Getting help

I've finally taken the step to consult a doctor for Xander's sleep issues.  It's wearing on me.  He's not sleeping more than 5 hours at night (that's a good night!).  I don't get help from Nick.  It was time to get help.  Thursday he will be seen.  The darn doc will probably just say be more consistent and get him on a routine.  He's right, yes.  We have a semi routine since moving, but have had many disrupted weeks.

Xander has always had trouble going to sleep.  Since before he was one he has hated going to sleep.  I always say that the problem is because he slept with us until he was 10 months old.  He needs the comfort of knowing we are right there.  For him, that means still sleeping with us.  When we attempt to make him "cry it out", it goes on for hours and disrupts everyone's sleep.  Nick, he LOVES his sleep and does not want to be bothered.  Sterling, she LOVES her sleep, but lately has been easily woken up by the loud cries Xander protrudes for hours on end.  Me, well, I can't sleep when he's screaming.  I can ignore him, but I still can't sleep until I know he's sleeping.  Since moving to our new home, there has been a lack of sleep.  It's not good ya'll!

For the past week, it's gotten bad.  In the middle of the night, I will hear him downstairs walking around.  That's happened 3 times.  Scary!  He's started sleeping on the floor by our door, making sure it's open too.  He wakes up every 30-45 minutes.  Stays up for 20-30 minutes.  Does the whole process again and again.  All. night. long!

Last night I had the last of it.  I was tired.  I put up with it for 2 hours then just couldn't do it.  I was tired, I needed sleep.  After he called out for daddy and started walking into the laundry room, I knew he was still sleeping.  Just up and roaming.  I brought him to our bed at 10, even there, he was still crying out as he slept.  Very restless.  I still couldn't sleep with him in our bed because I had to make sure he wasn't touching Nick and disrupting his sleep.  That's one angry bear when he don't get enough sleep.  So, at midnight, I moved Xander and I to his bed.  I was able to get some zzzz's.  Not peaceful.  But I got some rest.  I'll take it!  He was very restless, still crying out, and moving all around.  

What is going on?  I'm not sure if the doctor will be able to help any, but it's worth a shot.  Does he already have nightmares?  Are there "monsters" in his room?  He does say he's scared.  All. the. time!  But don't all little kids say that to get out of something?

We don't have anymore trips scheduled until Christmas, so hopefully we can get him to something a little more normal.  Soon please.

We've tried closing his door to keep him in.  Doesn't work since he opens it.

We've tried putting the child door knob cover on, he slams it off faster than we put it on.

We've tried putting a child gate up.  Doesn't work since he climbs it.

We tried putting a gate at the top of the stairs so he won't go downstairs and wander.  It works at night, but not at naptime.  I found him climbing it one afternoon.  Now, I'm afraid to even put it at the top of the stairs because he could climb over it and fall down the stairs.  Not safe.  We have a monkey to protect.

Hoping for some answers and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's soon!

Have a great day!

Vegas

We took a family vacation to Vegas on the 10th.  It was a rather quick vacation but it was so nice to see my sister and her family.  The kids loved playing with the girls, but preferred Jayla.  Most likely because Jayla is closer in age than Alicia.  We arrived Friday early afternoon.  Went back to my sisters to have a bite to eat, and greet the girls from school.  Sterling got carsick in my sisters car.  Maybe she was upset because my sister got us lost and took the long route home?  We headed off to the pumpkin patch near their home.  It was a lot of fun and Xander went down many jump slides.  Sterling went down one and was done.

Jayla took Sterling up the slide for us, but in the end, Renee (my sister) ended going up to help

Xander loved this obstacle course jump house/slide

On Saturday we celebrated my sister's husbands retirement from the Marines.  It was supposed to be a party, but it ended up being just a gathering.  Much more my style anyways.  It was fun.

Xander all tuckered out on uncle Jansen

On Sunday early afternoon we headed back to the airport.

Sterling and I had a window seat and she loved looking out the window

Xander hamming it up!

The kids did great, minus the lack of naps, but it was expected.  I plan to go again this spring/summer and will definitely spend more than 2 days.  There is so much to do and I look forward to it.

Have a great day!

Zoo

I took the kids to the zoo yesterday.  It was a really nice day.  The kids listened so well.  The weather was just right.  And we had a great time!  We concentrated on the monkeys, tigers, koi fish, aquarium, dinosaur alive exhibit...and the best part?  The tram ride of course!  

