaments at Jack's house (his mom is crazy crafty). We had my favorite twins, Clara and Violet, and their parents over for brunch. We went back to Wells' house for her parents' holiday party (this time daddy came too and we played a super fun present exchange game called White Elephant, which got me excited about seeing some elephants, but like many things in this life, the name had nothing to do with the subject matter).
We had a holiday cookie exchange at Brady's house, during which Brady and I advanced our "bromance." There was a brief hand holding incident a while ago during book club. This time, we both rolled over onto our sides and started grabbing each other... in a manly way of course. We are guy friends.
I also got to see my other guy friend Hugo last weekend when our parents took us out to brunch, although I wasn't my usual gregarious self and slept the entire time because of the - ahem - sleep training business happening at night.
Finally, we went to music class each Wednesday this month and went out to lunch after class with Teddy, Riley, Henry, Emmerson and their mommies.
Despite the sleep training, it's been a nice couple of weeks. But that doesn't mean Ferber is off the hook. I will find him one day and give him a piece of my mind.
Below are some pictures from December (note: I may appear somewhat obese in the brown and tan striped sweater outfit, but the camera adds 10 lbs).
Love,
WFT
