I literally unplugged the television...

...and hid it in my room.

LBB has a slight addiction with TV. Ok. I correct myself. EXTREME obsession with TV. So, on Saturday, I called our cable provider and cut us down to basic cable. (I realized we spent too much time in the evening watching shows when we could be doing other things after LBB went to bed.) On the plus side, hello more time together, less annoying background noise, and about $100 extra a month. Sounds good to me.

And then, this morning, LBB woke up raring to go. At the lovely hour of 4 am. See, LBB doesn't care that we practically eliminated cable, because LBB has a plethora of DVDs to watch...and watch them he does. Now, I can defend myself (slightly) and say that all but one that he regularly watches(Cars, of course) is educational. And of course, I will also state that the majority of the time it was on as background noise.

HOWEVER...

I'm not a big fan of being woken up at 4 am to watch "MiMi's" (firetrucks). I always said when I worked at a big orange retail store that once I quit there I would not wake up before 6 am unless it was for a very good reason.

Firetrucks are not a very good reason, unless they are in my parking lot putting out a fire.

And it was then, as LBB sat yelling because I wouldn't turn that black rectangle that sits prevalently in the living room, that I was convinced LBB had an addiction. And as Mommy, it's my job to reign it in. I tried distracting him. Calming him down. And then, after loads of him yelling, I stood up, disconnected the cables, unplugged it, and put it in my room. And here it sits, unplugged and feeling slightly neglected. :)

For a whole entire day. That's right. LBB went a full day without one single moment of television. And oh, goodness, it was wonderful.

He was less cranky (although he is cranky due to a lovely 2 year molar trying to pop through). He played ALL day. He laughed. He danced. He painted. He played by himself off and on, giving me time to organize my entire craft closet. He learned how to jump. He read TONS of books. He took a very decent 2 1/2 hour nap that Mommy used to catch up on some sleep herself. He had loads of fun in preschool. And he even snuggled with me on multiple occasions. :)

Now...this is only for a few days that the TV hides out in our room. Once we know he's gotten it under wraps a bit, we'll put it back out there, and really stick to our guns on TV time. Some rules we decided on:

1. I am going to make a TV cover. Just something that covers the screen (and doesn't look hideous.) When the TV is covered up, no TV. Period.



2. 30 minutes before dinner. Most days, LBB's choice of what he watches, but if we checked out a DVD that has to do with school that day, then Mommy chooses. And after the 30 minutes, TV is turned off, cover put back on, and that is that.



3. On certain occasions, TV can be a reward...like "LBB, please do such and such." And if he does, 15 minutes of whatever he wants to watch.
   


4. One episode of Veggie Tales on Sunday. That can be his "Saturday morning" cartoons. :)



5. And last, but certainly not least...family movie night once a week. Mommy, Daddy, and LBB have yummy snacks, put our PJ's on, and watch a fun movie. Even if it is Cars each week, that is fine.

I'm not kidding when I tell you that he would easily watch Cars 2 times a day, his Mighty Machines movies for the first 2 hours he was awake, and then random things in between. He would play sometimes while he watched, but not like he should have been. I love watching him learn from these shows (like I Wanna Be a Fireman and whatnot), but it has to be in moderation!!!!

Today was wonderful. It was nice not having it on. And when I told Dear Sweet Hubby that I had told LBB that he could watch TV a little before bedtime, even he said "You know, why don't we try to pass on it tonight." :) (My Dear Sweet Hubby also has a weakness for television.) I'm so glad we did. LBB was read two books by Daddy, snuggled on the couch, and had his yogurt. A wonderful ending to a wonderful day. :)

Fingers crossed tomorrow goes just as well. :)

A Trip to the Wildlife Park

Today LBB and I got to go to the Wildlife Park with his GiGi and Auntie, and he had so much fun! He loved seeing all the animals, and it was so much fun watching him interact with them. And what a nice Wildlife Park! There were deer, chickens, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, llamas, a lynx, elk, a bobcat, racoons, foxes, and more that I am sure I am forgetting. :)

When we got there, we got a bag of animal feed. LBB lovingly fed a goose (which I think may have been his favorite...) and got to feed a deer. He watched the river otter, and then we made our way to the sheep area. He loved feeding them...he started off with just one, but they quickly became a group that obviously had a plan. Because just when we were least expecting it, the main sheep grabbed the feed bag out of my hand!!!! What a stinker! He dumped the food all over the place, and then ate the bag. Serious.