I decided not to take the stroller and let the kids walk.  Probably the best decision made.  I was hoping I wouldn't regret it, and I didn't.  We are already planning a trip next week.  But we'll concentrate on other animals and of course end with a tram ride.  

We are heading to Vegas this weekend.  Going to spend some time with my sister and her husband.  I need to go on a hunt tomorrow for some nausea medicine for Sterling.  We don't need another episode from our landing on our last flight.  Any recommendations?  Benadryl does not work for her.

Have a great weekend!

Kansas City part 2

Our 3rd day, Friday, was spent at Legoland, Liberty Memorial, and a drive around the city.

First up was Legoland.  Again, because of the time of year, it was dead inside.  Again, worked to the kids' advantage so we would let them run around and explore. We took a ride on the roller coaster thingy ride.  I have no idea what it was called, but the kids loved it!

We were greeted by this lovely worker lady.

Then we headed over to get weighed

Of course they weigh the same

I saw this cute lego girl and told Sterling to go give her a hug.  That's as close as she got

But then Xander stood there and looked at her.  He said, I do it mom.  He ran up to her and gave her a big hug!  Ha!  Love it!

There were these cute lego bins all over and we played in several

Xander is obsessed with building cars

Sterling loved digging out all the cupcake pieces and Daddy showed her how to piece them together

we then went into the look alike legos.  it was pretty neat at all the details.

this speedway was by far the favorite though

After the meltdown of having to leave the fun behind, we headed to Panera Bread for lunch.  Then we were off to the Liberty Memorial.  What a hike it was to see this!  It was worth it though, so much fun!

Nick took Xander to run around and explore

and I stayed back while Sterling was taking a much needed nap

because Xander wouldn't take a nap after we got to the hotel, we decided to head out for a drive.  Of course that would work :)

As we were walking back from dinner, we saw people staring up in the sky.  So of course I had to check it out.  There were a million bazillion birds flying and hovering.  It was bizarre!  I felt like I was in another movie, just not sure which one this time.

Saturday morning we headed home.  I wasn't feeling to well for the drive, but we made home without a mess.

We had a great trip and can see many more trips to KC in the future.

Have a great day!

Kansas City part 1

We headed to Kansas City Wednesday after Xander got out of PDO.  He had a great day also.  He is starting to come out of his shell.  This is big because he's known as the serious one and is often found off to the side playing by himself.  He don't talk much to others when we are out, which is good, but also concerning.  That day, he was talking to his teacher Mrs. Kelly, telling her all about Mickey.  Little steps = big moments!

Back to Kansas City...we hit the road about 3 and got into KC around 515.  Not too bad of a drive.  After we checked into the hotel, we decided to go over to the crown center, walk around, and have dinner.  First up, we got to the center around 6.  As we're walking over there from the hotel (Sheraton), the streets are dead.  Maybe the city actually eats at home?  We get into the center and its dead also!  My mouth drops.  My eyes wander.  My mind is racing.  What the heck is going on?  It's only 6:10 pm.  I saw a security officer so I decided to ask him what was going on that no one was around.  He said that everything closes at 6 on Wednesdays.  I felt like we were in an episode of The Walking Dead.  No kidding!  We walked back to the hotel and ordered pizza.

All the pictures are from the phones, so quality is not the best.

Our view from our room

The other half of the view

Kids checking out the view.  This window was an absolute favorite.

Thursday morning we woke up and went to Sea Life aquarium.  We all loved it!  Once again, the area was dead.  But it worked to our advantage because we let the kids walk after we got past the first exhibit.

Oh, Xander, kissing stingrays!

Who says tantrums belong at home?  This boy can throw a tantrum!  Of course we're still at that lovely age where it's impossible to leave anything we were doing.  Melt. Down. Central!!

After we calmed Xander down from having to leave the aquarium, we went across the road to eat at Crayola Cafe.  It wasn't the best, but the kids chicken tenders and fries were ok.  

After lunch it was time to head back to the hotel and take naps.  You know, the most important part to ANY day!  Naps didn't happen, they fought em, and won.  But they laid down for 2 hours, so what the heck.

It was then time to head to a park.  We did a lot of driving around, checking out local neighborhoods.  We found this fun part at one of them.

After no nap, this little man had his eyes closed by 7:32 pm!  He was tired!

This girl, well she was just having a good time, in her bed!  She was sleeping by 8.

And that was our first 2 days

Have a great day!