After months on end of sleepless nights we had a major breakthrough. After a couple of days of our new "sleep plan" we have had success. I must admit that the "sleep plan" we decided on was probably the hardest for me to deal with. I don't like hearing my son cry so this was a challenge for me as well as for Judah.
We made a few changes that we think have helped along with the sleep plan. We moved Judah to the back bedroom where there is no road noise or noise from the neighbors (who sometime get into it late at night and have been so loud they have disturbed his sleep). Not only did we move his bedroom...we gave him a single bed with a feather top mattress.
Our sleep plan goes like this...we take him to his room...say his prayers with him....lay him down and tell him we love him....then I walk out as he follows me to the gate and begins screeming. I let 10 minutes pass ... go back to his room and cuddle him....lay him back down and walk out again...then let 5 minutes pass...then again with the checking on him then another 2.5 mintues then check on him then if he is still going for it....I start over with 10 minutes...he hasn't made it past the second round of the first 10 minutes yet.
He slept from 7:30 last night until 5:10 this morning! Then went back to bed until 7:15!!!!
SO excited. I have finally got to sleep in my bed with JUST my huband.
Well that is all for now but will update when I get another free minute!
Allenia
Friday 12 December 2008
Thursday 4 December 2008
JitterBug Fun
Below are a few photos of my little man having a blast at JitterBugs...it is a fantastic indoor play center for children. But don't be fooled. A lot of parents are climbing through the huge apparatus. I feel completely comfortable sitting down with a cup of coffee to chat to some of the Mom's I have met there while he runs around and plays. The way it is set up it is easy to keep an eye on your little one while you sit and enjoy some adult conversation.
As I was laying in bed last night...with Judah just next to me (he came running in crying), I kept humming these tunes in my head. When Matthew came to bed I told him how I felt so silly because I kept singing all these crazy kid songs that are from the shows that Judah watches. Then I started singing them to him so he could feel a bit crazy with me! He just laughed. Thank God for other mother's who understand me.
Yesterday afternoon I took Judah to the JB we played until Matthew got off work...he walked to the JB to meet us...the took a few minuted to play with Judah in the play areas. He is such a good daddy. While we were there I met another Mom. Her name is Marjam (she is Iranian) she is so lovely. When we were chatting she said that she knew I must be American because I was so naturally social. (She and her husband lived in California for a while -- her son was born there). We have made plans to meet up again and let the boys play. What a great opportunity to show the Love of Christ.
Here are a few photos of my lovely little one having a big time at our favorite play center.
Playing the the Under 3's play area.
Coming down the BIG slide ALL BY HIMSELF! The top of the slide starts where the light is on the top right hand side of the photo.
Going up the "mountain" to get to the big slide! Again all by himself! 
Big rotating part to a mini obstacle coarse.
Playing foosball!
Judah in the futbol/soccer pitch
I will add more photos as we will be doing some more outings soon.
As I was laying in bed last night...with Judah just next to me (he came running in crying), I kept humming these tunes in my head. When Matthew came to bed I told him how I felt so silly because I kept singing all these crazy kid songs that are from the shows that Judah watches. Then I started singing them to him so he could feel a bit crazy with me! He just laughed. Thank God for other mother's who understand me.
Yesterday afternoon I took Judah to the JB we played until Matthew got off work...he walked to the JB to meet us...the took a few minuted to play with Judah in the play areas. He is such a good daddy. While we were there I met another Mom. Her name is Marjam (she is Iranian) she is so lovely. When we were chatting she said that she knew I must be American because I was so naturally social. (She and her husband lived in California for a while -- her son was born there). We have made plans to meet up again and let the boys play. What a great opportunity to show the Love of Christ.
Here are a few photos of my lovely little one having a big time at our favorite play center.
Playing the the Under 3's play area.
Coming down the BIG slide ALL BY HIMSELF! The top of the slide starts where the light is on the top right hand side of the photo.
Going up the "mountain" to get to the big slide! Again all by himself! 
Big rotating part to a mini obstacle coarse.
Playing foosball!
Judah in the futbol/soccer pitchI will add more photos as we will be doing some more outings soon.
Monday 1 December 2008
BBC's Good Food Show
What a blast!!!! Yesterday I got to go to the BBC's Good Food Show in Birmingham at the NEC. It was so much fun. The NEC is about 2 miles long and was packed full of stalls/vendors and wall to wall people. At one point it was hard to walk thru the crowd. Vanessa and I sat for nearly 3 hours to wait to see Gordon Ramsey cook at one of the shows...however he couldn't be there so Angela Harnett took his place. She is brillant. Very interesting personality and quite a dry scense of humor....I liked her. I got a few things at the show, a couple of knives, some different food items a plate and bowl for Judah. All in all it was great. I think that Vanessa and I will plan to got to the Summer Food Show again at the NEC.