And my poor little LBB...it traumatized him! He stood there just screaming and crying, so his awesome GiGi made sure we rushed to get him another bag. :) It took him a while to get back in the hang of feeding the animals again...but right towards the end he regained his courage and fed one of the baby goats. It was so sweet.

I am so glad we got to go with my mom and sister! LBB had such a fun time and really got to see all the animals he is always learning about up close and personal (and in the case of the sheep, too personal!) There were so many sweet moments, but it's late...and I think that all the extra moments are best just held close to my heart. :) We'll definitely be going back sometime with Dear Sweet Hubby so he can watch our sweet LBB with the animals. :)

And We're Back to Fighting Sleep

Sigh.

LBB has been very headstrong about going to sleep lately. It's funny because he does so well for so long, and then it's like someone flips a switch. He's currently in his room yelling at me because I put him down for a nap...apparently Mommy doesn't know what she's doing. :)

And at first I thought, "Well, maybe he's ready to go down to one nap a day." So I tried it.

Trust me, he's not.

In fact, he was grumpier, stayed up later, and woke up earlier the days we attempted the change.

So, I think he still needs that short morning nap. And then bedtime is another fun, never boring experience.

He's very set in his routine...until he decides that by adding something else to the routine he can prolong bedtime. Here's his routine:

Get ready for bed at 7:50. Get a small sippy of milk (sometimes warmed). Cuddle up with Mommy and Daddy. Watch 10 minutes of a cooking show or something that isn't too stimulating. Give kisses to his Zhu Zhu pets. Brush his teeth (which in itself is a routine...toothbrush wet, toothpaste on, turn on light up toothbrush, turn the bathroom light off, say "ah", brush teeth, and turn light back on.) Have a little Mylicon. Turn on lullabies. Turn on air conditioner/fan. Turn on Spoka night light (from IKEA). Turn on moon light. Turn on cars night light. Get 2 bedtime stories. Lay him down in bed. He sits up. Read stories. Lay down. Get tucks. Cuddle Bearemy. Tuck Bearemy. Have Mommy and Daddy give him his Tickle Me Elmo (turned off for the night, of course). Have Mommy and Daddy give him his other Elmo. Turn Scout's lullabies on. Say goodnight to the letter by his bed (currently it's letter A). Say goodnight to the Sesame Street decals by his bed. Say prayer. Give hugs (two each for Mommy and Daddy, but in this pattern---Mommy, Daddy, Mommy, Daddy.) And last but not least, spin the twirly that hangs above his bed.

Sigh.

It didn't start out so detailed. And it doesn't take long. BUT. If we so much as change one thing in the routine, LBB has to do it all over again. Yes, you could say we are catering to our toddler...I can totally see your point. :) But...

...he's only little once. And if he likes routine, who are we to fight him? Both Dear Sweet Hubby and I tend to be a bit OCD, so it's really no surprise to us that LBB is already showing signs. And while I know it runs in the family, I also know that we are responsible for making sure he's not a nervous wreck...so I don't plan on letting him add any more steps to the already rigid routine. :)

And deep down, we aren't really bothered by this momentary sleep issue. We are pretty used to LBB being stubborn when it comes to sleep, and he has months where he does great, so we just enjoy those and get through the stubborn moments. :)

Come to think about it, I think that's what a majority of parenthood is about...savoring and enjoying the wonderful moments, and just smiling when the not so wonderful moments pop up. Parenthood is a fun ride, full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and by no means is it ever boring. :)

Now I've got to go get LBB...he was supposed to nap before a playdate, but he chose not to, and now it's time to get ready for his friend to come over. :)

A Serious Case of the Grumpies

LBB has been having a grumpy week. I bet you couldn't tell from this picture. :)

But, amidst the grumpies, there have been wonderful moments of cuddling, laughing, and just plain fun, so this Mommy can't complain. All I can do is brace myself when I hear him start huffing (yes, like the big bad wolf), and get ready for the next tantrum.

Ah, the joys of toddlerhood. :)

Biffed It

That's exactly what little man did yesterday. :)

True to his "Never Slow Down" mantra, LBB went running after a big bouncy ball yesterday...lost his footing...and used a patio stone as a landing strip. :( He originally had a chance. He used his hands to slow him down, but all the momentum that was built up in his little toddler self had nowhere to go but forward, and forward he went.

