Thursday, February 28, 2008

Too Tired for a Title

I am extremely exhausted this week and it's only Thursday. Melody had a rough night last night. Or I should say that I had a rough night. :-) Normally, she will sleep for 5-6 hours after her midnight bottle, but she was wide awake and crying last night. She cried off and on until 7:30am. She just couldn't get into a deep sleep, even with diaper changes and feedings throughout the night. After her 7:30am feeding, she fell asleep and I passed out, too. She is lucky that I think she is so cute!

A lot of you have commented on the fact that I still have time to knit while taking care of an infant. Let me tell you that knitting is what is keeping me sane! I would go crazy if I didn't have something creative to do while looking after a crying baby and two dogs all day. I think she has hit her peak on being fussy and crying these days. I have read everything I could find and the books and internet say that it will get better by 3-4 months. I hope I make it that long.

I have lot of projects that just needs ends woven in and minor seaming and they will be done. But for this week, all I have to show is this:A Mickey Mouse Washcloth for Melody's bath time. I used the leftover cotton yarn from knitting the Transformers washcloth for DH. So, one ball of Peaches & Cream will yield both washcloths. The Transformers washcloth is a lot bigger than the Mouse one.

Pattern: Mouse dishcloth by Carol Callaway, you need to join this Yahoo Group for the free pattern.
Yarn: Peaches & Creme, color: Yellow 10
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Size: 7 inches by 7.5 inches
For Ravelry Users: Free Ravelry Pattern Download

30 comments:

flanthrower said...

Oh you poor thing! I'm sorry that you're not getting any sleep. That is the worst! I'm no baby expert but having survived and participated in the rearing of 3 younger siblings, I'm told that this happens with a lot of babies until they get settled into a routine. My little sister was a holy terror at night until her 4th month. I'm sure that's little comfort now, but think of it as an adjustment period for you both. In the meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the adjustment will go quickly!!

Rebekah said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that you're not getting much sleep. That must be so frustrating knowing that you just want what's best for her, but not being able to figure out what the problem is. I hope that you have many restful nights this week and that she learns how great sleeping is!

Cute washcloth! And isn't it great to have knitting around to keep you sane? It's been helping me with my work stress this week, for sure.

Amanda Jean said...

I hear ya'! quilting keeps me sane.

Anonymous said...

I am sure you have gotten lots of advice, but some ideas for you if haven't already tried them...when I was a baby mom said I loved to be in my seat on the dryer with it on. It is noisy and moves a bit. My little brother would sleep in the car when he would sleep nowhere else. She loves you mom! Keep up the good work with her!
Andee in Wisc

rohanknitter said...

Oh boy, look at that little screamer. (still cute, even when crying!) When my oldest was a baby, he had colic and he'd cry pretty much all night long. It was awful! I can't imagine if I'd had a job. I was exhausted as it was. At 6 wks he started sleeping 8 hours at night, but he cried much of the day. But we both made it through, now he's 16 and it seems like a distant dream. I have some wise older relatives who, when my kids were small, would always tell me, "This too shall pass." And they were right. (but I always wanted to slap them when they said that!)
; ) Oh and now, no amount of baby screaming can phase me. Bring it on!
Hang in there!

BitterSweet said...

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that sleep hasn't been coming easily to either you or Melody! Hopefully things will improve shortly... In the mean time, it's a good thing that knitting helps at least a little.

Agnes said...

I am sorry to read that the little one is being difficult these days. Things like this happen with infants ... my parents used to say that it commonly lasts 100 days ... I think it was a little bit longer with my niece. The baby being cute certainly helps the exhausted mother to go through this period! :)
Like the others have said, hang in there! She would grow so fast you won't believe later. ;)

priscilla joy said...

I am sure you're glad you got "some" sleep!:) Melody is way toooo cute!

Kirsten said...

Hang in there. I remember all too well that feeling of utter exhaustion during the early weeks with my kids.
I hope she settles into a routine soon.
For what it's worth, my kids all settled down somewhere around that 3-4 mo. range.

Anonymous said...

I love the bear's expression. He looks like he's throwing his arms up in defeat, too. Yes, it's a good thing Melody's a cutie.

Jennie said...

Hope you get some rest soon.
Love the photo =)

Sue said...

