The good, the bad and the sleepless

Last night was rough.  The universe repaid me for being smug that Kayla went to sleep without a fight at 7:30 PM by having her awake and screaming at midnight.  She wouldn’t sleep anywhere but on me.  I sat in the glider and rocked her until she was pretty well out.  As soon as I made a move to stand, she whimpered.  By the time I had her laid back down in her crib it was full out screaming again.  We moved from the glider to the couch and eventually into bed together.  She seemed content as long as I was within arm’s reach, so we went with it even though it’s nearly impossible for me to fall into a deep sleep with her next to me.  Hopefully tonight is better. 

 

Today was good though.  My giveaway whoring finally seems to have paid off.  I won the Baby K’tan carrier giveaway over at Look at the Birds!  Yay!    I’m so excited to have another carrier to try.  I am off work the weeks of July 5^th and 12^th and plan to do LOTS of stuff with the little monster, especially for her birthday.  This will give me another option to keep her with me without having to push or struggle with a stroller.  It seems so nice and lightweight and easy to use.  Plenty of pics will be forthcoming! 

 

Now to drag myself through the rest of this workday so I can start enjoying the long weekend… ~4 hours and counting. 

I'm becoming a giveaway addict...

This time it's for something super from Jessica over at The Southern Belle Baby!  She's giving away something sweet from Miss Lucy's Monograms.  I've been eyeing potential new purses for a while now but haven't found anything that really grabbed my attention, until now. 

I am not exactly a girly girl, but something about this combo of black, white and bright pink makes me swoon.  Even if I don't win, I may actually buy one. 

Lesson learned

Today we found out that Kayla is not yet ready to share her mommy and daddy with another little one.  Her friend Addison came to visit with us for a few hours today, and although it started well enough, within a few minutes she seemed wary... I can't say I blame her.  We were giving Addison a little extra attention since she was the one in a strange place with people who aren't her parents... but we were doing our best to keep them both happy. 

They played together for a while.  It was really cute. 

Then I darted upstairs to get a shower.  Suddenly Kayla started to melt down.  If Shaun reached for, talked to or even looked at Addie, she had a fit.  I managed to get her down for a nap, and Addison continued to play for a while.

Then a little while after that, Addie tuckered out too.

Once they were both awake again, it was nearly time to load up to meet Kristen so she could take Addison home.  Kayla was still not thrilled with the company but they played a bit more before we left for a busy afternoon of running errands.  It was definitely interesting to see her reaction to having another little one in the house.  Perhaps she was meant to be an only child...

Happy 10 Months!

Dear Kayla,

Oh little miss... you are growing so fast still.  I didn't imagine that I could love anything more than I loved cradling you at 7 pounds and kissing your teeny tiny little nose.  Somehow though, I do.  I love "wrestling" with you on the floor.  I love kissing your tummy and making you giggle.  I love watching you feed yourself and gauging your reaction when you try something new.  And I love cradling you at more than 19 pounds and kissing your still teeny tiny little nose. 

I love this picture I got of you today.  It's not easy to get you to smile while focusing and shooting, but somehow we managed to make it work today.  Not just that, but if you look closely, you can see your itty bitty little teeth on the bottom.  They have finally poked through!  You took your first bout of teething like a champ.  There was hardly any fussing and just a little bit of lost sleep.  I am so lucky to have such a laid back little one. 

This Sunday is Mother's Day, and I am so excited to spend it with you.  Thanks to you I am starting to become who I have always wanted to be.  I owe so much of the happiness in my life now to you, and I relish any opportunity to celebrate you.  Speaking of - I am just about ready to send out the invitations to your first birthday party.  Seriously??  Your first birthday??  It seems impossible.

With each passing day you grow more adventurous, more independent.  More like the toddler you are becoming than the baby you were not so long ago.  I probably say this every month, but it's so wonderful and so sad all at once.  You are now down to just one bottle a day, taking your morning snack from a straw cup rather than the bottle now.  Before long we will be putting the bottles away for good.  I want to continue to nurse you in the morning and at night for as long as you will put up with it, but I can already feel you becoming less patient with that.  It will be bittersweet when it comes time to let it go. 

You are so very loved, little angel.  Your daddy and I look forward to each new day we get to spend with you, and each milestone we get to have together.  We know that the best is yet to come...

Love Always -

~Mommy