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Braxton’s first Christmas was amazing. We enjoyed every minute of it, and I’m sad it’s over now. But fingers crossed, next years will be even better!
(Photo by Thomas Chen Photography.)
Christmas Eve was spent at my In-Laws house. We spent the day with my husband’s mom, brother and grandma. His mom made us a nice dinner and we opened presents. Blair got new clothes, and I got a beautiful Kendra Scott Elle earrings. (Just naming some of our favs.) I’m looking forward to getting my pedicure after not having had one in months! But Braxton was definitely the star of the show. His Uncle bought him a Radio Flyer Wagon, and his Grandma got him a Laugh & Learn Crawl through toy that he loves. We ended up skipping Christmas Eve Church for the first time ever. Lots of guilt over that, but Braxton didn’t really nap that day and the service was around his bedtime so we knew he would be super fussy and it was make it unenjoyable for not only us but everyone around us. We went home and put Braxton in his Santa PJ’s and went to bed.
(First time trying out the wagon. Blair had to get in with Braxton because he’s a big kid too.)
Christmas morning we actually woke up before Braxton! It was actually hard for me to wait for him to wake up to get things started. We had decided on Cinnamon Rolls and Mimosas for our Christmas morning breakfast. We watched the Disney Parade while we waited for Braxton to wake up. When he got up we opened our stockings and presents. Blair got me a Kendra Scott Rose Gold necklace and my first ever massage from Massage Envy. After still having back pain from pregnancy, the epidural and from carrying around a 20 pound baby…I can’t wait to get a professional massage. I got Blair a Nike Hoodie. But of course this was really all about Braxton. We got him a new baby bathtub, (He has pretty much outgrown his infant tub, so we got him the Munchkin Duck Transition Tub.) Fisher Price Baby’s First Blocks, Laugh & Learn Puppy, and Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Crib Soother. (To hopefully help him sleep…)
(Braxton waking up Christmas morning. He was so excited to open presents!)
After we had our Christmas morning, we went to my parents house for Christmas Day. My sister and her husband were in town so it was fun having Christmas with all of them. My parents got all of us Fitbits for Christmas. I’m super excited to use it to help me get back on track fitness-wise. My sis and brother in law got me a Kendra Scott Tessa Earrings, (obviously my new obsession…if anyone ever needs present ideas for me, just look at my Kendra Scott wishlist. Thanks!) and got Blair a FujiFilm Instax Camera. (We had one of these at my baby shower and I loved it!) But Braxton was beyond spoiled by his aunt, uncle and grandparents… His aunt & uncle got him a SmartTrike along with lots of clothes and teething toys. His grandma & grandpa got him a ride-on elephant toy, a ride-on tractor toy, toy trucks, and books. He definitely had the best and biggest Christmas of us all.
(At my parents house. Uncle Thomas has skills with the camera!)
(We made these for both grandma’s for Christmas. Not easy to get his footprints on canvas but definitely worth it.)
When we got home, we realized we had no place to put all his toys…so our Christmas weekend project became turning the office into Braxton’s playroom. We decided that since the room was pretty big, we would keep the desk in there so I could still work while Braxton plays. But that meant we still need to get a baby gate to keep Braxton from playing with cords and trying to pull up on the desk and stuff. Otherwise, the room is looking awesome and our living room is looking less like a daycare now! It also forced us to do some organizing and decluttering. So along with getting his playroom together, we also put up Christmas decorations, and reorganized our house. It was a very fun, and productive Christmas break.
(I spy my little guy enjoying his new playroom and toys!)
So the only downside to our Christmas is that Braxton’s sleep isn’t getting any better. He is still only sleeping 1-2 hours a night, and refuses to sleep in his crib. He still only sleeps in his rock n play, which he is way too big for at this point. We saw the doctor, and she said he could have a small security blanket or toy in his crib to help him. (And that I should sleep with it for a few nights first so it has my scent on it.) Also that letting him cry and learn to fall asleep on his own, in his crib was the best thing we could do. So we tried that again. During the day for naps it worked ok. He fought it, but having teddy in his crib, and the sea soother toy helped. So we thought nighttime wouldn’t be too bad and that maybe this would work. We were wrong. When he was almost asleep while nursing him, I put him in his crib and kissed him goodnight and left the room. I decided to let him cry for 5 minutes and then check on him. I watched him on the monitor but turned off the sound because I can’t stand to hear him cry. I have so much guilt over this now because when I went in to check on him after 5 minutes, he was covered in throw up and still throwing up. I quickly sat him up and called for Blair. We got him in the tub and gave him another bath and he was still inconsolable. His crib was soaked with throw up and even after taking off the sheets, it was still soaked so we had to put him in the rock n play to sleep. I have no idea what to do now. Crying it out definitely isn’t an option for us now. We have tried it multiple times and he always works himself up too much and throws up. So now we are looking into getting a DockaTot since it has the same secure feeling as a rock n play but can fit in his crib. Anyone have any experience with them or any advice? I know they are super expensive, but we are desperate for sleep at this point. (Or if anyone has a discount code for one…let me know!!) Pray that we get some better sleep by the next post!
(Is this the solution to our sleep problems?? If anyone has one and loves/hates it, please let me know! Or if your looking to sell yours for cheap…comment below!)
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