NEW SLEEPING ROUTINE BY PATRICK

“SAY HELLO TO NEWBORN AND GOODBYE TO YOUR PILLOW”.

I AM IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND AT THE RIGHT TIME

Hi, my name is Patrick, I haven’t slept a single night for the first three years of my life. My causes are not colic or teeth (the first ones fell out only after 10 months, very late, but also painless). I just didn’t sleep for no reason. I also didn’t like naps during the day. When I was one year old, I stopped sleeping in the Nursery, as the only one in the group.

In the first weeks of my life, I pooped a lot often, after almost every feed, and also at night. And I hated the feeling of a dirty bottom so I screamed until someone changed my nappies. Sometimes 11 times a night. Once upon a time, my battered Daddy tried to give me a new diaper and I shot at him substance, like Mentos thrown in Coca-Cola. The pressure was so powerful, that hit Dad’s shoulder and over his shoulder, it hit the wall, and landed on the window. Mom has a video of this show so far, and Dad said that a small butt cannot have that much material (because I weighed very little 2kg 750g\6.05 pounds).

I already know that I hate the stroller, car seats (here my dear grandfather, who put me in the car seat ones, still has a mental trauma), or belts on the plane. Anything that held me tight and wouldn’t let me move. The only thing that could squeeze me, was the baby carrier or slings in which both Mommy and Daddy hugged me. I also slept best in a baby carrier, but when my parents tried to put me back in the crib, I opened my eyes right away.

SO FAR SO GOOD

Someone said to my Mommy, that the first year with a baby is always hard, and the second year is peace of cake. Well, in my case, they were also wrong. Maybe at night, I don’t get up 11 times, only 4 or 5 times, because I also do less poop, but I get up with the first ray of sunshine at 5, 5:30 max. With a smile and full of energy, as a two-year-old boy, I went crazy without a nap until evening. I’m a very active boy but also very happy.

Carrying me in slings or a baby carrier bag doesn’t work anymore. I’m from 11 months walk on my own. My Mommy had friends who could happily drink coffee because their children were playing with their toys in the pram. And I, run, scream, cry, and I need attention all the time. I walk, so I want to be free and get the most out of it, not sit in the pram. I ran away from my parents anytime and anywhere. My adorable Daddy bought me a scooter for two year birthday, it was my beloved gadget. My Mom couldn’t catch her breath, I was so fast.

I also have a bike, I managed to ride a few people on it, and they survived, but my sweet Mommy had to apologize and took the bike from me.
And how many wounds I have, scratched knees, elbows. Once on a scooter, I broke my lip, and on a bike, I flew through the handlebars. Mom says she’s ashamed to go to Nursery with me. But I don’t feel any wounds, I just feel joy and fun.

I’M BIG BOY NOW

Months passed and even after a day of activity, whether in the Nursery or playgrounds, I still woke up early.
I was laughing secretly as the family talked to my Mom: “Today he’ll be exhausted after a day at the pool, playground, and walks. You will see he’ll sleep like a little bunny.” It didn’t happen that way.

One time my Grandma had a great idea and said to my Mommy: “Don’t put him down at 7 p.m, let him sit until 10 p.m.”
I am asking for what? As always I woke up at 5:30 a.m. well rested. Only my parents and grandparents couldn’t get out of bed until 6.

I am still active, but I also like to be alone, play myself, and watch cartoons. Now I don’t run away from my Mom and I don’t have as many accidents as before. New skills appear in my personality:

• forcing by crying – I want a new toy here and now.
• picky with food – I hate broccoli today, but I loved it yesterday.

I’m slowly turning into a big boy. And at night I only wake up for wee-wee or because of a nightmare. My Mommy boasts to everyone that after three years, I finally sleep well at night. She also says that the sleepless nights will come back because my little sister will be born soon.