For mothers of hard babies

Now that I am the mother of Gavin, I understand.

I understand so much more of what people said.

I understand the things other mothers said to me when Tennyson was a baby. I understand how they took their babies on planes, road trips, or even just to the store. I understand why everyone looked at me like I had 3 heads when I talked about Tennyson’s sleep pattern (or lack thereof). I understand why people thought I was crazy. I understand why their advice left me feeling judged and hurt, so hurt.

I understand why I felt no one believed me when I said how I struggled. I understand why it was so hard. I understand why I NEEDED a nanny when I only had 1 baby and I worked part-time and from home.

I understand why my family questioned my sanity when I left a family vacation after just a few hours (with tears streaming down my face). I understand that no one believed me when I said through sobs that my selfish desire to try coming to the mountains and the resulting interruption of Tennyson’s ONE nap would DESTROY all of her nights of sleep for a week (and my sleep).

I understand now that it wasn’t my fault. I thought that was true but I didn’t have any proof until now. Tennyson is like her dad. Tait is the worst sleeper in the world. I am grateful that Tennyson (zombie that she is) sleeps so, so, soooooo much better than her dad.

I now have a baby who I think must be some sort of tranquilizer-stuffed gift from God. I have a baby who can nap through the sound of people talking. I have a baby who can nap with the lights ON, or his bed getting bumped, he can sleep in the car, etc. I have a baby who naps in the car and I can take him OUT of the car and get him back to sleep when he gets back in the house. I have a baby who doesn't have 10 different 15-step "go to sleep" routines that rotate without notice.

I have a baby who doesn’t HATE the way his car seat vibrates in a shopping cart. I have a baby who can wake up in Target and look around happily. He might even sleep briefly without total destruction of our sleep for a week.

I have a baby who sleeps better than his 2 year old sister. I have a baby who sleep 7-8 hours a night... IN A ROW!!! Let me repeat that 7-8 HOURS in a ROW!!!!! It is the CRAZIEST THING!!! I am more rested than I’ve been in years.

I parent Gavin the same way I parented Tennyson. I feed him when he’s hungry and respond to every cry as quickly as I can. (I know some of you “cry it out” mom’s just got up your high horses and thought, “Oh that is why Tennyson didn’t sleep! Brittney actually responded to her crying baby.” To anyone that just thought that… uh-oh... I can't complete this sentence without swear words and/or threats of smacking you upside the head. I will just let you imagine my response).

My happy-wonderful-zombie-baby-daughter has blossomed into the BEST big sister. A hug-dispensing, dancing, happy, loving, beautiful picture of toddler perfection.

I am grateful that Tennyson was a HAPPY baby, but I didn’t know what a hard baby she really was until now. I am grateful she was my 1st so that I didn’t know any better.

Mothers of hard babies, it isn’t your fault. Try not to smack the people who say crappy things to you. Love your zombie babies. You can do it. Who knows, your next baby might be a seemingly tranquilizer-stuffed miracle too!