Bigger Picture Moments: Tilt/Shift

For our local newspaper this week, I wrote an article all about babies and how to get them to sleep better from the get-go.  It was full of what I hope will be helpful advice for anyone who happens to read it.  I felt good about it. 

Which is probably why the universe decided that I was getting too uppity and should be leveled down a few notches from my high-sleeping-horse. 

Last night was a horrible night, baby-sleep wise. 

At 11PM, sweet Landon woke up hungry, so I fed him.  No big thing.  It's the usual.

At 1AM, darling Landon woke up whimpering so I popped his binky back in.  Sorta unusual.  After he nurses around 11, he's usually comfortably out for the rest of the night.

At 2:30AM, precious Landon started seriously crying.  I rearranged his swaddle, found his lost binkie, rolled him back to his back, and felt...wetness.  Poor buddy had had a diaper explosion all over his jammies and blankets and bed.  15 minutes later, he was snug and clean and warm.  And asleep.

At 4:30AM, angelic Landon SCREAMED hysterically into a silent night.  I ran to his side to find him already asleep again. 

At 6:00AM, happy Landon was gnawing on his fist, so I fed him.  No big thing.  Again, it's the usual.

But taken as a whole, it felt like the night that would never end.

Today, my usually smiley boy is a little...

off. 

Kind of like his mama.  I've been fretting and worrying about what this could mean.  Could he be sick?  Could I have eaten something that's upset his tummy?  Could he be falling away from being a super-easy-without-really-trying sleeper?  In short, I've been going crazy, and all because of ONE fitful night. 

It's taken me most of the day to remember that babies are unpredictable. 

As much fun as it is to admit that Landon is a gloriously easy sleeper, it's also imperative that I don't forget the unpredictable part.  The part that tells me not to get too comfortable with any one habit because {BOOM} it will change. 

Tilt.  Shift.

And if I'm not careful, I'll be left thinking that we're doing something wrong when life takes a tilt/shift.

Landon is perfectly normal.  He sleeps well sometimes, he gets fussy sometimes, he smiles sometimes, and he forges new routines sometimes. 

Always, though, he will change.  And if I truly meant what I said yesterday -- that I'm excited to watch my babies grow and blossom into something new each day --

then I need to remember the tilt/shift. 

So maybe I won't fall flat on my face when it happens again.




We're seeing the Bigger Picture through simple moments -- moments that force us to stop and take notice of the ways our worlds are important, meaningful, and beautiful. Please join us at Melissa's place today. Grab the button, link up, and read a few others to encourage them as they walk this journey of intentional living.