Sleep... Welcome back!

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try!" Unknown

 

So you guys probably remember me starting to sleep train Anya, and if you don't you can look back at my 'self soother' blog post to read about it! Well it has been about a month and I wanted to give you guys a but of an update on how things have gone!

 

So March 28th I read the sleep sense manual and on the 29th decided that putting it into action was definitely what I needed! I spent a few days crying, a lot, and so did Anya. It was anything but easy but it was also something I knew her and I both needed! The first few days were a challenge and I wanted to cave and just cuddle her to sleep so bad but I knew in the long run that was not what I wanted! I knew that I didn't want to be waking up and soothing my one year old back to sleep at 3am. I knew that Anya needed to be getting at least 10 hours of sleep to be well rested for the day. And I knew that if I went any longer going off 5 hours of sleep a night it would start effecting me as a wife and mom. So I toughed it out!

1 night and 3 naps, that's how many sleeps Anya cried for more then 20 minutes. 4 nights and 5 naps, that's how long it took for her to stop crying completely! We are now over a month of the same schedule and routine and at nap she doesn't even make a noise the moment she goes to bed she rolls over and closes her eyes. At night she talks to her self for maybe 5 minutes before she is out, but again, NO crying! And best of all when she wakes up from nap and in the AM there is no screaming or crying! She just lays in bed talking to herself till we go get her!

I don't know where I would be if I didn't start sleep training and well I don't really want to know either! I encourage every momma I know to try sleep training and I promise you won't regret it one bit! ♥♥

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7 Months ♥

"Though she be but little, she is fierce." William Shakespeare



 

7 months old and I can't believe how smart you have become! She weighs 15lbs 8oz and is about 27 1/2 inches. Anya loves to stand and walk as long as she's holding onto something or someone. She loves her jumper too! She says Dada and Daddy. She actually said it to john for the first time on his birthday! She still is on puréed foods although I do give her bread and things that will just mush in her mouth to get her used to different textures and so far she is doing awesome!

 

 

I can remember when her monkey was bigger then she was and now she towers over it no problem! She still hasn't figured out crawling although she gets up on her knees but when she get there she just shakes. I honestly think she will walk way before she ever figures out how to crawl. Sometimes it makes me so sad and others I just wish she would walk cause it is all she wants to do!

She is currently in love with the toy tractor that a little boy left at our house. If she is playing with it and you take it away she loses it. Its kinda cool to see cause it gives me hope that she has a little bit of a tom boy personality lol. Although I am totally to blame for her being a complete diva!

 

Mommy and daddy love you babe girl your growing so fast and we can't wait to experience everything else coming our way! ♥♥

 

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True Beauty

"We never notice the true beauty because we are to buy trying to create it!" Unknown

John and I recently spent a week in BC for my best friends wedding and I had such a good time! Every time we drive there I always enjoy looking at the view and always hope to see lots of wild life!  I thought that id share some of the beauty the world has to offer with you guys! And if you ever have the chance to drive through the rockies you should take advantage of it for sure! :D

 

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We love our Bully's ♥♥

"I have a dream, that one day I will not be judged by my appearance, but by the content of my character!"

 

I haven't shared much about my animals but I think its time I do!

When John told me he wanted to get a pity I was very apprehensive about it because, like everyone else, I had heard so much negative comments and thoughts about the breed. It took weeks of convincing for me to agree to even go look at the puppies but when I finally did I fell in love! Daz was so cute how could you not right?!

I was so in love with Daz that two years after getting him we rescued Roxie the day we saw her! There was no questions about it! We didn't know Roxie's background but when we brought her home she was terrified of people. She would get scared every time you went to pet her face or brought your hand near her. It was so heartbreaking to see and I don't care what kind of dog it is, dogs are meant to be mans best friend not scared of us!

 

When we found out we were expecting I will be truly honest and tell you that I was VERY nervous about how Roxie would be with the baby but that definitely didn't mean I wasn't going to try it out, and now that Anya is hear and I see them together I am getting sooooo tired of people asking us how the pit-bull is with the baby, and why don't they ever ask how MJ (our Pomeranian) is with her. I don't know if people even bother doing research but you all should know pit-bulls were nanny dogs for a very long time, so that just goes to show how amazing these dogs are! We recently had to put Daz down and that was so heartbreaking for me, and I'm sure its what had me showing signs of pre term labor in August  (the reason I was taken off work). I miss him so much and I know he would have been amazing with Anya! A few moms and I have decided to share a bit on the breed and how they are with our children cause we are all so tired of people discriminating against our dogs, who are also our children and family!

