I've been on the phone this morning to the sleep school - do you all remember back 3.5weeks when I first called them only to be told my 'phone appointment' would be 5/10? Nothing like having to wait so long when you're stressed and sleep deprived?

Well after tears and lots of blubbering on the phone - and a big long discussion - we have managed to be booked in for a day stay session tomorrow week!! OMG, it's so close and I'm so glad.

Anyway, they said to stop giving milk to Blake as a bottle before bed. Sure he can have a bottle - they didn't lecture about "he should have given up the bottle @ 12mths" - just that it should be 20 mins before bed if I want to give it to him around that time of day, so it has time to digest a bit before he lies down. Ok, so we tried it now, he had some banana and milk about 11.20am and we had a nappy change and I put him into bed with Ben Lee CD playing - not stopping that, and they didn't tell me too either. I stroked his head a couple of times and walked out. Of course he was crying before I'd even shut the door, but I gave him a couple of seconds to get over the fact I'd left the room. I walked to the kitchen to get myself a drink of cordial - diet for my TF diet of course! - and he cried a little but he wasn't too upset. Normally I would have gone back in to comfort him and stroke him again or hold his hand but I held back to see what would happen if left to his own devices. Well he stopped, by the time I'd stood and finished the glass. He obviously accepted it and has fallen asleep.

I gotta say though, daytime sleeps have been easier since I put the music on after them telling me I wouldn't get in before Christmas. But small steps I guess. He's happy, he fell asleep without his bottle, and without me. All I gotta do now is continue and not slip back.

They did talk about comforting him, and sitting with him or patting him etc if needed and I'm sure during the night I'll need to do that. With Viv away on camp again tonight at least I can continue along the same lines without having to make sure she's fed/watered etc.

Everyone please keep your fingers crossed for me!

BTW Hay, I took Viv to the show last week and she loved watching the cows. I told her I had a friend on BB who has a dairy farm and she was so interested. She was asking lots of questions about it. So I was wondering if the offer to come and visit some time is still available? Obviously only when it suits you, but Viv (and me, and of course DH & Blake) would love to come and meet you and visit a real live working dairy farm.