🍼👶🏼Do We Let Our Babes Fuss to Sleep😫💤

My youngest babe, of my four boys, will be 9 months soon. I had been dealing with months of him sleeping terribly. Nights even waking up hourly......I was seriously starting to feel like a human pacifier 😳🍼🐄🍈🍈.

I couldn't make sense of any of this......I thought I was an expert......I had 3 other boys that were amazing nappers. His naps during the day were worse.....15-25 minute catnaps during the day and then he would turn into a bear at night from being overly tired. I thought I was going to lose my mind......seriously😜

I read every article I could get my hands on. Plus a bunch of moms, I don't know, wanting me to buy their book for sleeping advice. I tried sound machines, light projectors with floating stars,  an incline, dark room, night light, diffuser with oils, and so on. You name it......I probably tried it. I would've probably jumped through hoops to get that kid to nap. Thankfully a friend of mine (with years of childcare experience and 3 grown babies of her own) gave me advice I needed to here......let him fuss. Thank you Gaye😉❤️.

I was worn out and we were both grouchy. I started with night time. I just let Maverick fuss/cry it out. The first night or two were long, but guess what, he eventually started
sleeping through the night. I turned my baby monitor off......that way I didn't wake up to every little squawk. I also got a rain app on my phone to help.....he's close to our bedroom.....and I wake up to a pin dropping 😳(Yes, I am an EXTREMELY light sleeper, one of the many things that happen when you become a mama).

Nighttime was MUCH easier than figuring out his naps.......LORD HELP ME🙏🏼.........I literally thought I was going to loose my marbles 😜LOL!!!

Let's just say he's a stubborn one.......he must get that from his daddy LOL😉. I decided to log my week of experience for reference to help all you moms who might 
be struggling with this and I am here to tell you that you don't need to buy a book to 
get it figured out:

Monday: Maverick went down for his morning nap a little after 9:30 after a morning of play, tummy time, and his baby cereal. He nursed and slept for about 25 minutes......let him cry for about an hour (I told you he's stubborn.....typical man LOL.) finally he went back to sleep for only another 20 minutes🙄. I then went to get him because at this point he is getting hungry  for lunch, and needs a diaper change. After lunch I changed him, gave him some play time, read to him, nursed him, and put
him down for round two of nap time. He was wide awake so I decided to use that light show I thought would answer all my napping prayers 🙏🏼. He fell asleep for a good 35 minutes, fussing for about 20 of them, but then going to sleep.

Tuesday: A 35 minute morning nap.....not great. I was forced to get him because my 5 year old son has preschool and I needed to go to the gym. At 12:45 we got home I read him two books, nursed him and laid him down at 1:15. He, of course woke up 30 minutes later crying. I let him cry/fuss for 20 minutes and he went back to sleep......for another 39 minutes......ugggggg. Fussed for only a couple minutes then I watched him in the monitor while his eyes got heavy and fell back to sleep.....omg......making progress🙏🏼

Wednesday: Morning play and breakfast. Put him down at 9:15 for his morning nap.......another 30 minutes minute nap🙄. I let him fuss for a little while to see if he would go back to sleep. Went to get him after 20 minutes to run our errands before lunch. Fed him lunch, read him books, nursed him, and laid him down for his afternoon nap. Pretty much a terrible nap, and even though I let him fuss, I was forced to put him to bed early tonight because he was so overtired and didn't sleep much more than an hour combined.....uggggg.

Thursday:  Morning play, breakfast, and books. Went down around 9:15 and slept for an hour......progress💃🏼?!? Went down for his afternoon a little after 1. Woke up 25 minutes later fussing.......I am not going in there.....he's tired and needs to sleep 

more. Not a successful afternoon nap and was forced to put him to bed early again because he was overly tired.

Friday: Our morning routine followed by an amazing morning nap. Went down a little after 9 and slept till almost 11👍🏼. His afternoon nap was the same as Thursday. Less than 30 minutes and crying. Let him fuss again, but never went back to sleep. Fussy again and overly tired.....went to bed early....sigh 😔. Making progress slowly.

Saturday: He got the flu.....nooooooo🤒

Sunday:.....followed by the whole family (except Daddy who was working in another state).......

