On Saturday (or the 1st day of Hanukkah), we took Niko to my parents house (which is an hour from us) to celebrate Hanukkah.
It could’ve easily been a nightmare with an almost 8 month old baby, but it wasn’t. For the past several nights, he hasn’t been sleeping well (probably due to the fact that he is growing his 1st set of teef). But, on Friday night, he slept well and Nina and I actually got some sleep as well (without several long interruptions).
I will tell you all about the interruptions!!! So, when Niko wakes-up in the middle of the night (it doesn’t even matter what time it is), I have to get out of bed (and leave a great dream that I won’t ever remember), find Niko by touch in the crib because it is dark (and make sure I don’t trip on any obstructions like the crib), get back into bed with Niko, pass him to Nina for breast milk (sometimes he crawls to her which is really nice to watch — I just have to warn Nina so she doesn’t roll over), I then have to wait for Niko to finish (sometimes, I fall asleep and when I do, I tell Nina to nudge me awake when they finish), Nina then passes Niko back to me (he doesn’t crawl to me yet, he is practically sleeping when I get him), I will either put him back in the crib immediately or let him relax next to me for a few minutes and then put him back in the crib, and finally when my daddy night-time job is finished, I can go back to sleep and try to rejoin my dream. Repeat this about 2 or 3 times a night for about an hour each!!! Yes, I am tired…but, I don’t complain about my lack of sleep.
During my semi-awake time, I am either eyes deep in my phone on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or reading a book or I am just relaxing in bed with my eyes open (thinking of what to write next). I haven’t yet gotten to the point of late night Amazon shopping like my wife!!! We get so many Amazon deliveries and for most of those, I am always asking Nina what’s in the box!!!
When Nina’s back was hurting the week of Thanksgiving, I did a midnight-ish bottle feeding of formula because she was on medications and we wanted to be safe with Niko. I have continued to do this (whenever possible) so she can pump and stash milk for the future. I really enjoy feeding him and he actually holds the bottle and chugs it!! When I do this, I have to get out of bed (and leave a great dream that I won’t ever remember), find Niko by touch in the crib because it is dark (and make sure I don’t trip on any obstructions like the crib), go to the bathroom so I can pee (while holding the baby who always looks to see what I am doing…man, potty training is going to be fun), put him someplace safe (which is usually his diaper changing station on top of the dresser) in his room while I play formula bartender (yes, I am holding him with one hand so he doesn’t roll over off of the dresser), feed the baby, go back to our bedroom and let him relax next to me for a few minutes (we have to wait for Nina to finish her duties and come back to bed) and then put him back in the crib, and finally when my daddy night-time job is finished, I can go back to sleep and try to rejoin my dream.
Also, going on in the evening is dirty stuff is being cleaned and by that, I mean, the dishwasher is doing its thing, the washing machine is watering and soaping clothes (some of them stink of pee, poo, and/or food), and the dryer is warming the clothes for immediate usage. Our clean clothes sit in a laundry basket for a few days because we just don’t have the time to fold and put them away. I don’t mind digging thru it. Oh, we also have a cat that (as soon as he hears us move) starts meowing for attention outside our bedroom door. All Franklin cat wants is some acknowledgement and water and we are great inhibitors to his needs. On the 1st night home with Niko, Niko was sleeping on me and so was the cat…yep, call me a boy magnet!!!
Niko slept on the way to my parents and on the way home from my parents (he went to sleep almost immediately both times), he went for a walk at my parents house (with Nina and I and my cousin Rachel), he ate string cheese; a banana; some avocado; and some brisket, he got to play with one of his newer toys (yes, we took some toys from our house with us), he got held by several members of my family, and he was on his best behavior. If I could’ve rewarded him with chocolate, I would’ve done it (just don’t tell Nina!!!).
If we could’ve figured out a way for Niko to take his 2nd nap in my old bedroom, we would’ve stayed longer. Yes, they have a crib but we didn’t feel comfortable having Niko sleep in it. Maybe next time, we will bring one of our portable pack n plays for Niko and throw a blanket over the blinds to make it super dark.
Now, with Nina’s family, we celebrated on Sunday (or Christmas). Even though her father is Jewish, he celebrates Christmas (probably because Nina’s mom and step-mom are not Jewish). I don’t care if Nina set-up holiday lights (not outside, but actually inside the house) and if she wants a little tree next year, she can do that. She tells me it is pretty and smells good and Niko will like the lights. My only stipulation on a tree is it better not be a fire hazard.
I am actually OK celebrating both because they are very happy holidays for us and I get gifts, food, and get to schmooze (that is a Yiddish word) with family members!!!
As soon as we woke-up Sunday, we Face-Timed with her dad, step-mom, and step-brother (since they live in Ohio and we live in Texas)!!! Nina’s mom came over for lunch after Niko woke up from his 1st nap (she lives a mile from us). And, while the 3 of us ate, Niko also ate and he made a huge mess on this face, hands, and clothes. I had to do a complete outfit swap before his 2nd nap!!
I don’t know why Nina and I didn’t think of bringing Niko’s bouncer upstairs, but on Sunday before his 1st nap and after her mom left, we did that and were able to clean his room (some may call it baby-proofing) and move some furniture around. Man, it is looking awesome. On Monday before his 1st nap, he bounced while Nina and I folded lots and lots of laundry…most of the clothes belonged to Niko. We still have some work to do in his room before I can safely crawl around (I mean, Niko). We also put up a baby gate at the door so we can try to keep the cat out. Don’t worry, Franklin cat has lots of comfy warm places to sleep and always has access to food, water, and kitty litter.
One of the best gifts we got for Hanukkah and Christmas was Amazon credit and we used some of that for new rugs and an air mattress for his room. We already have lots of baby-proofing supplies and hardware which will be screwed and assembled in the days ahead.
The air mattress is for us so we can relax (or nap) comfortably in his room while he naps in the crib in our bedroom. Soon, we will move the crib out of our bedroom and into his and I am pretty sure that one of us will be sleeping in his room for a few days just to make sure Niko is OK.
