Night Night

Night night is a new favorite game for Sophie to play...at all hours of the day. Get her up from her nap and she says night night, slams her head against her mattress before I even have a chance to get her out of the crib. While changing the sheets on our bed- she will grab our pillows and go night night in the warm downy soft pile of bedding on the floor. If only actual night night was this easy.

Sophie's first few months on this earth were not easy. She supposedly had "her days and nights confused" whatever-she was an infant- don't they all do that? She started out rough but somewhere around six or seven months she was sleeping through the night and it was bliss. 13, 14, 15 hours at a time. A new mother's dream. For about the first 9 months of her life she would head off to the land of nod after breastfeeding or a bottle, nestled on one of our chests while we rocked her and her lullaby soundtrack gently played on iTunes. Sure it wasn't always bliss but looking back it seemed pretty easy. For a while between her first birthday and 18mos. she would nearly jump out of my arms and into the crib! She wouldn't make a peep and to me it was MAGIC.

Now I approach night night with anticipation and trepidation. On a regular day I don't get to see my lovebug before I head out for the Battle of the Beltway at 6:00 a.m. When Sophie and Phillip arrive home in the evening we have a little play time, dinner, bath, books, and bed. I have to squeeze all that into a three hour stretch: 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. That leaves 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. for "me" time. It's not easy, but it's what we do.

Sophie's bedtime used to be 7-7:30 p.m. but due to the aforementioned schedule that just wasn't working out and wasn't enough family time. So we've pushed the bedtime to 8:00 p.m. -remember I only get about an hour of downtime a day! For about the past two months on a pretty consistent basis when we put Sophie to bed she SCREAMS! Crying, tears, kicking, and screaming. It breaks my heart every time. I'm being a bit selfish in that 8:00 p.m. is MY time and she is intruding on it by screaming and crying. I often just wait outside her door and listen and pray and sometimes cry myself that she will stop quickly. Sometimes she only cries and doesn't scream but it still doesn't make it that much better.

I don't know what to do. It upsets me and frustrates me. I have taken to giving her a quick hug and kiss and I love you and leaving the room abruptly because I want to get over the screaming part as quickly as possible. Tonight she went to bed at 8:17 p.m. and screamed and cried until 8:24 p.m. That doesn't seem like a long time but when all you can hear is screaming a crying it seems like an eternity.

We do the routine thing. Dinner, usually straight to the tub, play in the tub, jammies, brush teeth, read or play quietly and then 8:00 p.m or a bit later bed time. We both hug and kiss her and wind up her musical bear and lights out...and then the screaming.

I don't know what else to do. I sometimes just go to bed then too listening to her across the hall and asking myself what I'm doing wrong.

What is your nightly routine? How well does your toddler go to bed and sleep? Any advice?

Love...

Piggybacking on an idea from a blog I follow (it's full of whit, emotion, humor, and strength-a bit hard to read at times but the parents and kids are amazing-very inspirational.) Anyways, she responded to a blog she reads and a post all about "Showing the love." So since it's Valentine's Day I thought I would follow suit and share somethings I love.

Love: The house is 95% clean and all of the laundry is done.

Love: Clean sheets on the bed makes me want to take a nap right now.

Love: I just ate ice cream as my lunch dessert.

Love: The quite of the house as both Sophie and Dolly sleep.

Love: I have another day in my weekend tomorrow.

Love: That I have gotten back to contributing to this blog and finding time for idle web browsing.

What do you love today?

More snow and cabin fever

When we returned from our much needed retreat we came home to more snow than I have seen in at least twenty years. We delayed our return because we knew that the DC/MD/VA area had been blasted with a blizzard and upwards of 20 inches of snow. We were smart to buy supplies such as wood, water, and propane in NC before heading north. During hurricane Frances when we still lived in NC Phillip and I took the power outage as a challenge and testament to our strengh. We boiled water for sponge baths and used the horse wash rack at the barn to do so. We played Scrabble, Chutes and Ladders, and Hungry Hungry Hippo by candle light. We cooked meals on the camp stove. It was camping indoors and we loved every minute of it.

