Swingin'

This past weekend was our Canada Day weekend, so we packed up all of our gear (again, packing for a baby takes multiple days and a series of checklists!) and headed up north again. Surrounding Kaiden with the same childhood - whether he can remember it or not - is super important to me, so ideally I'm aiming for taking him up every long weekend.

After many walks around in his little car and stroller, I decided to take him over to the baby swings (9 months for an average size baby, y'all! My little guy is a bit bigger than average!) in the park across the road, and he fell absolutely in love.

I think he noticed the difference of his baby swing and actually swinging in a "big boy swing", because the grin on his face was absolutely, heart achingly beautiful! I couldn't stop laughing at his amusement as we pushed him back and released him, grinning and screaming every time the sun would hit his little face. I fell more in love with my son than I ever thought possible. The older he gets, the more personality he forms, the more I can't imagine him not being the thing that holds me to this earth. I don't know what I ever did without him!

What works! .. & doesn't.

I've been given the same advice from the beginning of my pregnancy, and I'm sure it will continue to be uttered, "No two babies are the same, so not everything you read will work with your baby." This has molded in my head, so when a book says "routine, routine, routine", I used to nod in agreement.. now, I smile and whisper "No, no, no-no!".

The deep seated planner in me is one that wants things to be orderly, and have a schedule. The mother in me knows it's impossible with my baby. Kaiden is on Kaiden time, and me trying to adjust his feedings, naps, and bedtime will not go well for me at all and cause him too much distress.

I read plently of parenting tips, must-haves and reviews prior to having my little one, and I decided to compile a list of what works for us, and what really doesn't.

What works:

1. Bath (every night) - As indicated in a previous post, the only way in order to ensure my little guy gets more than a half hour of sleep before he's wailing, is a nice (very) warm bath with lavendar scented bath products (Thank you, Johnson's!)

2. Swing - Godsend. A lot of people saying it was useless truthfully made me hesitate, until my parents insisted the swing matched the bouncer, which matched the travel system, which matched his diaper bag, and etc. , so we wound up getting one anyways. Thankful is the word for this one. There are times where he requires movement - not just rocking or walking - but a lot of fast motion. Ninety percent of the time I put him in his swing when he's agitated, and turn on the classical music, and he's out like a light.

3. Reading - I'm not really interested in people's opinions when it comes to reading to him. I couldn't care less if he doesn't grasp the concept, doesn't understand the words I'm saying, or hates the sound of my voice. Most of the time after he's stayed awake long enough to have a full feeding - but hasn't dozed off - if I begin to read to him his eyes start to get heavy and he drifts off. Plus, if he one day is a genius, I only have myself to thank!

What doesn't:

1. Swaddle - I'm told most babies fight it initially, but after awhile they will cave and sleep sounder. Kaiden? Nope. The first few nights I tried, he would scream and squirm until his hands were released, popping them directly in his mouth. I guess he just really didn't like how close everything was in there (never-ending kicking and moving), and out here, he's no better.

2. Pacifier - We have tried countless brands, and have even tried letting him suck on his bottle (eyes closed, mind you!) and did a "quick swap", and he notices the difference right away and spits it out. Only when he's severely tired and half asleep will he even take one in his mouth to calm him down, and even then it won't stay in long. Makes it easier for me to have to ween him off of it in later life, I suppose!

So in conclusion - do what's best for you, and your baby. Don't rely on the opinion of one mother, (or author for that matter!) to determine the needs for your child and what's "best for your child". As a mother, you're already on the right channel, you just need to fine-tune it.