Hey Handsome,
We're in the middle of "sleep training" you now, bud...and it's hard. I mean, I feel bad, because it requires me to allow you to cry for a set period of time every night. You cry for 5 minutes, and then I go in and "comfort" you as best I can. Then I leave, and typically you start crying harder than before.
Your mom couldn't even really do it when we started -- she went in to comfort you, then came out almost in tears because it was so hard to watch you crying like that.
Anyhow, you might be upset now, but when you get older you'll understand, and when you have kids of your own you'll understand even more.
Because I was allowed to cry for extended periods of time, and I turned out just fine. I don't blame my parents now, and I never have. But the thing is, all of these "baby experts" out there are telling us that letting your child cry, even for a little bit, could hurt the child's brain.
It's scary. We've already given what will likely be a life-long scar on your forehead, but are we also damaging your brain? It all has something to do with something called "cortisol." According to doctors, non-stop crying causes a lot of cortisol. When there's too much cortisol in the body, it's a bad thing. So people assume that allowing a baby to cry creates a lot of cortisol, and that's a bad thing.
But I don't think it's that simple, because the important tests were done on rats...and humans are much more complicated than rats. That's why I'm okay with letting you cry.
I just hope it was the right choice.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Third Eye
Hey Bud,
Well...you went and did it now, didn't you? Again, this isn't your fault (nothing really is until you get a little older), but you've gone ahead and sustained your first "big" injury.
It happened at daycare. Apparently you were playing outside and you tripped or stumbled into a cement ledge. This opened up a pretty big wound on your forehead that was about the size of a small marble...pretty scary stuff.
Anyhow, mom went and picked you up, and I drove over from work and met you both at our doctor's office. The injury was actually a lot worse than I thought it'd be -- certainly worse than any cut I've had in a long time. It was pretty scary, my man. You were doing okay, but you kept rubbing it.
In order to help the wound heal, the doctor decided to glue it shut (in my day, doctors used to "stitch" wounds closed...apparently your cut was just small enough that the doctor could use glue instead). It was a good thing I came to the doctor's office, because you sure as heck did not want any part of it. I'm pretty sure everyone in the office could hear your screams, and man oh man did you squirm like crazy.
Eventually our doctor got the wound closed. I hope it doesn't scar too badly. I mean, we all have scars, but I feel bad that you got yours before you are even old enough to remember it. Maybe it'll heal well...otherwise you'll have a lot of people asking you, "Hey, where'd you get that scar from?"
Might not be so bad...especially if it's a girl asking. Chicks dig scars...or so I'm told. Either way, I feel pretty bad about it, even though I was miles away when it happened. Hope you're not too ticked off about it...but I think you'll be fine in the long run. I mean, if these people made it, I'm sure you'll be fine too: http://www.spike.com/articles/41tl4u/the-top-10-celebrities-with-deformities
Well...you went and did it now, didn't you? Again, this isn't your fault (nothing really is until you get a little older), but you've gone ahead and sustained your first "big" injury.
It happened at daycare. Apparently you were playing outside and you tripped or stumbled into a cement ledge. This opened up a pretty big wound on your forehead that was about the size of a small marble...pretty scary stuff.
Anyhow, mom went and picked you up, and I drove over from work and met you both at our doctor's office. The injury was actually a lot worse than I thought it'd be -- certainly worse than any cut I've had in a long time. It was pretty scary, my man. You were doing okay, but you kept rubbing it.
In order to help the wound heal, the doctor decided to glue it shut (in my day, doctors used to "stitch" wounds closed...apparently your cut was just small enough that the doctor could use glue instead). It was a good thing I came to the doctor's office, because you sure as heck did not want any part of it. I'm pretty sure everyone in the office could hear your screams, and man oh man did you squirm like crazy.
Eventually our doctor got the wound closed. I hope it doesn't scar too badly. I mean, we all have scars, but I feel bad that you got yours before you are even old enough to remember it. Maybe it'll heal well...otherwise you'll have a lot of people asking you, "Hey, where'd you get that scar from?"
Might not be so bad...especially if it's a girl asking. Chicks dig scars...or so I'm told. Either way, I feel pretty bad about it, even though I was miles away when it happened. Hope you're not too ticked off about it...but I think you'll be fine in the long run. I mean, if these people made it, I'm sure you'll be fine too: http://www.spike.com/articles/41tl4u/the-top-10-celebrities-with-deformities
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Please Go To Sleep...
Hey Bud,
So, first of all, I forgive you. You didn't do anything wrong...but at the same time, I forgive you.
We've been going through a bit of a rough patch lately. For some reason you're not sleeping through the night. Your mom and I are trying to figure it out -- did we do something wrong? Was there some kind of "sleep training" thing that we messed up?
It's possible. Right now, the easiest way to get you to sleep is to get you out of your crib and hold you until you nod off. The problem is, if you wake up, you won't be able to put yourself back to sleep. You see where I'm going with this?
Anyhow, I know it's not your fault, but that sure doesn't stop me from begging you to somehow find the ability to sleep soundly though the night.
I dunno', bud. I guess you'll figure it out. Some day, I'm sure you'll love sleep as much as your dad does.
In other news, you're turning 1 year old in a couple weeks. It's a pretty big milestone...but I'm sure at this point it'll just be "another day" for you (albeit with a tasty "cake" to rub all over your face). Should be fun...
So, first of all, I forgive you. You didn't do anything wrong...but at the same time, I forgive you.
We've been going through a bit of a rough patch lately. For some reason you're not sleeping through the night. Your mom and I are trying to figure it out -- did we do something wrong? Was there some kind of "sleep training" thing that we messed up?
It's possible. Right now, the easiest way to get you to sleep is to get you out of your crib and hold you until you nod off. The problem is, if you wake up, you won't be able to put yourself back to sleep. You see where I'm going with this?
Anyhow, I know it's not your fault, but that sure doesn't stop me from begging you to somehow find the ability to sleep soundly though the night.
I dunno', bud. I guess you'll figure it out. Some day, I'm sure you'll love sleep as much as your dad does.
In other news, you're turning 1 year old in a couple weeks. It's a pretty big milestone...but I'm sure at this point it'll just be "another day" for you (albeit with a tasty "cake" to rub all over your face). Should be fun...
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Hugs!
Hey Bud,
So...real quick. This morning your mom wanted to take a shower, so she woke me up and asked me to watch you for a couple minutes.
I was more than happy to do so; part of being a dad and husband, I suppose. Anyhow, one of the greatest things on earth is that first moment when you hear my voice. You smile so big and wide...and you've got a mouth full of these tiny, crooked little teeth. But the absolute best part is how you stumble across the room and give me what can only be described as a "big ol' baby hug."
Tell you what, I cannot think of anything better than getting a hug from my son. You have no idea how happy you've made my life, little man. I realize that this is a super-duper über corny post, but I just wanted you to know that.
So...real quick. This morning your mom wanted to take a shower, so she woke me up and asked me to watch you for a couple minutes.
I was more than happy to do so; part of being a dad and husband, I suppose. Anyhow, one of the greatest things on earth is that first moment when you hear my voice. You smile so big and wide...and you've got a mouth full of these tiny, crooked little teeth. But the absolute best part is how you stumble across the room and give me what can only be described as a "big ol' baby hug."
Tell you what, I cannot think of anything better than getting a hug from my son. You have no idea how happy you've made my life, little man. I realize that this is a super-duper über corny post, but I just wanted you to know that.
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