Weaning from the Nighttime Nursing

Three nights ago we started what we have been dreading doing - weaning the boys from the right-before-bed nursing. The thought is that with me going back to work a couple days a week, working evening shift, that we need to make it easier for Timo to put the boys to bed by himself. So we have been sleep training the boys with the eventual goal that they would have a regular night-time routine that anybody could put them to bed.

The first night (Monday) we replaced the nursing with a bottle. They both drank just a little bit, played with it some more, but didn't cry when we gave them the bottle. Then did story time and quiet time, like we normally would, and put them in their cribs with a kiss goodnight, and closed the door. That is when the screaming began - Dario was the worst - it was like he was saying "WHAT?!?" whereas Ray was crying more like, he had hope that I was going to come back and nurse them. They finally did fall asleep, but it was hard listening to them cry.

Second night went a little better. They still didn't drink much from the bottles, but when it came time to put them down to bed, they maybe cried for 5-10 minutes then went to sleep.

Third night was Halloween, so it was all screwed up as far as routine goes. We decided to go trick-or-treating with my niece SRC, and we didn't end up getting out until 7pm (their regular bed time). They did great, though! They stayed up the whole time, didn't complain at all, and seemed to enjoy going around in the stroller being admired by people. Obviously the candy isn't for them - it was a fun time, and I'm glad we went. In the car on the way back to my brother's house, they fell asleep in the car. When we got home and brought them inside, got them ready for bed, and laid them down to sleep. Ray fell asleep almost immediately - Dario was screaming so loud and hysterically that we finally decided to just nurse him for fear he was going to make himself throw up (he's done it many times before). We figured the night was shot already as far as their new routine went, so hopefully it won't hurt that much.

So tonight should be interesting. It's hard to remember not to nurse them, since it is such a habit. They start climbing all over me on the floor, pressing their faces to my nightgown, opening their mouths like little birds. And I feel bad knowing that they really want to nurse, and I'm giving them a bottle instead. But I also know that it will be better for everyone involved when I am working that they can go down to bed with less fuss with me not there.

I'm a little behind on the party preparations - yesterday I was supposed to make and color all the icing - I just got it made. I also did another set of the Sesame Street candy molds. If we had stayed home and not gone trick-or-treating I could have gotten the icing colored in the evening. I think I'm still doing alright with my "schedule". Today I'm baking cakes - my first 2" deep 14" round layer is in the oven as I type. I'd be sleeping but it had 20 min left to bake and I didn't want to miss taking it out of the oven. Once it's done baking, I'm taking a nap! I'm so tired, I'm really running myself down this week. I feel like super mom, except without extra energy. I'm going to wish I had extra time to relax after the party, but then I start work on Monday. Maybe it will be like a break since I will be away from home. I hope things work out with our sitter.

Gotta go, somebody just woke up.