After a delightful evening together, Annika and I battled at bedtime last night. She did not want to go to sleep in her crib, by herself. I had work I had to do last night so I couldn't give in and just go to bed with her in our bed. I needed her to go to sleep in her crib. So, I put her in her crib and sang her songs and held her hand, etc. until she would be asleep. Then I would slowly back away. As soon as I would leave the bedroom, she would wake up and cry. How does she know when I'm physically not in the room anymore?? We did this for about an hour. Kris came home early last night since work was slow. So, at 9:30pm, I said it was his turn. He did the same thing. He would rock her to sleep or lay on the bed with her and when she was asleep, he would put her in her bed. She would wake up. He would comfort her and hold her hand, etc. It wasn't working for him either. At 10:30pm, he said it was my turn again. So, in to her room I went. I comforted with hugs and kisses. I rubbed her back. I turned on her soothing music. She would still cry whenever we left the room with some sixth sense sort of thing. Finally, I was frustrated and needed a break. So I let Annika cry for 2 minutes while I composed myself. Then I went back in, laid her back down, told her it was time for sleep, rubbed her back and then backed away from the crib. I did this a bunch more times before needing another break. This time I let her cry for 3 minutes and then went in and did the same thing. Then I let her cry for 5 minutes and then went back in. The last time when I laid her down and told her it was time for sleep, rubbed her back and left, she went to sleep. And stayed asleep. It was about 11:10 or so at this time. I finished up my work and went to bed at 11:30. I woke up at 2:47am to no baby and no husband in bed with me so I went investigating. Kris was still at his computer, waiting for Annika to wake up. He usually stays up until 2am playing computer games. And when Annika wakes up, he brings her to me in bed. I told him that I can hear her from our room and it was okay for him to come to bed, so he did. Guess what - Annika didn't wake up until 5am! She slept from 11pm until 5am! That is her longest stretch of sleep ever! I brought her to our room then, nursed her and she fell asleep with us. When I got up this morning and when I left at 6:30am, she was still sound asleep. I felt terrible for letting her cry for even 5 minutes. I know that I could never let her cry it out. However, I did need a sanity break for myself. And I could tell from her cry that she didn't need anything, that she was safe and not in pain or hungry or anything other than just plain tired. I know I don't have to justify this to all you moms out there. You get the sanity break and tired crying thing. I do hope that tonight goes easier but that the 6 hour stretch of sleep sticks around!