Dealing with high wind, lots of snow, and power outages in Boone, NC we were the same way. Huddle up by the fire, pour a glass of wine and thank your lucky stars for your granddad's old WWII military sleeping bag, down, and wool.

We figured this would be the same way. Fire, food, wool and down, and each other. When we pulled up to the driveway we couldn't even attempt to pull in the snow was so high. Phillip jumped out and quickly carved a spot for me to park. Sophie and I got inside and assessed the amount of rotten food due to the power being out for several days. Next chore, build a fire. I was so proud of myself for the blaze I created. We were going to be fine in the 40 degree house until the power came back on. Then Phillip came in and asked "What's that smell?" I thought it was just regular fire smell. Turns out we had a bit of smoke and the fumes from the fire coming right into the house instead of up and out the flue. Crap. I drove over to the church behind our house because we don't get good cell phone reception here - and by this time it had started snowing...again...and it was coming fast and furious. I called my parents to take them up on their offer to stay at a hotel.

Off we went...warm, dry, a place to cook and one cranky baby. I think Sophie was just stressed out from being in the car all day, coming home, packing up and leaving again and being in an unfamiliar place. I wish I would have thought to bring our swim suits but when there is nearly two feet of snow in your yard swimming is a far off thought. The one thing that did keep her happy was a tour of the hotel. We walked every hallway on two floors. To make it more fun for me I decided to take photos of the "tour stops." Sophia's favorite thing was the "choo choo" what we adults call a luggage cart.

Enjoy the slideshow-snow, the tour, Sophie's crazy nappy hair the next morning and more snow!

Nana Time

During the first weekend of February my husband and I packed up the car complete with dog and baby and headed south. We had reservations at Butterfly Gap Retreat in Maryville, TN. This getaway was as much for me as it was a 30th birthday present for him. We were originally scheduled to head there in December prior to Christmas but had to postpone due to the 18 inches of snow that fell the day we were supposed to leave. The staff at BGR was excellent and so understanding and simply allowed us to book a different date which was easy since the first week of February was ski week at Phillip's school.

I was nervous we would have to postpone again or outright cancel when we woke up to 6 beautiful inches snow! Phillip got right to work shoveling the driveway so we could escape.

This trip also marked the first time we would leave Sophia alone for more than a few hours. We have both spent a few nights away from home in the past two years but never have both of us been away from her at the same time. All was easy going until we put her down for her nap. I'm sure she could sense something was different about this nap time as we both gave her extra squishes and kisses. I will be the first to admit that it wasn't easy leaving her but our trip was needed and deserved. I knew she was in good hands with Nana and would fare just fine.

There days were filled with watching Sesame Street on tv (a luxury since we don't subscribe to cable service) watching the horses in the neighbor's pasture and at Nana's own barn, feeding Nana's horse, and flipping through the many horse related magazines within arms reach. Sophie indulged in being rocked to sleep
and I'm sure some sweet treats that only Sophie and Nana know about.

Nana reported that she only asked for us a few times and went down for her naps and bedtime flawlessly. She didn't use her binkies except for when it was time to sleep and didn't throw any fits. Of course when we returned home and Sophie wanted to eat a snack every five minutes and I wouldn't let her Nana responded "we didn't do that when you were gone" or when I tried to rock Sophie to sleep and she insisted that she giggle and play with my face Nana again responded "we didn't do that..." The power and magic of a grandmother.

It was great to get away and I think in the end it did everyone good.

Snow Day

Being a Capricorn born in January during the "Blizzard of 1978" (or close enough) I love snow. I love the soft quiet as it falls, the way it dresses up an evergreen, and the feeling of being enveloped by nature. On Saturday we had our second snowfall of the season. The forecasters couldn't seem to determine if we were going to get just a dusting or some actual accumulation. Lucky for me we got about 6 inches of snow. We ended up staying inside most of the day while the snow fell. But what better to do on a snow day then make up fun games to play with your kid. So Sophie and Phillip played Jump Baby-simulating Sophie jumping out of a B-52 bomber.

On Sunday we suited Sophie up and headed outside. She had no idea what to do in the snow and was "frozen" in the snow. After a bit of encouragement she bent over to pick up the snow and throw it at dad but she still didn't quite understand it. We are due for more snow tonight and maybe this weekend. We'll see if she is more eager to discover the fun snow brings.