On to Judah updates... So my little man is beginning to talk. It has only been one week but in that week something has changed. He was jumping up and down on me yesterday and was saying onnnn (1) ewhhhh (2) eeeee (3) and then he would jump and sit down. He is also saying oohse -- juice... he also says "what?" and no, gone gone, all gone. It is so funny to hear what he sounds like when he actually uses words. Too cute! He has become very confident in other areas.. Much more indepentent, he lets us know when he is ready to go to bed and when he wants a bath, if he doesn't want something we know very quickly. He is something. I love my little man...this is such a great adventure. I must be off now.. until then.
On to Judah updates... So my little man is beginning to talk. It has only been one week but in that week something has changed. He was jumping up and down on me yesterday and was saying onnnn (1) ewhhhh (2) eeeee (3) and then he would jump and sit down. He is also saying oohse -- juice... he also says "what?" and no, gone gone, all gone. It is so funny to hear what he sounds like when he actually uses words. Too cute! He has become very confident in other areas.. Much more indepentent, he lets us know when he is ready to go to bed and when he wants a bath, if he doesn't want something we know very quickly. He is something. I love my little man...this is such a great adventure. I must be off now.. until then.
Thursday 27 November 2008
Good Friends...
...but oh so far away! So I have some of the best friends in the world. Those who I have a face to face relationship with...others I have met via xanga or other blog sites...those I went to church with...those I went to school with...and others I have met along the way.
I find that some people in mxany life have been only just a seasonal gift from the Lord for a specific time, place and situation. There are others who I would have never really imagined I would be friends with, then there are those who are just lagniappe...just that little extra from God.
This week I have gotten to chat via email, myspace messages, facebook messages and even telephone with some of these wonderful blessing. My heart has been so lifted by the sincere and thoughtful comments and even just genuine conversation I have had with these lovely people. I stopped and for a moment the Holy Spirit reminded me via the love of friends how very much the Lord loves me and cares for me that he would give me such lovely people to come along side of me and lift me up and care so genuinely about me. Thank you! I am so blessed to have each of you in my life.
Kendra, thank you for a constant laugh or amusement, you always put a smile on my face...I know we have yet to meet face to face but you have been a source of encouragement just being you. Reading your thoughts and honest blogs on xanga have been wonderful. Our emails, though few and often brief, have been lovely and I always look forward them.
Angela, you are one of the ones that came into my life many years ago via Chi Alpha...and although we haven't seen one another in ages..we always seem to be able to pick up just where we left off and it feels very natural. I am so proud of you. You have a heart of gold...and I am so blessed by you.
Mel Howard, Wow, what are friend you have been to my family...my mom and dad. Although you started off as my mom and dads friend...we have always just clicked...you are so fun to be around, I always know that whenever I am around you there will always be laughs! Thank you for all the little emails, comments, love you show me. You are a blessing and I love you girl. I miss you.
One of my friends from home, who I got to see and spend some time with while our boys played together at the park when we were home last has become more of a blessing than she may know...during the last couple of weeks during all that yuckiness...she emailed me via myspace to check that I was alright...and to just see if I needed to chat...asked how Judah was doing. My family have been there always but for a friend to check on you when you are down somehow makes you feel that much more special and loved. Allison THANK YOU, your concern and care have been such a blessing to me. Whats more your love for simalar things has been just so fun.. I have enjoyed our emails back and forth about homemade/handmade gifts and crafts. You are a fantastic friend and I am thankful for your friendship to me...even if it is one of distance. These four people are just a few there are others but to go thru and thank each of you would take days...and I think that this post is quite long enough...If you weren't mentioned personally today you are no less special...I am pretty sure you (who weren't mentioned today) will be in another post...but these three are the ones I have had on my heart the last few days.
Thank you again to all my friends and especially to my family...I know I didn't mention much about them but then again they are ALWAYS the first to be called upon and I always know that they will be there. THANK YOU!
Only By His Grace,
Allenia
I find that some people in mxany life have been only just a seasonal gift from the Lord for a specific time, place and situation. There are others who I would have never really imagined I would be friends with, then there are those who are just lagniappe...just that little extra from God.
This week I have gotten to chat via email, myspace messages, facebook messages and even telephone with some of these wonderful blessing. My heart has been so lifted by the sincere and thoughtful comments and even just genuine conversation I have had with these lovely people. I stopped and for a moment the Holy Spirit reminded me via the love of friends how very much the Lord loves me and cares for me that he would give me such lovely people to come along side of me and lift me up and care so genuinely about me. Thank you! I am so blessed to have each of you in my life.
