When Marin was a couple weeks old, Leann asked me if there was anything about being a parent that was different than I expected and if there was anything that I assumed it would be that way and it turned out to be as I expected. Well, Leann's question was way better worded than that, but you get the general idea.

At the time, I told her that sheer lack of sleep and being so dang tired that you couldn't function was something that I both expected and didn't expect at the same time. I still agree with that statement. Marin seems to sleep all the time but at inopportune times. I hate the "sleep when the baby sleeps" mantra because it is virtually impossible. Anyone that has ever been the parent of a newborn knows that they sleep in the weirdest places, during the weirdest times of the day. Take some of Marin's favorites for example.
1) During lunch or dinner out at a restaurant. It is kind of hard to catch a nap between your appetizer and main course.
2) In the car. Sleeping while driving is probably frowned upon by law enforcement.
3) While going for a walk in his stroller. I guess we could nap standing up like a horse, but I don't think we'd be able to see cars coming down the road if we had our eyes shut while pushing him.
4) While we cook a meal at home. Besides, by the time you cook said meal, he's already up again anyway.
5) At any appointment or engagement such as a dentist or doctor's visit. It is tough to curl up on waiting room chairs and you have no idea what kind of germs are on them so this one won't work either.

He is doing some better on his sleep habits. He does sleep at night some, usually in 2.5 or 3 hour blocks. During Matthew's night shifts, he has slept a few 4 hour blocks, but I am never that lucky. According to everyone we've talked to and quite a few "experts" he should sleep through the night by 8 weeks. Sleeping through the night isn't as exciting as it sounds though because doctor's consider sleeping through the night to be sleeping at least 5 hours at once. I'd settle for that though, in a heartbeat! Marin likes to eat too much to sleep that long. He wants to eat at a max 4 hours from the last time he ate. His pediatrician said we can let him sleep through a night feeding if he will do it, but apparently Marin didn't get the memo. He is the best little alarm clock. I haven't had to set one since he's been born!

Having him in our room has helped tremendously. It was something I said I'd never do, but I'm eating my words. The baby monitor in his room doesn't pick up his crying until he is in full meltdown mode. If he sleeps where we sleep, we can hear him before he gets totally upset and fix the problem before it turns into something that will fully wake him up. It is much easier to cram his pacifier back in his mouth from 3 feet away than it is to have to walk across the house to his nursery to do it. I am looking forward to him moving to his own room though because I have a hard time sleeping with him in our room. He makes lots of noises throughout the night, in his sleep, that keep me awake. He snores, grunts, whines, you name it and it is all when he is sound asleep. Matthew says it doesn't bother him but I'm still a zombie in the mornings after listening to his all night chorus. At present, we are taking time about getting up with him at night. One night Matthew does it, the next night I do. When it is my night off, I can wear earplugs and that does help. Plus if he gets really wound up, Matthew brings him out into the living room. It is pretty funny when it is my night to watch him, he can make all the noise he wants and it doesn't bother Matthew so half the time I just lie in bed and chuckle at all Marin's random (and very loud) sounds. When you are a new parent you soon discover that just lying in bed even if you aren't getting any sleep is better than no rest at all!

I guess that is all I have to complain about today. :) I love everything about having a baby except the lack of sleep. That I could do without. Well, that and the absolute blow out diapers that he usually has in the middle of a shopping trip. We've had to come home from a store at least twice to wash his car seat. Oh yes, I said the car seat. He has had a couple diapers that were so bad that his clothes were a mess, he was a mess, and his car seat was toast. Good thing the car seat covers are machine washable! The bad thing is, the car seat covers can't be dried in the dryer and once they are washed it takes all night to air dry them. We've started putting a cloth diaper or other cloth under his butt in both his car seat and Zen chair. Of course, he hasn't had a single blow out in either chair since we've done this. :)

I'll close on a nice, positive note and tell you my favorite things about being Marin's mom.

1) Snuggling with him and sniffing him (yes, I said sniffing. ha.ha.). He always smells good.
2) Seeing him smile.
3) Playing with him. He is so amused by my reading books to him, making funny faces and sounds, and shaking his rattles at him. He is the easiest audience.
3) Hearing everyone say how cute/handsome/adorable my baby is when we take him out. :)
4) Watching he and Matthew together. They are a riot. I always tell them, "That makes me sick!" because they are always together snuggling or playing. Marin really likes his dad and I think the feeling is mutual. :)
5) Taking his picture. He's an easy baby to photograph, very cooperative. I'm sure that will change when he becomes mobile.

Well, he's up from his nap so I'd better go. I'm sure he has a fun surprise in store for me, like a wet soggy diaper. Nice.