Chicken Pox

This past Sunday started out like any other- we got up, dressed, started making breakfast and planning our day. Church, chores, errands, the typical weekend laundry list. Sophie was awake and eating her breakfast but not as voraciously as usual. I thought nothing of it-that was until lunch when she also wasn't hungry and seemed more ready for her nap then usual. And then there were the zit like spots appearing on her face. She was getting the chicken pox.

When it comes to vaccinations I am a hippie and error on the side of caution in regards to "inoculating" my child. I think a lot of vaccines are just a band aid and not a way to prevent the illness or disease. The varicella vaccine didn't exist when I was a kid. I got the chicken pox possibly twice. Sophia has had the vaccine so I was expecting this to be a very smooth ride. The doctor explained that instead of one hundred pox she would have far less. On Sunday I could count three on her chin and two on her butt. What I didn't know is that new crops of pox develop every day. She is not covered head to toe but there are a lot more pox than I anticipated.

The bumps on her chin are the worst because of the binkie and drool. I hope those don't scar. The also itch and burn after eating a lemon wedge! Sophie has been pretty laid back through all of this. She definitely has wanted more Mommy time which is sweet but very confused why we don't have bubbles in the bath and the water looks dirty-from the Aveeno oatmeal bath. She has been out of daycare all week making my work schedule a bit interesting (6am-9am; then working from home during her nap).

It has not been the worst chicken pox epidemic but I'll be glad when it is over. Now I just have to nurse my husband back to good health-he came home from work this afternoon with a fever, aches, pains, and chills.

Sophie at 21 months

Just pictures because I haven't posted any in a long time.

Sophie on Christmas morning-more than ready to start opening presents.




At my birthday party sporting her Tiara.

Little miss social butterfly.

Observing Learning

Of course kids learn and are learning all the time. Babies learn how to suck, and cry, and roll over. Babies learn all kinds of things without their parents actually teaching them how to do it. As parents we interact with our children all the time and speak to and about our kids in the context of what we are doing at that time. And though I know Sophie is learning words, what things are, and how to do things on her own it amazed me when I asked her to do something and she did it!

A few weeks ago I was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Right before I was about to put the meal on the table I asked Sophie to "bring her highchair to the table" and she did it! It dawned on me how incredibly smart kids are. She can't say highchair or table but knew exactly what I wanted her to do. She also picked up her bib off the floor when I asked her to and has even carted groceries like baby wipes to her room when I've asked. This new discovery isn't so I can boss her around but it does make getting simple things done much more enjoyable-and hopefully she feels like she is helping too.

New Year's Resolution

New Year's Eve I began to get a cold but we went to a party with Sophie in tow anyways. It was New Year's Eve after all! New Year's Day I spent 85% in bed feeling terrible and followed the same routine on Saturday. It wasn't until Sunday I emerged, showered, and sort of felt better. To make matters worse my car started acting up and spent three days in the shop. Luckily Phillip did some internet research on Subaru's and diagnosed the problem as well as the cure so the shop visit didn't cost a dime; which was a good thing because with paychecks coming at odd times in December and the holidays we didn't have a lot of spare cash. It was not my ideal way to ring in 2010. So I declared that MY New Year wouldn't start until January 14, 2010-my 32nd birthday.

One of my resolutions was to contact an acquaintance I know from work to inquire about she started her business and learn all I could so I can further pursue opening my business. I met with her last week and I am excited about spending some time this year doing some R&
D (research and development).

My next resolution is to be more aware of my eating habits and drink more water. I'm drinking water right now as I type but had mac & cheese and chicken tenders for lunch. But I did buy some root vegetables at the store to make a great mash.

Next is to rededicate myself to this blog. I've gotten lazy and instead of posting on here I upload a few pictures to Facebook when my mom or sisters beg me to. That's no fun. I hope to post at least once a week. And include more information about the journey of motherhood and raising a daughter.

So here goes.

