Official Diagnosis: Have Mommy & Daddy Wrapped

Our little guy is apparently no dummy.  Our usual bedtime routine involves me nursing Frankie to sleep, holding him until he's in a deep sleep, and then putting him in his crib asleep (which I know, I know, I've read you are not supposed to do).  Well, over the past week, every time I've gone to put him down in his crib, he's woken up screaming.  Sometimes we were able to get him back down; other times I would just either sleep in the glider with him or bring him in bed with me and prop myself up with pillows and have him snooze on my chest.  (Neither option was extremely comfortable for me, but hey, we got sleep!)  Frankie's screaming got to the point that I became concerned that something was wrong with him - maybe an ear infection?  maybe reflux?  On Tuesday afternoon we went to the pediatrician where Dr. Nikki called Frankie out on his little game.  Not a thing is wrong with our little guy - He just doesn't want to go in his crib and knows he has Mommy & Daddy wrapped around his little finger and we'll hold him if he cries.  Nice try little man, nice try, but we are on to your trick!  Dr. Nikki suggested that we start sleep training - gasp!  Ok , we decided to give it a go and started that night.  We gave Frankie his bath, put him in his PJs, read to him, sang, and nursed him.  Per usual, as soon as I put him down, he cried.  Oh, did he cry.  It broke my heart and I had all I could do to stay strong, but starting with every 30 seconds I would go in and reassure him, pat his back, etc to calm him.  Then I swapped out with Frank and he started going as long as 10 minutes...After 1 hour and 15 mins, Frankie went to sleep.  Then after both of his night time feedings, he was fine!  He did wake up briefly as soon as I laid him down, but went right back to sleep!  Yesterday morning was the true test - Did our son hate us?  Thankfully he was his usual happy self and was all smiles when he woke up.  Phew!  Then, last night he laid in his crib for about 20 minutes before lightly crying...I only went in 4 times, and then he was asleep!  And again, both night time feedings were fine!  No middle of the night scream-fests!  I was honestly torn about the cry-it-out method, and we really didn't let him go long without intervening and comforting him, but the doctor assured me that he would be fine and I know it will result in a better night's sleep for everyone - including Frankie!  Let's hope we continue with the positive results! 

Oh yes, this happy little boy can get so mad!