I've got to tell you...there's nothing more heart stopping than seeing blood coming out of your little one's mouth and streaking down his cheeks for the first time. But, once we got him cleaned up and all the dirt and muck off his face, LBB was no worse for the wear minus a patch of scrapes right by his eye. My parents and I were thinking he might get a black eye from it, but today he woke up just fine and no swelling or anything. Phew.

And I have to add...this time last year, if anything happened to LBB, I'd immediately start trying to figure out who was to blame and all that stuff. (You know...overprotective new mommy and all.) But...I'm so proud of myself because in the midst of it all, I got him cleaned up, made sure he was ok, and could honestly acknowlege that it was an accident.

And accidents happen.

And this is not going to be the only one that my active LBB gets into.

And...most importantly...that as Mommy, all I can do is clean him up. Check his boo-boos. Give him a kiss and some comfort. And give the rest to God.

Maybe I'm getting this Mommy thing down pretty good after all. :)

One Going on Terrible Twos

My goodness.

If the terrible two's are worse than this...I'm going to be eligible for sainthood or something. :)

Is it normal for a one-year old to throw a fit that can rival that of a three year old? I'm not sure if it is or not, but it's like someone flipped a switch on LBB. Two weeks ago, he was a sweet, semi-calm (he still had his moments), fairly well behaved little guy. (OK...he did have some issues causing trouble, but in comparison to now, that was nothing. LOL.)

Then BAM! He went from that to throwing himself on the floor, arching his back, screaming, and kicking when he doesn't get his way...which is apparently a lot in his opinion. Up until this evening, all the tantrums were at home.

And then, we went to Target.

And apparently, LBB did not want to do any more Christmas shopping for Daddy. So, he started fussing the moment I put him in the cart. By the time we got to the back of the store, it was full fledged crying. And me, being the softie I am, decided to pick him up out of the cart and push the cart all while holding 25 pounds of toddler.

However, that only pleased him for another 5 minutes or so...by which point he was now squirming, trying to flip out of my arms, and clearly getting frustrated. I let him walk a bit, since apparently that was what he wanted and he felt it necessary to show all the other Target patrons his newfound independence. And his newfound ability to bonk his head on displays.

At which point...

...I did what any good mother would do, but what any independent, stubborn, strong-willed toddler boy would find inapprehensible. I tried putting him back in the cart.

And that unleashed it...the first full-fledged temper tantrum that LBB has thrown in public. I'm talking red faced, screaming, kicking tantrum. Pushing his feet against the cart in an effort to evade my efforts. And, once I got him buckled in, screaming so loud that we made the people in a ten-foot vicinity practially put rocket boosters on their feet and leave the area.

Serious. :)

I was that mom with the screaming kid in the store that couldn't do a whole lot more than try to gently tell him that everything was ok and that he had to sit in the cart.

Thankfully, however, LBB decided within 1 minute or so that his screaming was not getting him anywhere, and had gone back to peaceful, pleasant LBB. Whew.

Needless to say, while I should be cleaning and finishing up a few last minute Christmas gifts, I am sitting in front of this computer, drinking a nice cold Pepsi, and letting my brain "defrag" from a day's worth of temper tantrums. :)

LBB at One Year

OK. So, since I normally did a monthly post about what LBB was up to, I had to remind myself to do it for this month despite the general busyness that has been going on around here! But, it's not so busy anymore (yay!) and life is returning to it's semi-slower pace. :)

From 11 months to 12 months LBB learned lots, and subsequently, became more of a toddler than a baby. :)

