Good Night, Sleep Tight

TIRED....

Unfortunately folks, this magical stuff is no longer cutting it.

After my exasperated post on facebook last week about the fact that my 7 month old still is up 3-4 times a night I got LOTS of suggestions on what to do.  Being as this is my second as not first child, most of it was stuff I had already heard/ tried.  However, one friend brilliantly suggested this book: http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Ladys-Good-Night-Tight/dp/1593155581/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344885036&sr=8-1&keywords=good+night+sleep+tight+by+kim+west

It came last night, and I am looking forward to reading it, and hoping it would help. It is for people who refuse to listen to their kid scream for hours, but want to get them to sleep. PERFECT!!! :)  From the one chapter I skimmed over my lunch, it seems like an easy fix. We just need a SCHEDULE! I had not even realized that with Lainey I have been horrible at having a schedule. With Keira, I worked full time (versus 3 days a week), we were living in our own home, and had ONE child, not two. I know by this point you are saying "Yes- and your point is?!" Well the point is that until today, in my sleep deprived existence, it did not even dawn on me that this is what life for Lainey is like:

• 1 day a week she goes to a babysitters and has a routine there
• 2 days a week she goes to Grandma's and has her routine there
• 2 days a week she is "home" with mom and big sister- which means that she is on the go, lugged from playdate, to grocery shopping, to the office to catch up on stuff not done in the 3 previous days, etc. On top of that "Home" could be one of 2-3 different places, as it is Grandma Leas/ Janes/ or a friends house.
• 2 days a week it is the weekend- which means there is absolutely NO schedule as we may or may not be in town, and usually have a booked agenda. 

AND I WONDER WHY MY CHILD DOESN"T SLEEP?!

I love being home Part time, but did not realize until today, that this is probably exasperating the whole "not having a schedule" thing, as Lainey has a different schedule almost every day of the week. On top of that, Keira was such an easy baby who just slept anywhere, I am not used to this whole idea of "catering to naptime". (Btw- I really despise that whole philosophy of catering to naptime, as Keira just slept on the go, and her routine fit into my routine. For some reason the idea that we have to ALL stop what we are doing for a child to nap is irritating to me. What do they think?....that the world revolves around them?! Well, apparently it does. ***Sigh***)

With that being said: I have drawn up a FLEXIBLE schedule that I am going to try and get Lainey on. This will include a bedtime at around the same time each day, a wake up time each day, and nap times at the same time (roughly) each day. Does this mean I will be cancelling playdates so my child can nap? ABSOLUTELY not. What it does mean is that I am going to be more cognizant of keeping to a schedule, and if we are on the go, putting Lainey in her seat and putting her to sleep around the same time everyday. 

Praying that this will help both Lainey and the rest of the Diehm household to be a happier more productive member of society. :) 

Living the Dream

Living the Homeless Life....

Well Friends, we are 2 months into this whole process of not having a house! It has gone really well so far, but I am getting super grumpy  anxious to have our own house! There is just nothing like living in your own home, with your kids and hubby...having the freedom to do things the way you like. :) I honestly feel a lot like  I do when I am pregnant and the due date is getting close. I am so anxious and ready for the wait to be over that I can't focus on ANYTHING!

What I am looking forward to:

1. COOKING AGAIN! - I don't cook much at my in-laws, just because it is more work, as it isn't my kitchen,  they have things set up differently than I do, and it is cramped with two families sharing one kitchen. I love to cook, so I am looking forward to getting  back into the routine of meal planning, cooking with Austin and the girls after work, and trying new recipes.

2. HOSTING!- Austin and I both realized awhile ago that God has given us the gift of hospitality. We love to host people for dinner, events, and be a blessing to others in that way. We love to get to know new people in our church and neighborhood by having them over. That was one of the determining factors when we looked at houses- it had to have PLENTY of room to host. We are definitely looking forward to being able to do that again. We are hoping to be in our house in time to have our annual harvest party. :)

3. Decorating- I finally got my old house decorated the way I liked (of course...right before you move out!). At first I was glad that we had a break before decorating a whole new house. But now after trips to NFM, hours on Pinterest, and brainstorming I am ready to test out some of the cute ideas I have found!

What is AWESOME about living with my in-laws

1. No Mortgage!...wouldn't it be nice if that was permanent?! ;) We are trying to stay on our same budget to save, save, SAVE, as we know there will be lots of expenses once we get into our house (appliances anyone?!)

2. Late Night Date Walks/Runs- Austin and I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed having a bit more freedom. We have gotten in the habit of putting the girls to bed, and then taking a walk, run, or bike ride together as his parents are home in bed as well. It is something we always loved to do, and have missed once we had kids. It is so peaceful late at night and we love having that couple time!

3. Laundry- Did I mention that my MIL is a laundry washing machine? The brand is Diehm, and it is WAY better than Maytag.  I absolutely DESPISE doing laundry...and she likes it. So, that has created quite a nice combo. I will definitely miss her help around the house when we move out. :)

What No One Tells You About Building...

1. You turn into a psychotic personality who doubts every decision  (or at least I do). It is horrible! There are so many choices, and once you finally make a decision, you see the neighbors house/ a new idea, and want to do it that way...but then it is too late. So then, you have to re-convince yourself that you like what you picked out, and it won't be outdated in 5 years, and it is the best deal for the money, blah, blah, blah. Seriously folks, it is an emotional roller coaster! (or I am just in need of medication- which my husband might argue is the case!). I am definitely learning that I need to just be content once I make a decision and be THANKFUL for the fact that GOD has blessed us. I don't have to have EVERYTHING in this house, nor does it have to be like the neighbors. I know that sounds spoiled and trivial, but for me it is a definitely a lesson in leaning on God and knowing that he is control and I will be content, even when the builder doesn't match my dreams. :)

Below is a sneak peak of what the house currently looks like. They have made TONS of progress in the past month! They are getting ready to start dry walling, and hope to be done with that before End of Month. I am hoping to be in the house by beginning of October. :)



Ok Mom friends- I love this couch...but do you think it will be DESTROYED by kids in the first week?!


Thanks for reading and going on this journey called life with me!