Oh my goodness if babies were so absolutely cute I think we would pass them back when they had their screaming nights. My daughter was actually lactose intolerant and from 4:30 every afternoon and all night she would sleep on and off, scream and cry and keep me exhausted too. Finally the health sister said to change her formula as her poor little tummy couldnt handle it. She finally outgrew the lactose intolerance (being nearly 6 yrs old) but she still doesnt sleep properly now as she had gotten used to waking up through the night so much. I do hope that your little one settles down for you. My MIL used to wrap my daughter tightly in her blanket at night too which helped her feel secure and sleep a bit better. Hope some advice helps you out. By the way the washcloth is cute and I am sure it will be lovely and soft to use too.

hetty said...

There is nothing worse than lack of sleep! Melody certainly is a cutie! Things will get better, but in the meantime, keep sane by knitting as often as you can. I love the Mickey Mouse washcloth! Very nice!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

It sounds like you have good mothering wisdom... finding an outlet to maintain your sanity and recognizing how dear she is, in spite of the sleep challenges. Could it be colic? Does she seem pained? Two of my children had that and I had the quickest and most simple help with two massage techniques taught to me by a pediatric acupuncturist... amazing relief that I have shared with other moms...
She is cute, even crying. I hope you are both sleeping soon.

Nettie said...

There really is nothing like these first months of no sleep to test you. The cuteness helps though ;)
Hang in there it gets better.

Rima said...

Oh. I have no kids, but I feel your pain :( I hope Melody settles down soon, and you get some well-deserved sleep.

Nanette Merrill said...

Oprah had a thing on baby's crying and what each different cry meant. It was facinating. I think they still have the blurb about it on Oprah's website. I wish I had something like that when I had babies. Different cries mean different things. I knew that but I didn't know what each cry meant! I do know that they grow out of this stage fast. Even the worst ones. Good luck. She's adorable. Even when crying.

Allegra said...

Oh you poor thing. That picture of Melody says it all!!! It's so hard when they cry all night and you have no idea why, or how to soothe. I am thinking that maybe sometimes they are dealing with growing pains, and that must hurt! I remember having growing pains when I was little and it sucked. I hope she calms down soon so you can get some rest.

bunbun said...

Melody looks cute even when she is screaming!
I am always blown away by your photos!

Unknown said...

All your knitting is fabulous. I hope Melody lets you get some sleep soon! I'm exhausted from one puppy, I can't imagine an infant and the boys!

maryse said...

i have no personal advice to give you but can only remind you that you too will get through this crazy time.

that all babies behave this way and you are specially designed to be able to handle this. that's why they call you the mom.

sUsAn said...

Hang in there! Knitting is what keeps me sane too! Spring is just around the corner too...

CynCyn said...

He he. Such a cute little wee thing shouldn't really be able to create all that drama, right? Hope you get some rest soon!

Elaina said...

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been sleeping. I know what you mean! Evie was doing the same thing. I read that they are at their peak of fussiness at the one month range. I recommend 'The Baby Whisperer' book by Tracy Hogg. Ever since I read the book and followed some of the suggestions, we've been able to establish a predictable routine that Evie has been able to follow. Good luck! I hope you are able to get some rest soon!

Danielle said...

I hope things get quieter and more restful with Melody :) This phase will go by quickly even though it seems like it's going on forever now! I actually did quite a bit of knitting after my third baby was born too, she's now 2 and a half and I knit all the time still because it keeps me sane :)!!

Filambulle said...

Knitting has the same function for me.
I hope your daughter will sleep well (or simply better) this night. We have all (mothers) experimented those dreadfull times, and I think you are very wise to knit through it.
If she cries after the feeding, maybe you may try a anallergic milk (I don't really know the name in english. It is milk without lactose and without allergisant).
an Andee is right. Babies love noise and movement. :)

Take care, knit well, and give this cute bundle of love a tiny kiss from a swiss knitter.

btw: the washcloth is CUTE.

Knitterella said...

I wish I could give you advise but I'm not a mommy yet so I have no clue what you are going through. Sounds very hard… but I have to agree with you, she's still the cutest!

Cute washcloth - what a nice idea for Melody.

Anonymous said...

Ohh, I hope you and Melody get some good night's rest soon.

That Bobbi Bear is almost as cute as Melody, BTW:)

alysia said...

I definitely don't have kids, but perhaps she misses your scent? I'm guessing the baby sleeps in a different room. So leave something that you've slept in or wore all day long next to her in her crib. I hope that helps!

Oiyi said...
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