Kendra, thank you for a constant laugh or amusement, you always put a smile on my face...I know we have yet to meet face to face but you have been a source of encouragement just being you. Reading your thoughts and honest blogs on xanga have been wonderful. Our emails, though few and often brief, have been lovely and I always look forward them.
Angela, you are one of the ones that came into my life many years ago via Chi Alpha...and although we haven't seen one another in ages..we always seem to be able to pick up just where we left off and it feels very natural. I am so proud of you. You have a heart of gold...and I am so blessed by you.
Mel Howard, Wow, what are friend you have been to my family...my mom and dad. Although you started off as my mom and dads friend...we have always just clicked...you are so fun to be around, I always know that whenever I am around you there will always be laughs! Thank you for all the little emails, comments, love you show me. You are a blessing and I love you girl. I miss you.
One of my friends from home, who I got to see and spend some time with while our boys played together at the park when we were home last has become more of a blessing than she may know...during the last couple of weeks during all that yuckiness...she emailed me via myspace to check that I was alright...and to just see if I needed to chat...asked how Judah was doing. My family have been there always but for a friend to check on you when you are down somehow makes you feel that much more special and loved. Allison THANK YOU, your concern and care have been such a blessing to me. Whats more your love for simalar things has been just so fun.. I have enjoyed our emails back and forth about homemade/handmade gifts and crafts. You are a fantastic friend and I am thankful for your friendship to me...even if it is one of distance. These four people are just a few there are others but to go thru and thank each of you would take days...and I think that this post is quite long enough...If you weren't mentioned personally today you are no less special...I am pretty sure you (who weren't mentioned today) will be in another post...but these three are the ones I have had on my heart the last few days.
Thank you again to all my friends and especially to my family...I know I didn't mention much about them but then again they are ALWAYS the first to be called upon and I always know that they will be there. THANK YOU!
Only By His Grace,
Allenia
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Strange Days
It seems that over the last few weeks life has been in a bit of a muddle. Matthew, Judah and I were all ill with some little cold type bug. A week later, at 6:47 pm on Sunday, out of no where or so it seemed Judah had a fibral convulsion, by the way for any parent to see their child convulse or seize...it is probably one of the most unsettling things in the world. I had heard of it happening to other people and you feel sympathy for them but until you see it happen you have no idea. Although the doctors tell you that it is "normal" is almost laughable. I must say that I did panic, since I had never experienced that before, however, now that I have been through it (not that it will be any easier to see) I at least know how to proceed and deal with what is going on. Then the Thursday after Judah's FC I got shouted at by some man in our church...and pretty much told off for something that I didn't even do. I was very upset and just so down in the dumps. This last Sunday was suppose to be the day when this man was to meet with me, Matthew the pastor and some of the other leadership to sort out and apolgise but that didn't happen, he came with guns loaded and backup...all ready to attack. I took it for only so long before I cried and then spoke my peace about the whole thing. I went home that evening and Matthew and I spoke about the day. I told Matthew that I felt that it was less about me and more of a breaking point of this mans anger. He has a lot of grievences agains people in the church and people who don't do things the way he thinks they need to be done, I was the easiest target as Matthew and I are new to the fellowship. In the end we believe that we will be moving on as it was made clear to the pastor and the assoc. pastor that the people in this fellowship don't really want the young/middle aged people involved or even taking leadership positions in this fellowship. We are waiting to see where we will be placed by the Lord for the next step in our journey.
On a more positive note while at this church I have made some very dear friends and look very forward to pursuing relationship with these ladies. I will be going to the BBC's Good Food Show with my friend Vanessa. I am so excited... it is this Sunday. It will be a nice break from all the drama of the last couple of weeks.
Matthew and I will be going to his mom and dads for Thanksgiving. Although it isn't celebrated here as it is an American holiday, we will be having a Thanksgiving celebration...it will be on Saturday instead of on Thursday as my m-in-l will be working a 14 hr day on Thursday.
Until the next time Maxwell.....
Only By His Grace ~ Allenia
On a more positive note while at this church I have made some very dear friends and look very forward to pursuing relationship with these ladies. I will be going to the BBC's Good Food Show with my friend Vanessa. I am so excited... it is this Sunday. It will be a nice break from all the drama of the last couple of weeks.
Matthew and I will be going to his mom and dads for Thanksgiving. Although it isn't celebrated here as it is an American holiday, we will be having a Thanksgiving celebration...it will be on Saturday instead of on Thursday as my m-in-l will be working a 14 hr day on Thursday.
Until the next time Maxwell.....
Only By His Grace ~ Allenia
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