Falling Asleep and Rolling Over

By MAGGIE WANG

On Tuesday, July 22, we officially started to sleep-train Maven. What does that mean? Basically it's teaching Maven to put herself to sleep without external help such as swinging, bouncing, pacifier-using or patting. We want to teach our girls how to be independent and stand on their own in this world, and in a small way this is just the beginning of it.

Fortunately, Maven didn't need much assistance, so it wasn't too difficult. Yes, she cried the most she has ever cried in her life, but given she rarely cries it wasn't too bad. The average baby (i.e. Sedona) definitely struggles more with it. Without any outside assistance available to her, Maven seized the opportunity to learn how to suck on the index and third fingers of her right hand as a calming trigger.

Maven is now going down about 9 p.m., waking up at 6:30 a.m. for some food, and then going back down for more slumber until getting up post-9 a.m. to start her day.

We sleep-trained Sedona for the overnights, so she is a great night sleeper. But we probably enjoyed holding her for her naps when she was younger too much; she still won't nap more than an hour a day. We're not making the same mistake twice, and Maven is doing an amazing job -- way better than most parents can ask of their 3 1/2-month-old babies.

On Thursday, July 24, Maven also rolled over from front to back for the first time. She was playing in her crib and just started doing it -- super cute and a fun milestone to hit. (She did back to front maybe two weeks ago with a head pillow for a head start.)

Saturday, July 26, was a party at Art Zone for Sophie Abe's 2nd birthday. Sedona had a major post-nap meltdown prior to going, and we were almost going to skip the party. It was the worst fit we have ever seen from her. She really, really didn't want to take her Sleep Sack off and change clothes. We did eventually come up with a way to get Sedona out the door: We bribed her with her beloved Maven.

Sedona would only go to the party if Maven and Kevin went, too. We've noticed that we can get her to do more things when Maven is joining in. Hopping into the dual stroller is much easier when Sedona gets to sit by Maven, for example. I cannot wait for them to get a little older so they can really play together.

I've also noticed that Maven is watching Sedona a lot when she is playing -- and watching very closely.

Unfortunately, no pictures from Sophie's party. We were lucky to even get out the door (although the other Mommies there refused to believe that reputed model-child Sedona could really throw a full-fledged tantrum).

Once at the party and thereafter, Sedona was great ... so great that T.L. even came over to play.

Here they are playing with my pink Nike house slippers. (To offer my feet the same comforts of home he enjoys, Kevin got them for me to match his black slippers that they are also enjoying.)

Today, was Anita's bridal shower (http://www.jinpatisserie.com/). It was a lot of fun. Anita has some super sweet friends and great bridesmaids.