– Thank you all so much for your sleep suggestions. I decided to RELAX about the whole thing and let him just do his thing. You’re right, he’s only 10 weeks old and it’s not like he’ll be sleeping in the swing when he’s four. (I mean, I hope not.) He has no interest in the pacifier, and I have to admit, when you were all suggesting swaddling I was all, yeah, NO.
Owen started busting out of his swaddle at about three weeks old and wanted nothing to do with it. NOTHING. Even if he was wrapped tightly, he would grunt and struggle until he freed his arms, so it was a big old waste.
But then.
Then, I read your comments and thought, what the hell. I’ll try it again. So I nursed him, turned on the sound machine, swaddled him TIGHT and put him in the crib.
He slept for three hours.
THREE HOURS IN THE CRIB.
And it wasn’t a fluke, because he did it again last night, and is currently going on hour two tonight as I write this. He certainly doesn’t sleep as long in the crib as he does in the swing, but he’s asleep. IN the crib. After that first stretch he wakes up around 11-ish to nurse and then I do put him in the swing to get a long stretch (as much for his well-being as for my sanity), but I would say this is progress.
(Even though I keep tip-toeing in to make sure he’s breathing because I just can’t believe it.)
So thank you, all mighty mommy geniuses.
– We were in the garden center at Lowe’s today snatching up some drastically reduced (60 percent off!) patio furniture and there were birds everywhere. Birds. Flying around in Lowe’s. Crapping on the patio furniture.
Am I the only one who thinks this is weird and actually pretty gross? It’s not an arboretum or the rare birds display at the Bronx Zoo…it’s Lowe’s. I guess they get in through the loading docks or something, but all big stores have loading docks. I’ve never seen birds flying around Kohl’s or the grocery store. I spent a good portion of the time there peering suspiciously at the ceiling to make sure one didn’t poop on Owen’s head as he hung out in the Baby Bjorn.
– When I asked you all for lunch suggestions a few months ago you gave me such good ideas. So I need your help again. Six o’clock or so is the witching hour and that means fuss, fuss, fussing (the baby, not me), (OK, sometimes me too); so I need make-ahead dinner ideas. Meals I can prepare when the baby is sleeping during the day and just pop in the oven (or onto the stove top, whatever) at dinner time. We eat just about everything and yes, I have a Crockpot, although I don’t want to use it every day.
– If I was a single gal and could pick a TV character to date, it would be Jim from The Office. The way he loves Pam is just too freaking sweet.
27 comments
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September 7, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Stephanie
Glad to hear the swaddling worked Molly! I have been sitting back recently reading your blog soaking in all the info you and your readers have on babies, but I just had to chime in on the recipies…kinda….I have a bunch of them that I can copy and paste and email to you, since they are tooo big for a comment box (spaghetti, stew, chicken and rice, roast pork and roast beef, that kinda thing, if you like that stuff, but if not, just ignore the email ;)…Just give me a couple days. Oh yeah, and thanks for heads up on the patio furniture sale at Lowes….I have had my eye on some new cushions for our set….it may just be the right time to go check and see if they are still there!
September 7, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Julie
One of my favorites is a lasagna that can be made with italian sausage or meatless using tofu sausages. It uses a pumpkin sauce rather than tomato, which sounds a bit odd, but even my “meat and potatoes only” family loves it. I adapted it from a Rachel Ray recipe http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/pumpkin-sausage-lasagna/print/
I use ground sausage (if available) instead of link sausage because it removes the decasing and crumbling step. I also substitute mozzarella cheese for the Parmigiano-Reggiano. It’s really easy to get it put together ahead of time and then just pop in the oven. Leftovers (if there are any) reheat well and may even taste better than right out of the oven.
September 7, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Kelli
Glad to hear the sleep thing is going better, hang in there!
Here is my favorite comfort food recipe. It is easy, and can be made ahead of time:
Chicken Spaghetti
1. Boil 2-3 chicken breasts, save the water, shred the chicken, and boil thin spaghetti in the water until very al dente (about 6 minutes).