My daugther really didn't stop aging at 13 months I'm just lazy

The seasons have changed, Sophie has learned to stand up and cruise, she says mama, papa, hi, and buh bye and I'm just now getting around to posting these exciting milestones. I must rededicate myself to posting on here more frequently! She also has 12 teeth. Four in the front top, four in the front bottom, and molars to match. The molars are still coming in but they have all broken the surface of the gum. Things she is lacking-walking skills and enough hair to put in an incredibly cut Bam-Bamesque pony tail. How are we supposed to go trick or treating if the kid can't walk? Oh well she's still super cute!



Her first bike ride

Enjoying a snack at the pool

Learning how to wear her sunglasses





She loves this chair we are borrowing from her godparents. It talks, sings, and is obviously just the right size.

Look Ma, I'm standing!

So this picture needs an explanation. I think Sophie remembers breastfeeding. She sometimes will try to pull my shirt down (especially when I'm wearing a v-neck) just to see what's going on in there. One day she put a wind-up penguin in my shirt. Phillip found this funny and explained to Soph that my shirt could be used for all sorts of storage and he commenced to putting his wallet, car keys, pocket knife, books, and anything else he could find within arms reach into my shirt including my box o' wine. (Yes, I said a box of wine. It's a tough economy folks.)

Sophie being Sophie

Sophia Celebrates the BIG ONE!

Sophia turned one on April 20. We acknowledged her birthday on the 20th but since it was Reunions week at work we didn't celebrate until the first weekend in May. Sophia's grandma, grandpa, and nana all came to town and some of our friends came out to help celebrate. Sophia indulged on a homemade cupcake and received a lot of fun new toys. She does like all the toys she received but a kid being a kid also really relished in the wrappings.

On her birthday-before heading to daycare.

Sophia, how many are you? "I'm ONE!"

Cupcakes!

That's for me? (Notice Dolly thinking -hey, ma, drop that down here.)

Besides the sugar rush, I think her favorite part of the cupcake was seeing exactly how much of it she could SHOVE into her mouth!









Sophie opens presents

Easter

Catching up on my blog posts. Sophia's first Easter was great! We went to church, enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt, had Becca over for dinner, did another egg hunt and learned the joys of "robin's egg lipstick.
"

Long time no post

Wow, it has almost been two months since I last posted and in baby months that's like 17 years! Wheww. It is funny to me that I seemed to have more time to post when Sophie was just born. I guess all that sleep allowed me to have "me time." Oh, well. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Sophia continues to be the Happiest Baby on the Block! She is so mild mannered, calm, and happy. Phillip and I both just love to be around her and look at her and marvel at her cute squishyness. I'm not being the mom who thinks her kid is better than the rest, Sophie really is a very happy and contented baby.

We started feeding her solids around 7.5 months and she has yet to turn away from food with a "I'm not eating that face." Thank goodness she gets her palate from her dad and not me! She happily eats kale, broccoli, and asparagus. She can make a mess but enjoys eating. After first feeding her broccoli she somehow ended up with a broccoli beard. Not the most attractive thing but funny nonetheless.

She has been sleeping solidly through the night for several months now. It is so delightful to get a full nights sleep and be functional the next morning. She often sleeps on her tummy and usually holds her bear, Smokey, over her eyes. Recently however she has discovered he makes a nice pillow.

In her spare time Sophie enjoys picking Daddy's nose. And then makes him eat the boogers.

In my spare time I enjoy taking Sophie to swim lessons! She loves being in the water and has done well so far. Doesn't fight when on her back learning how to float. Enjoys "wheels on the bus" for warm up and really liked playing Humpty Dumpty last week when teaching her how to find the wall in case she ever falls in the pool. It will be nice this summer when we go to Hilton Head that she is already a bit acclimated to the swimming pool.
Yesterday was a big day at the pool because she got to go under the water. Sophie only had a look of confusion on her face not fear. I imagine the more we go under the more enjoyable the experience will be.

Little miss Sophie still is not crawling yet. She gets about 96% into position and pushes up on her hands a little bit but only to reach the item she wants and then sits down. At this point she may just become a walker! She is content with schoocing to her destination or the toy that is out of reach.

We are looking forward to the warm spring weather, the opening of the farmer's market and celebrating Sophie's first birthday.