• The day after his birthday, he started walking. He had been taking a few steps here and there, but they were mostly "accidental" steps. The day after his birthday, soon after we got home from the doctor, LBB decided that he was ready to walk. And walk he did. Now he walks almost everywhere, and is finally learning how to stand up from sitting position without having to pull up on something.
• Can use a fork or spoon...when he feels like it. He can "stab" his food and feed himself, but more often than not, he'd prefer us to do the "stabbing" and then hand the fork to him.
• He is a chatty little man. He can say actual words when he feels like it, but, same as with walking and nearly every other developmental milestone, only does it when he really feels like it. :)
• Loves reading aloud to us. He'll take the book out of our hands and begin telling us the story. It's absolutely adorable and yet another affirmation that I am doing a good job of instilling a love of reading.
• Loves to play music. On anything and everything...pots and pans. The wall. The table. You name it...if it's a hard, flat surface, it becomes musical.
• Is a BIG fan of sorting things into containers. It's quite comical, because everything needs to be put in a spot. In the bathtub, instead of playing with his Thomas the Train bath toy, he has to put Thomas in the little blue house. He loves his Schleich animals...especially putting them in empty wipe containers. Books go in bins. Blocks go in baskets. And Little People get put under his bed in the trundle. He is very obsessive about sorting!
• He loves fingerpainting. We got him a little smock at IKEA and it is perfect for fingerpainting...now he doesn't require a bath everytime he paints. Just half the time. LOL!
• Is a very fickle eater...I'm not exaggerating here. I am almost always worrying if he is getting enough to eat. His pediatrician says he will eat when he is hungry. But sometimes I think he is just being stubborn even if he is just hungry. But, when he does eat, he is a big fan of jelly sandwiches and mini beef raviolis. Definitely not the healthiest, but I always keep some of each on hand so if worst comes to worst, he is actually eating something. :( We have also had some issues with milk...when he was born, we had to put him on partial-whey formula because his eczema was so bad and that was the only thing that helped. When we switched over to whole milk, that darn eczema popped back up. We are currently trying out soy milk to see if that helps. Fingers crossed that it does!
• LBB is very good at letting us know what he wants. That's nice!!! A far cry from when he was itty-bitty and had to cry for everything. Now he'll point for his water. Reach for a pacifier (which we are adamently working on making disappear.) And even point to which color he wants next when painting.
• Loves the Christmas tree. And since GiGi showed him how to figure out what is in presents, loves to investigate the gifts under the tree. :)
• And he loves throwing things. Sigh. It was cute at first because he laughed like crazy when he did it. But now, it's everything he sees that gets thrown. We went to the library and my ban-shee little boy was throwing books off the shelf. Same at Barnes and Noble. He gets a kick out of winging his Schleich animals across the room. And laughs hysterically when he throws food on Cat #2. Trouble. With a capital T. :)

That's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I will remember more...if I do, I'll post later. I definitely need to round up the weight and height measurements from his last appointment, but I'm not in the mood to right now. :)

One little fall...

LBB was walking tons on Tuesday. Walking tons on Wednesday. And then...on our way to pick up the mail, he fell in the hallway. :)

Not even a big fall...just a little one, but he was not expecting it at all. The poor little man just laid their screaming as I picked him up. A few cuddles later and lots of reassurances that he was fine, LBB seemed much better.

But he also seem much more hesitant to walk. Don't get me wrong. He still walks...it just takes a lot more encouragement on our part and the distances are just a tiny bit shorter. :) However, I am fully convinced that a little bit day by day and he'll be back to chasing Cat 2 and giving me a run for my money. LOL

Oh...and I'm in the middle of watching Pride and Prejudice (the 1995 TV version). I love Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Pure perfection. :) I just had to share. I finished the book yesterday (WOOHOO!!!! A classic novel finished all while chasing around a very active LBB!) so I was very anxious to get my hands on the movie.

Enchanting

That's the best word I can use to describe this past year.

As my LBB turns one, I look back on this past year and am amazed by so many things...how quick it's flown by. And amazed by every little moment of it. All the smiles. All the sleepless nights. All the hugs. All the cuddles.

The firsts...first Christmas. First smile. First Easter. First time crawling. Those first unsure steps (although he is still being stubborn about this. :) He can walk, he just chooses not to.) His first words. And all the little firsts that quietly slip in each and every day as our LBB learns and explores this world.

He is an amazing kid...and I know I'm most likely biased seeing as how I'm Mommy and all that. But everyday he does something that takes my breath away. Does something that amazes me. And something that just plain makes me laugh. If I were to post everytime he did something that struck me as funny, sweet, smart, or just plain adorable...I'd never leave the computer (and as a result, miss all those funny, sweet, smart, adorable moments!)

Not to say that this first year hasn't been filled with moments of worry. Or moments of pure exhaustion. All those typical first year experiences...worrying if my LBB was eating right. Worrying when he bumps his head. Being exhausted that first month when everything in our world was being turned upside down and we had a newborn that we were cherishing but trying to figure out (the joys of first time parenting. :) ) But in the long run, I wouldn't trade any of those trying moments for a thing...those moments make you cherish all the other moments even more.