2. Combine 1 can each of cream of chicken, cream of mushroom (or golden mushroom), and rotel. Stir in chicken.
3. Drain pasta, and stir together with chicken/soup mixture.
4. Pour mixture into a greased, oven-safe dish, put American cheese on top, and bake, covered, for 25-30 minutes at 350.
5. Uncover, and finish baking until cheese is golden and delicious.
6. Serve!
September 7, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Jennifer
Try watching the DVD The Happiest Baby on the Block. It’s all about swaddling and the swing. We hope that the ideas from the DVD help with our baby.
September 7, 2010 at 10:25 pm
kalen
I love Jim too, big time 🙂 Glad to hear you’re making progress with the sleep thing – I’m sure in a few weeks you’ll see even more progress. Good work, mama!
PS) Our LO is the same way about the swaddle. Some nights she’ll tolerate it, other nights she completely freaks out about it.
September 7, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Kari
I think someone mentioned above that lasagna can be made ahead, frozen in serving size containers and then thawed out as needed. Another easy thing is what my mom calls Cavatini. It’s basically pizza without crust. It’s delicious! But easily frozen and thawed out to eat. If you want the full recipe, email me. Finally, something you can make easily involves pork chops, mushrooms, and cream of mushroom soup. It takes about 20 minutes and only five of them are actual work by you. You brown the pork chops on each side, saute the mushrooms, and then dump a can of mushroom soup on top. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. We like to eat it over noodles. Yum!
September 7, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Kim
Have you seen The Naptime Chef (http://www.thenaptimechef.com/)? She blogs entirely about food she makes while her daughter is napping! The recipes always look really good, and definitely easy/nap-friendly 🙂
And yeah, my “famous” Stick It In A Pan, Cover It With Cheese, Bake It recipe is great for making ahead and re-heating. Just take veggies, mostly-cooked pasta (or actually, I prefer chopped up chunks of stale baguette), tomato sauce, herbs, meat if you want (chicken, sausage, whatever, as long as it’s cooked) and cheese and put them all into a baking dish (any size, any shape). Cover with a layer of mozzarella (I may or may not make this with string cheese) and bake for like 30-40 min until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
So comforting and so lazy. I mean easy. 🙂
September 8, 2010 at 12:07 am
Ginger
My favorite is roasted chicken legs. Seriously easy–foil in a baking pan, chicken legs, salt, pepper, bake in the oven for about 1-1.5 hours (we usually do 6 legs) @ 400. Grab some of those frozen steam bagged veggies, and voila–easy peasy dinner.
September 8, 2010 at 2:44 am
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September 8, 2010 at 2:45 am
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September 8, 2010 at 2:45 am
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LOCK! lucky!
September 8, 2010 at 4:49 am
Aly
I’m a big fan of stirfries – they’re so fast, and you don’t have to do much prep. We eat a lot of chicken, but you can do it with beef strips or pork strips as well, if you wanted. Throw in lots of veggies & make a nice sauce or packet mix, and done. Yummy & healthy!
September 8, 2010 at 8:49 am
Brandi
I’m watching the early show right now and they are showing meals to make and freeze – there may be something you’d like 🙂
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/08/earlyshow/living/parenting/main6845007.shtml?tag=cbsnewsSectionsArea;cbsnewsSectionsArea.1
September 8, 2010 at 9:04 am
Anna
I am constantly seeing birds in Lowe’s. So gross! I think they get into my Lowe’s through the garden center.
September 8, 2010 at 9:15 am
Coleen
so glad to hear the swaddling worked, i.e. i was correct! i still highly recommend the swaddler with the velcro, it was honestly the only thing that got my guy to sleep all the way through the night (which was at 8 weeks, btw), and we did it basically until he could crawl (7 months). he still sleeps from 7pm to 5am straight through every night. now if only i could get him to sleep past 5…
continued good luck! (or is it LOCK? lol. stupid spammers)
September 8, 2010 at 10:24 am
Life of a Doctor's Wife
So glad you found a workable sleep solution! Yay!
And I am so with you on the birds. It’s GROSS. I was in an airport recently (Detroit, maybe? Cincinnati?) that had birds flying around and I was PETRIFIED that one was going to crap all over my head and I’d have to arrive at my client’s office with bird crap in my hair. Birds do not belong indoors! (Well, okay, except in some rare instances.)
September 8, 2010 at 11:25 am
Angela
My favorite because it is soooooo easy and yummy! It is a weight watchers receipe but sure doesn’t taste like it.
