Facebook-Free February

This year, I'm trying to set a goal (or more) for each month.

This month, well, February, my goal is to refrain from even visiting Facebook, even once.  I'm going to remove my easy tab from my bookmarks bar and everything.

So, if you need to get a hold of me, you can comment through this blog saying so.  Or you can email me.  If you want my address or phone number, you'll have to do one of these two things to get them.  :)

So, starting in a couple of days, I'll be off the grid.  Or something like that.  ;)

Why I Rock

I rock.

Ok, I may or may not be talking about how I get my kids to sleep.  ;)

You know, I'm four kids deep into this game, the one we call "Parenting"... motherhood, if you will.  I have my kids on an awesome sleep schedule.  And by awesome, I mean, I wouldn't have if my MIL hadn't introduced it to me.

In bed by 7:30pm.  Up by, well, whenever they feel like it, which is usually before 7am.  This is ok.  I like having this schedule.  I like knowing there's a specific time I can count down the minutes to every day.  I like knowing I have control over that part of my life.

Since my kids were wee bairns, I've rocked them.  I nursed my first one while rocking.  I fed bottles to the rest while rocking.  They would fall asleep in my arms, too.  I wouldn't lay them down, awake.

*GASP*  What??

I know, right?

Are you feeling sorry for me, yet? "You poor thing - you are teaching your children something horrible, they're never going to be able to sleep for themselves."

I used to actually believe that.

Well, here's the thing - four kids deep, remember? And three out of my four kids - wait for it - PUT THEMSELVES TO SLEEP.

Weird, right? After I so horribly did them the disfavor of doing it for them once-upon-a-time.

So, I've tried the cry-it-out method.  I've tried white noise.  I've tried music.  Nothing beat rocking for me.  I use to judge mothers who did this.  Rocked.  Why? Because of the whole doing them a disfavor thing.

I have been feeling the need to post something about this for a few days, now.  Maybe it's because I feel the need for some self-affirmation.  Whatever the case, here it is:

I rock.

I do it on purpose.  I used to try to get out of it.  I used to hate it.  I even tried to get my husband to do it, instead.

Now? I embrace it.  I choose it.  I even look forward to it.  I love it, even.

I look back and see how many stories have been told, how many songs have been taught and sung together, how many hugs have been stolen and smooches exchanged.  I see how my second to youngest was able to feel my youngest poking at him before he was even born.  I remember conversations of learning and teaching and wouldn't have given those up for anything.

I rock.  I've spent quality time with each child when they were my littlest at the time.  I'm glad, now, with my very last baby, that I can see ever-so-clearly how special this is and has been for me and my kids.

They won't be little forever.  Someday they'll be 12 and slightly smelly and bigger than me and I most likely will not rock, anymore.

So, for now, anyway, I rock.  And I love it.  :)

Technical Difficulties

For some reason, blogger won't let me copy and paste a new background.  Not sure what to do about that.

Anywho, that's why all is black.  ;)