The moment I held LBB in my arms after those hours of labor, after those months of waiting, I was convinced I couldn't love him anymore than I did at that moment. But, that's the funny thing about being a mother...each and everyday my love grows more and more for him. What I once thought was insurmountable love is trumped every day when I feel like my heart is about to burst from all the love. When he gives me a big sloppy kiss my heart melts into a puddle of goop. And when he nestles up into my neck as we are saying his goodnight prayers, my eyes get misty and I feel like there is no more perfect place to be. Funny thing, love is. Especially love for your child and from your child. This past year I've learned so much about love from such a small little heaven-sent package.

He teaches me daily that while I am not close to being a perfect mother (but oh how I try!), he is the perfect son. :) He is inquistive. Funny. Loving. Caring. Stubborn. Sweet. Adorable. Flirty. Amusing. Creative. Intelligent. Relentless. Helpful. And he unconditionally loves us. What an amazing thing that is. God's goodness shines through him daily, and I never stop thanking the Lord for that.

Looking back, I am nostalgic over this past year. I miss the little things like him sleeping in our bed every night. The non-stop cuddles. The pure necessity of needing us to be with him. But, looking forward, I am loving every moment of his "growing-up". The independence. The stubborness. The excitement he has for exploring, learning, and creating.

As he grows, I love watching the traits he gets from his daddy and I. I love watching the traits that are purely his own. And I adore watching him develop and fine-tune his personality everyday.

My LBB, on this first birthday of many, I thank God for the gift of you to us. I look forward to this next year of growing, learning, exploring, creating, and just plain having fun. And I am so very thankful for everything that you teach me. For every hug and kiss that you give me. And for every single moment of every single day with you. I can't imagine a more fulfilling job than the one I have of being your Mommy. I love you so very much, my dear little LBB. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

One small step for mankind...

...is apparently one GIANT leap for a 25 pound little boy. :)

I would've sworn months ago that LBB would be walking before his first birthday. But, now that his first birthday is only 20 days away, I wouldn't put betting money on it. He can do it, because we've seen him take 3 or 4 steps here and there...but he just doesn't want to do it. And when he sets his mind on something, he sets his mind on something. :) He's a bit stubborn that way.

Last night, LBB was standing with only one hand lightly resting on Dear Sweet Hubby's chair, and Dear Sweet Hubby handed LBB his sippy. LBB took it, held it with both hands, stood there while he was drinking it, and then even bounced around to the Christmas music for a few minutes. And then...he realized he wasn't holding onto anything, freaked out, and plopped right down.

Now we can't get him to stand for anything. :) But, I do have a feeling he is getting close. Once in a while he will hold onto something with just a fingertip, and look as if he is contemplating whether or not he wants to go for it. One of these days I know he'll just get up and go...but until then he is going to be extremely stubborn about it all. :) I have to remember that he will walk when he is ready...until then he is going to do what he wants in the mobility department!

Oh...and speaking of sippy's, did I mention that LBB is completely bottle-free now? All sippy's, all day. Yay for LBB! (And yay for Mommy...bottles take so much time to wash!)

And can you believe, only 38 days until Christmas!?!?! WHOA! I've been a busy little bee getting ready for Thanksgiving, LBB's birthday, and Christmas...and now I've really got to get my bottom in gear! LOL!

Stubborn as a mule...

I'm going to have my hands full. LBB is about as stubborn as they come. :)

And the one thing he is the most stubborn about? Sleep. Especially now that he is crawling, he tries to fit as much play into his day as possible...even if it means staying up way longer than he should and skimping on his naps. We've tried cuddling him to sleep. Rocking him to sleep. And the worst, letting him "cry-it-out." If you've read any of my posts, :) you know how I feel about that. But, sometimes even holding him doesn't make him happy. sigh

However, letting him cry it out literally means listening to him sit in the middle of his crib screaming...and 98% of the time, he still doesn't go to sleep.

See, I told you. Stubborn.

I can't expect any less, however...both Dear Sweet Hubby and I have stubborn streaks a mile long. It only makes sense that LBB inherited that wonderful trait. ;)

Another unexpected trip to the doc...