Monday: ALL our routines out the window......survival mode😫

Wednesday: Our moving truck arrives 🚛📦😳🏃🏼.....did I mention that the routine was literally out the window.

With several nights traveling, and all of us overtired....our baby finally figured out sleep is a good thing as we were getting settled in South Dakota. I think letting Maverick fuss it out helped him learned to self soothe. He still nurses himself to sleep (which many books told me not to do), but that works for us. He officially has a great nap and night routine. He occasionally wakes up fussing, and now I can happily say he puts himself right back to sleep 👶🏼💤

I really wondered through this process why my other three were such great nappers.....I felt like I knew it all. Then Maverick  came and I couldn't figure it out.....why? My 2nd born, Jaxton, had colic and it was basically survival mode everyday. Having a baby with colic and listening to 3 hours straight of crying (from 8-11 at night).......they were going to nap......period. I think with, Maverick,  I just got a little too soft LOL. I went in for every peep and he didn't know how to self soothe. Anytime he fussed in his swing I was right there picking him up.

So to sum it up for all you mamas out there......it's ok to let you babe fuss themselves to sleep. Sleep is important for them to grow, and learn to self soothe.......plus it makes both mama and baby happier. Sometimes that routine has to be put on hold if their sick and really need you, but having a schedule will help you develop a healthy sleep schedule. You'll know what works best for your routine (if that means nursing your babe to sleep-so be it.) You got this mama 👍🏼👶🏼🍼😴.

📦🚛Moving a Happy Football Family🏈

I have had many coach's wives ask me over the years how my kids are so well adjusted after moving around for this football life......9 times in 14 years of marriage isn't exactly easy👰🏼💍❤️👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼👫🛣📦🚛.

I try as hard as I can to follow these basic rules:

1️⃣. #1 and the MOST important.....stay positive. Kids follow your lead. It's not easy to find out you're not being kept on a staff when a new head coach comes in to a school. My husband and I first talk about it, then have a family meeting, and then get excited about our new adventure.....wherever that may be if we don't already know🛣🏈. We stick together.....there's no "i" in team right😉👍🏼. 

2️⃣. Start packing early. I started packing one day after my husband left to start work at SDSU and we moved 3 months later (I have four kids remember👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼). We have had fully paid moves, moves that haven't been paid for, and mostly partially paid moves over the years. It's very easy to get stressed when you're paying it all on your own, and doing all the work yourself. I have boxed up 7 of our 9 moves myself-having my husbands help only for the last day or two before the truck actually arrives (if I am lucky.) Start to pack early (crucial with a house full of babes).....I mean it. Things won't seem as stressful (for you or for them) and you can purge and get organized at the same time 📦👍🏼.

3️⃣. Unpack the kids bedrooms 1st. I always get a shower curtain up, utensils out, etcetera, but my babes (kiddos) rooms are always the 1st to unpack. My 5 year old, Palmer just told me last week that his room feels like home now ❤️👦🏼🏡. I do it all: hang wall decor, place furniture, and decorate ASAP. It's comforting to them🔨📦👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼❤️🏡.

4️⃣. Rome wasn't built in a day. I really like to set up my homes fast, because I hate boxes laying around. I also try to work on things room by room. .....I like seeing the results. Usually most wall decor is hung last-it gives me time to think things out. Just DON'T forget to get away from it all for your sanity.....and your kids sake....nothing good ever comes fast. Everyone deserves a break with a little fun.

5️⃣. Enjoy the Area. Having a big family we don't do a lot of vacations, but we do try and enjoy the area we live in with every move. We have taken our boys to the Pro football hall of fame, countless children's museums different places we've lived, professional sporting events, the ocean, Mount Rushmore, and last summer we went to Yellowstone national park and hiked while we were living in Bozeman, MT.....all because football took us there. Take in the land around you.....and your kids will have happy memories with each move🎢🏔🏖🎡🏙🏟

6️⃣. Move when it's best for you/your kiddos. Some wives swear by moving before the school year is out while others wait till it's over. I really think you have to do what works for you. We have done both. This most recent move to South Dakota-we moved 3 weeks before school let out. I think it's been great for them to meet kids before summer Vacation. Plus I like knowing that I am getting a little settled before the school year is over. Another reason, my son Jaxton is in baseball, moving this way helped so he could start right when his season began. I don't prefer moving right away. This way they still have a few months to say goodbye to friends and adjust to leaving.....which I also think is
extremely important. It gives us all closure. 

