My Baby Started School

Aulton officially started school September 29th. He goes Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 am until 11:45 am. It is a little bittersweet, as I know that he needs someone more trained to start teaching him, but I still feel like he is too little to go to school. Honestly, he's not even three yet. However, he was very excited to go the first day. He didn't even cry when I left him. He is unwilling to wear his backpack, so we will keep working on that.

His teachers feel he is adjusting well, but he definitely needs more time to get used to the routine and schedule. And he is giving those teachers a run for their money. Today (Tuesday) when I picked him up, he has throroughly convinced his teacher, the two aides and the physical therapist that he is unable to walk. He falls down every couple of steps, they say and will slump to the floor as soon as they take his hand. So, they have started transporting him in a wagon. I tried to explain that Aulton is smarter than he is sometimes given credit. When he started to tire of therapy visits, he pretended to fall asleep. He was very convincing. Now, he has found another way to avoid work. I'm glad he is so creative, but I'm sure the jig will be up soon!

Aulton's Sleep Schedule is a NIGHTMARE

Don't let his peaceful expression trick you. In this dream, he's plotting ways to make his mother crazy. I'm kidding, of course. I'm just frustrated with Aulton's sleep schedule and I have been for the last several months. He believes he only needs 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night. I disagree. And so do experts!! We have tried several things to get him to sleep a little longer including

• putting him in his big boy bed (which he hates at night, but will occasionally nap in)
• blocking all light out of his room
• installing a white noise machine in his room
• taking him to the pediatrician for suggestions
• giving him melatonin at night
• manipulating his schedule for earlier bedtimes, shorter naps, earlier naps, later bedtimes, no naps, etc.
• buying a sleep book
• letting him listen to a CD to fall asleep

Nothing has worked! Aulton generally wakes at 4:30 or 5:30 am no matter what time he goes to bed. Lately, however, he has been waking between the hours of 12:50 am and 3:30 am wanting to get out of bed and start the day. This makes his nap schedule really strange and unpredictable, which I hate. It makes it very difficult for me to plan our day. Also, he ends up being pretty tired more often than a 2 1/2-year-old should be because I really can't let him nap all day.

His saving grace, along with the fact that he is so darn cute, is that he is fairly good at entertaining himself when he does wake up early. I'm hoping the start of preschool in a week and half!! will make a big difference. We'll have to wait and see.