 

ANYA AND ROXIE

 

Since day one Roxie has been attached to Anya's hip. I am more skeptical when it comes to MJ and Anya than Roxie and Anya. I know for a fact that if Anya were to be a little to rough with MJ she would bite her, but Roxie would just get up and walk away or just stay there. She loves her so much that when she hears her cry she is right there checking her out to make sure she is OK. When people come over and pick Anya up Roxie is right there sitting next to them making sure they don't hurt her! Anya loves Roxie so much too!The smile that Anya has when Roxie comes in the room or gives her kisses just lights up the whole world! These two will be best friends for a long time and I look forward to watching them grow together and go through tones of adventures! ♥

 

BLU AND DANE

"This picture pretty much speaks for itself. I rescued Blu when he was about 5 months old. I've had him for 3.5 years and this May he will be 4. From the get go he has always been a very mellow dog, I always say he kind of reminds me of Eeyore. We had him neutered in August of 2012, a few months before our son was born November 1, 2012. My son is now just about 1 and a half and Blu puts up with his wild, crazy, high energy. At times he doesn't want to be bothered, but mostly because he just wants to be a lazy bum and sleep. I can't wait to see their relationship really start to take shape as Dane gets older and mellows out himself a little bit lol! I imagine one day Blu will be sleeping at the foot of Dane's bed, and they will spend many days outside running around together. It's really something special watching the 2 of them together. I kind of don't want to be cliché and say "its all about how you raise them", even though to an extent that is extremely true. I really think it's a combination of things that will ensure the safety of your child, which hold true for any dog owner. Be responsible. It's important to spay/neuter your dog, and essential to maintain their health and keep up on vaccinations. Be aware of your dogs body language especially during play and food times. Train your dog. And the important thing to do, which I can't stress enough, never leave small children alone with a dog. Pit-bulls are amazing family dogs, and we'll probably always have one, although I don't know if I'll ever own another one as cool as Blu. He is truly one of a kind. It's a shame the negative stereotype they have."

 

BENTLEE AND CAMBRIA

"This is when Cam was a newborn! That's Bentlee our pitbull, we always get negative comments but I dont see why. I've had a lot of dogs before & I was skeptical on getting a pitbull. But Bentlee is the sweetest dog we have ever had. He LOVES Cambria. He cries when she cries, he will poke us with his nose to make sure we go get her. If we are burping Cambria he HATES it. He starts pacing and crying because he thinks we are hurting her. She loves Bentlee as well. He lets her pull on his ears & pinch him."

 

HONEY AND AUBREE

I think these pictures speak for themselves ♥

 

ROXY AND EATHEN

"When I tell people that I have a 16 month old son they smile and ask to see a picture if he isn't with me. And then I tell them I have two American pit bull terriers and the reaction completely changes. Until I show them the love between my younger dog and my son. You can clearly see that they are best friends and have been since the first day we brought Eathen home. It isn't the breed that defines the way a dog thinks, reacts or feels. If you teach a dog trust, love and friendship it doesn't matter how big or little, they become more than just a dog. They become family."

 

MOKA

"Discrimination is a very powerful word, it is described as "Action based on prejudice or racist beliefs that results in unfair treatment of individuals or groups; unjust conditions in areas such as employment, housing and education”

 

 We are taught at a young age, or at least we should be, to not discriminant anyone for the color of their skin, beliefs or who they choose to love. Why is breed discrimination treated any different? Why has our society now chosen to hate the breed of Pitt Bulls?

My husband and myself are VERY proud owners of an eight month old pitty, her name is Moka, she is the most even tempered, loving, affectionate dog I myself have ever owned. Her and my seven month old son are the best of friends, I can lay him on a baby mat while I do dishes and she will lay right beside him the entire time. He loves her to pieces, and if she gets up to get even a drink of water which is only a few feet away from him, he will start to cry. When she returns he smiles and even laughs. Moka has never once shown any aggression towards myself, our son my husband or any of our friends. That being said, she is a dog, when someone comes to HER door yes, she will bark, make sure the person entering her home is OKAY, once my husband or myself welcome them in she will go right back to her happy self.

What needs to be understood about any breed, not specificity Pitt Bulls, Dobermans or German Shepard’s is there is no such thing as a bad bad dog, there are only bad owners. Think of it this way, is a child born with aggression, hate and anger? If you answered no, please think of it that same way for a dog. No animal is born bad, no animal is born mean, it is taught and learned by bad owners.

My husband spent a good portion of his adult life rescuing and rehabilitation abused Pitt Bulls. From many different cases that go as far as dog fighting rings to bad owners and some from homes who just couldn’t take care of their furry family members. He found forever homes for them and he always tells me it was the best thing he has ever done.

We own three dogs all together and each one is as friendly as the next, why? Because we treat them as we want to be treated, love, affection and a walk every day. It is the best feeling in the world coming home from a long day to three waging tails at the door happy, why? Because they are loved and cared for by amazing owners.

 

PLEASE STOP BREED DISCRIMINATION. TREAT YOUR DOGS WELL AND THEY WILL LOVE YOU IN RETURN"

 

Thank you everyone for sharing! I hope that we were able to show you not to judge a dog by it's breed!

 

 

    

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Beacause being a mom is...