Bottom line. Kids will react a lot to you.....my kids were born into this football life and I want to make sure they are happy about it. It's easy to think a football family is the best when you're going to national championship games or the thrill of a winning season. I think it's most important how you react in the hard times......with a not so "perfect season".....that is sometimes followed by a move. 

So it has only been a few weeks since we began our new football adventure in Brookings, SD. We already are members at our local children's museum, have had baseball games, track meets, and have been to a handful of parks to blow off steam (remember the four boys.) Right now the kids are off to school, the baby is down for a nap, and I probably need to go unpack a box some where. 

You got this mama.....stay positive. Plus home is wherever your football adventure takes you.......GO JACKRABBITS 💙🏈💛🐰🛣.

Not quite "All About the Mama" on My Mothers Day......but blessed

After my Mother's Day weekend I really thought about how....no day is ever "perfect" or really "all about me." 

Our moving truck had unloaded a little over a week ago. Less than 24 hours later.....my husband went on the road recruiting......the life of a coach's wife📦🚛🏈😳.

Thankfully, he made up for it, when he came home last Friday. Surprising me with a DQ ice cream cake (my favorite) and also had big bouquet of flowers (someone read my blog)💐😍.

On Mother's Day, I put our youngest babe, down for his morning nap (must stay on schedule🕗!!!!) Then we all got ready to go to brunch. As soon as we all sat down we ordered our drinks kiddy cocktails for kiddos, a beer for my husband, and of course a Bloody Mary for me......I love brunch!!! As the waitress set the drinks on the table  my littlest babe reached, in his high chair,  for the beer.....which then poured directly into my lap......uggggg. My dress was actually dripping. I, 100%, smelled like a frat house......happy Mother's Day to me😩.  

Thankfully, my dress dried during brunch, so that we could go to Costco and run an errand (yup...I went smelling like beer......this girl goes the extra mile for a large pack of diapers 😂). We, like always, needed things for the house.....food, wipes, dipes, milk, and with a family of six......so much more. Our baby, not being the greatest shopper and needing his afternoon nap, cried most the time in the store (uggggg......we didn't stick to the schedule🕗!!!!!)

On Mother's Day, I didn't want it to be about unpacking either, but of course having just moved in, there was things we just had to do. It is what it is🏃🏼📦.

Did I mention, on this mama's day, I also helped my husband wash....hang.....and load his car to be ready to leave the very next morning for recruiting.....remember  what I said about that life of a coach's wife🏈👰🏼.

I guess, I have to chuckle when someone actually says to me, "I hope your boys spoil you on Mother's Day." 🤔

My Mother's Day was far from perfect, I don't think the day was really "all about me," or I was really "spoiled." I do know, however, all they wanted was for me to be happy. When my oldest said to me " I am sorry you had such a rough Mother's Day mom." It really made me think.....

There's always something......it's just part of a being a family. From the moving/unpacking, to laundry piling up, a diaper explosion, something broken, a baby off schedule, naptime, someone fighting over something being "not fair," errands to run, unpacking, someone sick, or things getting spilled.....even on my lap. It's just everyday life🏃🏼🚛📦💩🤕😴

My family made me feel loved any way they knew how to on Mother's Day. No one complained when I set out "fancy" clothes to wear for brunch (fancy in the Eck house=not a football jersey or an under armor hoodie), they all gave me the most wonderful cards, my 5 year old told me at least 20 times throughout the day "Happy Mudder's day mama," and they even got me that mani/pedi I so desperately need (whenever the boxes finally get unpacked.)

So as I sit, with my baby in my arms, nursing him to sleep.....I know I am blessed. I know how much they tried any way they could to last weekend to make me feel special/loved. I love Mother's Day.....because I have all of them. A big family is far from perfect and often chaotic....but I love them. I will always be there for them.....no matter what day it is......craziness and all. Some day I know I will miss that crazy. Plus

there's no use crying over spilled beer (or I guess they say milk) 👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼👫❤️.

