Calm After the Storm

Well the week of total chaos has come to a close and life is returning to normal- normal is still busy but nothing like last week. The SERVE project went well in many ways- no serious injuries, everyone made it home in one piece, we maintained power after a huge thunderstorm that took power from everywhere around us, the teens and leaders seemed to enjoy it and get something out of it. All in all I'd say success. Wow was it exhausting. Even with Ben's new found ability to sleep more or less through the night it was totally draining. Thanks to Brian's mom who came for the week and was a huge help.

Ben has proved that he is able to sleep through the night. I'd say he's about 3 for 7....slept almost straight through 3 nights of the last 7. 3 of those he woke up maybe once or twice, 1 of those was a marathon night for mommy and baby alike. When he does sleep longer stretches, I'm finally starting to adjust to it and unfortunately get used to it :) I'm not waking up every few hours thinking I should go in and check on him.

We aren't sure why there was such a sudden switch in Ben's sleeping patterns......I'm not going to question it, not going to wonder....just be THANKFUL! A few theories....

- ACTIVITY. For those of you who have parented a 9 month old, or babysat a 9 month old, you'll know the feeling of sounding like a broken record "no..no...no," the ache in the back from picking up 20 + pound children and holding their hands in the air while they "walk." Ben does not sit still. Not for a second. He is on the go. Go Go Go Go. He's probably exhausted at the end of the day from all the movement.

- Solid foods. Brian's mom did a wonderful job getting Ben to eat all kinds of new foods. He ate everything from potatoes, to fruit, to glorified expensive Gerber tomato puffs that look like cheetos. Something he really liked strangely enough...pesto. I gave him some pasta with pesto on it and he actually liked it. The kid who wouldn't eat any baby food likes pesto. Go figure. Refined taste buds. Maybe the solids are filling him up more so he can go longer at night?

- Answered prayer? On Sunday our pastor was talking about praying for dumb things. I don't think this qualifies. I have prayed many times that Ben would sleep more at night. For his sake- he needs rest. For our sake- we need rest. Him not sleeping was definitely a lesson in patience and waiting on the Lord.