"Motherhood is a choice you make everyday to put someone else's happiness and well being ahead of your own. To teach the hard lessons to do the right thing, even when you don't know what the right thing is. And to forgive yourself over and over for doing everything wrong." Donna Bell

 

When you ask a mom what its like being a mom, they either tell you how great it is or how much it sucks. I always hear "being a mom is so hard" or "I love being a mom its amazing". Then there are moms who will tell you how much work being a mom is and about how much they give and do for their kids, not saying we don't give or do a lot for our children.

 

First I want you to know how much Anya has given and done for me! She has given me the opportunity to know what its like to feel unconditional love. She has given me the ability to feel emotions I didn't even know I had! Everyday she gives me a million and one reasons to smile. When I look at her I can see my whole world in her eyes! Every day she smiles and it fills my heart with so much love and joy! She has taught me what true patients really is. She has shown me what true beauty is and has given me the most amazing gift I could have ever asked for!

 

I have few friends and even a couple family members who know how much of a blessing being a mom really is. When I think of what being a mom really is, hard, exhausting, amazing or rewarding, are some of the last things that come to mind. When you become a mom your given many gifts.The gifts of life, unconditional love, happiness, and family. Being a mom is a gift that a lot of woman wait a very long time to receive, some that never get the chance! I love every bit of being a mom and am beyond grateful that I've been given such an amazing gift!

 

Because being a mom is... A GIFT! ♥♥

 

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Self Soother ♥

"The most important thing she'll learn is that there is no way to be a perfect mother but a million way to be a great one!" Jill Churchill

You know that thing called sleep?! Something we all took advantage of until we decided to have kids, I really miss it! Not like, "oh I could really use a good nights sleep." more like "I think I could sleep for an entire month"! There has been a picture that has been floating around social media, you've probably seen it I'm pretty sure almost every mom I know has shared it! 

You've seen this right?! Aren't you tired of feeling like this?! As I'm sure you all know I love Anya so much but seriously?! Come on child your killing me over here!

 

In the beginning because Anya was early id wake up with her but id also sleep with her till noon! Then i used to boast so much about how much of an Amazing sleeper Anya was. She would sleep from 10 till 5 then go back to sleep till 7:30! I was in sleep heaven, well for a new mom at least! I don't know if this is karma for being so stoked on how well she slept but since just after Christmas I dont think there has even been a week that she has kept a schedule for sleep! Some nights she's up three times sometimes once sometimes she sleeps right through! I am beginning to wander what's worse, getting up multiple times every night or this crazy schedule she's got going on.

 

I posted on Facebook the other day asking if anyone would enlighten me with their sleeping secrets and got a few awesome ideas, but there was one in particular that stood out to me and three people sent it to me, so it's gotta work right?!

 

When I started reading the book I was pretty excited but scared at the same time. As much as I wanted a NEEDED sleep I love the cuddles Anya and I have at night and I think a part of me just wanted to have that forever. But come on who am I kidding physically I don't think I could go much longer, I was getting so sleep deprived I left my house in two different shoes and one was Johns! Yeah I think I needed this!

 

The steps are simple and easy to follow I thought! The first few things we needed to do. One remove all the things Anya depends on to go to sleep. Then establish an early bed time and routine that is between 20 & 30 mins and has your child, in my case, in bed between 7 & 8:30. We always kinda had a routine it just never started at the same time and Anya already had a pretty early bed time (between 7 & 7:30) so we only needed to establish a set time to start Anya's routine.

 

And a last was put your child to bed awake! Sounds pretty simple I guess minus the fact that they cry! Yeah I said it you kid is gonna cry. I'm already pretty big on not tending to Anya at her littlest cry so I didn't think this would be to hard. John gets mad cause I typically laugh when Anya cries and yeah that seems mean but I laugh cause I don't want to cry cause I feel extremely guilty for letting her cry and I dont want to cry! But if there is one thing I have to thank this book for its helping me understand that it is ok! I already to a point believed it was ok but I still felt very guilty and bad about it!

 

We are now on Day three and have done two nights following the steps the first day Anya cried for about 15 -20 mins before she fell asleep and was up once in the night. The first set of naps we did were REALLY hard she cried for 45 mins while I cried downstairs not wanting to cave but feeling so bad! She did fall asleep tho! That night we did her bed time routine and I prepared for lots of crying seeing as that's how the day went. She didn't even cry for ten mins before she was asleep and slept from 7:30 till 7!!! Today we have done one nap with a total of two mins if crying!! We are only on day three and I'm sooooo Happy with the results so far!!!

 

I encourage every mom new and ones who have more then one kid to read the sleep sense manual! I am so thankful that John's cousin, his cousins husband and my friend Chelsea shared it with me and I am happy to pass it on to anyone who would like to give it a try!! Leave me your email and I will forward it!!

 

Happy sleeping Everyone! ♥♥♥

 

 

"Sleep is the golden chain that binds health and our bodies together!" Thomas Dekker

 

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