+ Sleep +
So, we tried out our new game plan last night, with measured success! You fell asleep on the couch after your bath and I put you to bed like usual. Off to a good start. You woke up at about 9:45, when I wasn't quite asleep yet (thank goodness). And the new plan was in motion. I came into your room, gave you your binkie, murmured loving things and put you back down. Then I went to lie down on the twin bed in your room and waited. You whimpered once, and I told you, "Lie back down. I'm still here." That was it. I waited for about 15 minutes to make sure you were back asleep and went back to my own bed.
 
Round Two came at about 2 a.m., which is par for the course. This is the one when I always cave in and bring you to bed, even on the best of nights. Not last night. I went back to your room, put your binkie in your mouth and tried to lay you down. You weren't particularly interested in staying down and cried intermittently for a while. Mostly you did a loud snuffle of indignation with a whimper or two every once in a while. Each time, I'd softly say, "Lie back down. I'm still here." I said it further and further apart, and you stood in your crib and watched me in the dark for about 15 minutes before finally lying back down. I wanted to wait to make sure you were really asleep before leaving, and woke up 2 hours later. Obviously, I went to bed then and woke up before you this morning in my own bed when the alarm went off.
 
It's not a perfect solution, but what I like about it is (a) You are re-learning how to put yourself to sleep without physical intervention by me, (b) You are confident, knowing I'm there and you're safe, (c) I have a nice place to rest and wait -- or sleep -- while you're drifting back off. We worked the plan out with Daddy a couple of days ago so he knows if the alarm goes off in the morning, he has to come and get me if I'm in your room. Hopefully the transition period will be somewhat short and you'll be sleeping straight through again in your own bed soon.

But we're getting there!