I put this in the crock pot before i head to work:
1 lb of ground turkey, chicken or lean beef
1 package of hidden valley ranch dressing (i use the fiesta version)
1 package of taco seasoning (i use low sodium)
1 can of mexicorn
1 can of chili beans (i use hot)
1 can of black beans (or if i don’t have these i sometime use pinto beans)
1 can of mexican style tomatoes
1 can of stewed tomatoes
Just open everything and throw it in the crockpot and set it on low. Let it cook for about 8 or so hours. I sometimes add onions, jalepeno’s, peppers, etc… but that is if i feel like actually doing some work for the meal. We usually eat this with quesadilla’s, crackers, etc… again depending on how much time I have. Ha!
September 8, 2010 at 11:43 am
Candice
Try The Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Spaghetti (it’s a casserole you can make ahead and freeze and just pop in the oven whenever you need to). It’s yummy, economical, and makes portions to last for a couple of days (I’ve even eaten it cold).
September 8, 2010 at 11:46 am
Candice
Dur, a link would be nice:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/
September 8, 2010 at 12:39 pm
kes81
Molly,
Here are a couple dinner ideas. The first is a crock pot recipe I tried a couple weeks ago and it’s sooo good! Here is the link:
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/main-dish/recipe-slowcooker-lemon-garlic-chicken-047100
And this recipe would be a good lunch idea or a light dinner. Easy and very healthy. It’s an Italian Lentil salad…eat by itself or with a piece of roasted salmon.
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/italian-lentil-salad-recipe/index.html
September 8, 2010 at 8:13 pm
soula
the birds like Lowe’s because they sell bird food there. i sometimes see some of the bird seed bags pecked open.
September 8, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Molly P
I like to take pre-made Trader Joe’s pizza dough and use it for calzones. I just fold the dough over some kind of stuffing. Anything works- mozzarella & tomatoes or spinach & blue cheese or sausage & provolone. Bake until brown, reheat later. Takes 15 minutes to make. They freeze well too.
September 8, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Crystal
This is a crock pot recipe, but I like it because it is easy and tasty.
Season 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper and lay them in the bottom of your crock pot.
Add minced garlic (fresh or dried) to taste. The original recipe I used suggested 8 cloves which was WAY too much. I would be conservative with the garlic the first time you make it. Especially since you’re nursing!
Add 2 cups chicken stock and 1 cup lemon juice. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 2-4 hours.
When you are done cooking the chicken, turn off your crock pot, then stir in 1 -1.5 cups of instant brown or white rice. Leave for 8-10 minutes, then come back and check your rice. You should end up with a yummy chicken and rice meal, and if I can make it without messing it up then it’s pretty simple.
Glad to hear the swaddle is helping! The first time I swaddled my son he was about Owen’s age, and he slept 7 hours and scared me to death. I woke up convinced he had stopped breathing!
September 9, 2010 at 9:10 am
zoey
i kind of like the birds flying around lowes. they do get in through the garden center. i often wonder if they are able to find their way out.
baked chicken pieces can be eaten hot or cold, season and throw in over for 45 minutes to an hour during the day, can happen while he is napping or even awake.
at dinner time, add a salad or a bag of those green giant healthy style microwave veggies (4 minutes), rice on the stove gets done in 15 minutes.
i am glad he’s starting to acclimate to his crib! 🙂
September 9, 2010 at 9:23 am
Isabelle
Hi Molly! Long time reader coming out the woodwork! I was just wondering how Kodiak and Owen have been getting along. Kodiak seems like a big ball of furry love and I was curious how he was adjusting to sharing the spotlight with the new addition.
Love your blog!
September 9, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Andrea
So glad you are getting some good chunks of sleep in the crib. I LOVE the miracle blanket for swaddling. They have them everywhere but I boiught mine on Amazon. With fall knocking on our door, I love using my crockpot. Here is a link to a few crockpot dishes that go on heavy rotation at my house: http://anewdayrises.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/special-request-crock-pot/
September 12, 2010 at 10:19 am
Rachel
My husband gets home from work early enough, that I can cook while he is with baby. But as far as the swaddling thing, I highly recommend the Miracle Blanket. It is the only “unescapable” swaddle that we found….genius! (when she was ready at 5 months old to leave the swaddle behind, she did eventually “escape” the miracle blanket one night, and that was her last night being swaddled…now she is in sleep sack)