The "Last Box."

After watching the moving truck pull away for the 9th time in 14 years of marriage......yup.....part of being married to this crazy football life👰🏼💍🏈. I realized all of our moves had something in common. The "last box."😳📦

Being extremely organized, I like to label every box and what room it is designated to go to. I will even go so far as to label "open immediately" for the urgent items (like my wine opener for instance 😉🍷💃🏻.)

But as it leads up to the last hours with the moving truck parked outside.......organization.......all goes out the window. With every move I think.....I am ready.......I got this👍🏼.......this isn't my first rodeo 😉🐴. Then the movers are getting ready to close their truck's door and I miraculously find another box to fill with just about any random item you could imagine. It's like panic mode😱......thinking.....I MUST get more on the truck 🚛📦🏃🏼.

A random toy that was trapped under the couch, laundry in a bag that I washed and dried up until the last moments of the day, the few last packaged  pantry items you thought you would use, tools....packing tape....& sharpies (items that I have been using daily up until the move.), a magnet that had been trapped under our fridge, and pretty much any other random item that's still lying around. 

I guess no matter how "prepared" or "organized" I think I am.....on moving day things "get real".....often really quick 😳🏃🏼📦🚛

I have to be honest......I really dread opening that "last box." I hate seeing all the "last minutes" and having to find appropriate homes for all of them. Plus it's usually not just one box.....one turns into two.....and a couple nights ago it turned into 3 "last boxes" 📦📦📦.

I know, the next few days, will be hard....who am I kidding......it's been hard since February. I have 4 kiddos, and with all the craziness of that in itself (two ear infections, the flu that spread like wild fire, appointments before you're insurance has to change, basketball games, school concerts, etcetera), packing fast just doesn't happen.....especially when you're packing on your own (my husband had to leave in February to start his new coaching job at SDSU.)

I, also know, the days ahead we will have long drives, staying in hotels (NOT fun AT ALL with a seventh month old BTW), and living out of suitcases with 4 babes (kiddos) in tow. Then there will be the unpacking.....did I mention the 4 kids.....unpacking fast won't happen either.

With all that said, I probably will never like opening the "last box(es)," but I do love the feeling of finally being able to take a deep breath when we are all crammed in the car headed to our new football adventure. Even with Toy Story blasting behind me, the smell of boys and fruit snacks in the air, and being asked "how much longer?" more often than I would probably like.

Really, moving in general,  isn't easy......but I am looking forward to our new journey at South Dakota State University.......home is where football takes us......GO JACKS💛🐰💙🏈.....WE got this👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼👫.

Moving......AGAIN!!!!!!

If you didn't know already.....I am a football coach's wife......GO JACKS💙🏈💛🐰. I have moved A LOT!!!!! I was even recently called by another coach's wife-the ultimate football gypsy 🏈💃🏼LOL. Most of the moves we have had have not been by choice. A head coach gets fired and a new coach comes in and "cleans house" 🚮(gets rid of most if not all the assistants). It's just part of the football life. This is my 9th move......and only 2/9 have been fully paid for. When they're fully paid moves it's amazzzzzzing because you don't have to pack.....it's all done for you🎉 😃📦🚛. But I will say, as I am packing for our next journey to South Dakota, there are some benefits to having to box up a house yourself......really.

First.......you get rid of things you don't want or need. I hate clutter and moving around has taught me to purge and be organized. The movers will seriously pack your garbage if you let them😖.

Second, you can take the time to sell things you don't want or need. Many times, I will have a garage sale before a move and sell our old gear (maybe keep a few faves.) You can make good money on it and my loyalty is always to the team my husband is coaching for❤️🏈. Also any furniture that won't work in your new place or maybe you don't need anymore. If you don't like garage sales there are almost always great ways to sell on Facebook through your town. You usually have to be accepted as a member, but I have been selling things like that for years. Especially big items.

Go through and pack room by room. I go through and update picture frames, go through closets, and pack all the things you can live without for a couple months (I start early because I have four babes (kiddos). Anything I don't think is worth selling I donate and get a slip for our taxes.