LBB is very accident prone. A month ago we were at the doctor because of a slip in the parking lot. :( Three months ago we were there for a super stuffed up little man. And then there are the monthly visits. But, I suppose since we have good insurance, I don't want to hesitate on something...I'd rather not have to worry.

So, today we had another trip to see the doc. This time for a small dent in the back of his head that I was pretty sure was his anterior fontanel. But then I called the nurse to make sure, and she doesn't seem to know what she is talking about, sending me into a worry-frenzy when she made the observation that if I wait too long his head will be forever flat in the back. And the award for most dramatic nurse on the phone goes to... (drumroll please) ...that lady.

But, I can't complain because now I don't have to worry everytime my fingers brush against that little dent. And I don't have to worry about the dry patch that I couldn't get rid of on the fold of his ear because the doc gave me a good little tip on how to treat it. And I don't have to worry about the fact that LBB bumps his head.

Every. Day.

I don't know why he is so clutzy...no matter what we do, he finds something to bump his head on...just wait till he is even more mobile. Oy.

Oh...and a little weight update. LBB weighs in at 22 pounds 12 ounces. Wowzer. That is one big boy...which a sweet little elderly pointed out to me at Target today. :)

I do not like slide whistles (as told by LBB)

photo from HERE

See what those people have in their hands? It's a slide whistle, and I don't know why they aren't screaming in fear.

Slide whistles are very scary.

Today my mommy and I got to go to this special class at the library. I was having lots of fun. I was dancing to "Don't Worry Be Happy." I was singing louder than any of the other kids. I was flirting with the girls. I was waving at everybody.

And then the lady pulled out this metal thing. And she started playing it. It is very scary. She called it a slide whistle. I call it "make me scream my lungs out" whistle. My mommy got me calmed down a bit, but then the lady played it again. Softer this time, she said, since I didn't like it, but it still didn't matter.

I. do. not. like. slide whistles!

So my mommy and I went into the main library and I got calmed enough to go back in. And they started singing this song called "If You're Happy and You Know It". I was having fun again clapping my hands and singing along. Then they all started crying! In the middle of the song, they sang "If you're sad and you know it say BooHoo." I didn't like that either. Mommy tried to calm me down, but I wasn't having any of it. So, we had to leave early.

I had fun until the slide whistle came out. Scary slide whistle.

So Not Tired

This is the face of a little guy who is not tired. At all.

But Mommy knows he is...it's just convincing LBB to close his eyes and get some much needed sleep. It seems like the days Dear Sweet Hubby has to work longer always tend to be a little...kiddiewhompus...schedule wise. I feel like the house is in shambles, like LBB has done nothing more than fuss at me despite all my attempts to make him giggle, and if given the opportunity, I would collapse on the couch right this minute and fall asleep for a good, oh, 12 hours. :)

And of course, it was today of all days, that I got the notion to try to help LBB learn how to soothe himself to sleep. I am a firm believer that when he is ready to sleep in his own bed, he'll let us know, and surprisingly, I was right. Everynight, he stays in his own bed longer and longer. Next up on the things that we need to work on...getting him to sleep the whole night through. My body is desperately calling for more than 4 or 5 hours of sleep at a time. :) We'll see what happens...until then, I'll make the most of those 2am cuddles with LBB.

IT'S LIKE PULLING TEETH

I'm really trying to get LBB into a routine of at least taking a nap longer than 20 minutes each day. LBB has other plans.

Don't get me wrong...he sleeps great at night. All the way through, in fact. And he'll sleep for hours in my arms if I am completely quiet. But the minute there is a noise or he is put down to sleep, he's up within minutes.

My mom says let him cry it out. And I really do want him to start being able to sleep during the day like most babies do...however, hearing him cry is torture. I am getting better, but LBB has now discovered that since crying doesn't get him picked up all the time, he is going to start screaming.

Yes, you read that right. Screaming at the top of his lungs screaming. I didn't think an almost 3 month old could scream that loud. But he does. And it's not like there is anything wrong...he'll have been fed, changed, swaddled, burped, and all that good bedtime stuff. He'll fall sound asleep in my arms. But the moment his head touches the crib mattress...he starts to stir.

I'm exasperated and worn out. He's cranky and worn out. And while I know this is all a short passing phase (I hope) I want to make sure that I am helping him to learn how to sleep properly and all that stuff.

*sigh*

Any suggestions?