Sleep is crucial.

     The last two weeks have been hard. Maybe the hardest yet. Two adults and a child who are sleep deprived, up countless times at night, and fussy every waking hour do not a happy family make. I finally reached the end of my fuse. I caved and bought a sleep training book and I talked to my mom and several of my mom friends. I listened to advice, stories of what worked and what failed, assurance that this time would pass; consolidating and stashing snippets here and there of things I would use, encouragement I would call upon in those rough moments and then we did it. We tried a method and stuck too it, even when Gray couldn't handle it I stepped in and vice versa. 

     Since Sunday night, the babe has slept from 7:30ish to 4/4:30 when I feed him and put him back to bed until 7:30 in the morning. Can I just say, sleep is so crucial. For me and my family a happy baby means a happy mum and a happy dad. We definitely have some zzzzzz's to catch up on, but we are on the right track. The texts and conversations I've had from friends checking in, meant the world. There is definitely a light at the end of this tunnel and I have more confidence knowing that I can overcome tough parenting obstacles. These pictures were taken in the midst of getting back on track so he still has that tired stare going on in a couple of them, but I love the purpose they serve. What a great reminder of where we've been and where we never want to return, so help me!

     On a side note, he doesn't seem to be bothered by grass, something that, according to my mom, I hated. He is as curious as ever and everything, I mean EVERYTHING goes in his mouth. I am loving and hating this stage. His adventurous spirit is inspiring. Oh and the giggles and laughs and tired cuddles and those chunky baby feet and fat knees, gosh! I'm totally gushing, I'll stop. Six months on Friday. Man oh man.

Mum and Tobias

     It is so hard to get pictures of Tobias and I when I'm the photographer of the family. I have to be super intentional and almost always they are planned. Hopefully the home videos will show my "personality" because candid photos are a rare treat. Thankfully I am able to convince Gray to take photos every once in awhile, below is the product of one of those times. It is important to me that I am a part of the photos that my kids will look back on someday.

Morning Snuggles

     I think I'm going to be photo dumping for awhile. Just trying to catch up and post a lot of the pictures that I've just been saving to my computer. Looking back on some of these makes me realize just how much he has grown. Tobias at three months vs. Tobias now at five and a half months is drastically different. I fear the old saying "you blink and they are grown" because it's happening before my very eyes. Oh and I just read the book "Love You Forever," and balled my eyes out. Why would you write such a thing? The author must enjoy making mothers cry, that's the only logical conclusion.
     At three months when he found his voice he would wake up talking and babbling and I'd reach over and pull him into bed between Gray and I and snuggle him and watch him enjoy his new found skill. It was fascinating, both his facial expressions and the vocal exercises he would produce. We're onto new skills now, but I never tire listening to his silly sounds. And the morning snuggles? That will me a daily occurrence for as long as he allows. . .