I have my kiddos help go through toys, little ones can test markers (throwing out ones that don't work), and help out packing......we are in this together and there is no "I" in team right 🏈👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼?

I also save every single receipt for things I buy for the move (tape, packing paper, etcetera.) to deduct as moving expenses on our taxes. I try not to buy boxes. Usually you can find someone moving into town.......even one of the new football coaches. A little awkward, I know,  but it's a business and you need the boxes. Plus they'll have all the wadrobes and nice dish packs. It's probably a good idea to save a few dishpacks and wardrobes when your move is over-for a rainy day (a lot can happen in a season.)

As far as packing paper goes......I often utilize blankets and pillows for fragile items. Another coach's wife also gave me a great tip (thanks Kristi M.) Go to your local newspaper and buy their unused end rolls. WAY cheaper than buying packing paper and it's nice and convenient having it on a roll.

Lastly, and an important one,.......LABEL your boxes. I will label what room it goes into and the importance of opening. What do you want to open right away (bedding, towels, coffee maker, wine opener, shower curtains,.....did I mention wine opener🍷).

After having boxed up homes for  7/9 moves.....I pretty much feel like I could be a professional mover LOL. So hopefully you can use any of these tips for a move(s)........and don't forget to wait on packing that wine opener till the end.....in your labeled box of course 😉

Beauty, babes (my babies), and ball (football)

I decided to start this blog because of my three loves......Beauty💅🏼👠 (makeup, fashion, accessories.....you name it.) Babes 👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼(aka: my four kiddos). They are my heart and soul.....and I feel pretty proud/lucky to have made such amazing little people. Lastly, Ball.....short for football. It makes up a large part my life considering I am married to a football coach.......GO JACKS!!!💛🏈🐰💙

I have a degree in fashion marketing and Cosmetology Degree and spent years selling cosmetics (from Clinique, Lauder, and Mary Kay.) So, I like to think, I have some good input on beauty secrets and tips. Plus with four kiddos.....all mamas out there need quick ones.......right!! We are not some celebrity that can devote hours in a makeup chair.......this is real life people. I have learned fast everyday tips for us mamas on the go and I have plenty to share. Plus spending years around department store cosmetics and even being a consultant with Mary Kay I have learned there are great products everywhere.......even the Dollar tree😳(yes, I am serious!!!!) You don't have to spend a fortune to feel and look beautiful.

My four kiddos.....Quentin, Jaxton, Palmer, and our baby Maverick........make up a HUGE part of my life. I have good, bad, and in between days as mom of four boys......but I wouldn't trade the craziness of it for anything. I have learned a lot from my 13+ years of experience. From nursing, colic, teething, after school sports, and the list goes on. Actually I am still learning as I go LOL. I have had to learn to pinch pennies for cleats and find my own ways to work around a fussy baby. Being a mom is a tough job.....some of my closest friends are the ones that have kids......we just get the chaos.

Football. A sport I knew NOTHING about till I met my husband. One of the first things I said to him was that he chewed gum like a coach. It was love at first sight from that point on. Kind of like in Jerry McGuire when she says "you had me at hello." Corny... I know LOL. Being a coach's wife hasn't been easy. We are moving for the 9th out of state move in 14 years of marriage......its crazy I know....I have been called a football gypsy😉🏈. From moving tips, packing tips, tailgating recipes, what to feed big groups (feeding 25+ offensive players at one time is no joke😳), and great tips on what to wear for games......you don't always have to shop at the bookstore ladies. Have you ever seen how the women in the South dress for games.....they know how to bring it in the stands ya'll. Plus plenty of tips and funny stories from lugging around these 4 babes to all their Daddy's football games (thank god for fruit snacks and hot wheels.) Yes, this mom feeds my kids "fruit" snacks........ I didn't say I was perfect LOL.

So as I am lying here in my bed staring at a room full of boxes, with plenty more I need to pack 📦🙄(BTW), and a baby that is waking up from a nap😫 (and not a good one at that)......I am thinking I am surely not busy enough LOL.......so why not start this blog. I think there may be someone out there that can relate to this or even find it helpful. From beauty......babes.....to ball........and how you can try and do it all 😉(or at least fake it till ya make it).