Better

Thank you so much to any of you who prayed for us after my last post! Thankfully, our midnight adventure was a one night occurrence! Now poor Kate has a cold so she is sleeping extra long. It's her third cold in her 6 month life span which worries me a little. I guess that's part of having a winter baby. It's a mild cold, but I still feel bad for her. She seems cheerful and unfazed for the most part. I enjoy the excuse to get extra cuddles and rocking time!

Here are some recent pictures for my loving out-of-towners.

Kate grabs with all she's worth at anything and everything that comes into her line of vision. If I don't give it to her she just keeps reaching and straining until I either move it out of sight or put it within reach. She is super curious! Of course, everything gets shoved into her mouth with gusto:)

This time it was a little too big to bite on.

We are borrowing/storing this excersaucer from the Lechners and it has been such fun! Kate loves playing with all the toys. She has figured out that the hanging toys play music when you pull them. It also gives her good practice at "standing" and strengthening her legs.

She really wanted to hold the camera.

Her left eye has had a blocked tear duct since she's been born. It's harmless but aggravating. The other morning I went in to get her and burst out laughing because her left eye had gotten sealed shut with goop! She wasn't bothered by it at all and it looked so funny! 

(Also, notice my shiny nose bursting out of the corner....niiice.)

Molehills Become Mountains After Midnight

Last night was a rough one! Kate woke up hopping mad at 12:00. Sometimes she wakes from a deep sleep crying really hard and we haven't been able to figure out why (sudden gas pain? nightmare? evil fairies pinching her?) Usually this happens shortly after putting her to bed though and usually she soothes pretty quickly after a few minutes in the rocker. Not so last night! David and I tried everything we could think of to help her back to sleep (including the old standby of rocking her in the glider.) She only got more awake!

At 1:00 David took her downstairs to watch T.V. because "crying it out" didn't seem to be working anymore then rocking her did. I joined them and we gave her Tylenol (she is getting into teething age after all,and I had already given her gas drops) I fed her and changed her diaper, David ate a bowl of cereal. Kate was rubbing her eyes and yawning. Yes! Back to bed with her:) 15 minutes later she was crying again. 

Letting your baby "cry it out" seems like such a reasonable idea in the light of day. I don't want her to get the idea that I will rock her to sleep every time she cries at night. I had met every need I could think of for her and I was convinced she wasn't in pain because she was happy as long as we had her up. But, when it's 2 in the morning and all you want is sleep what ever gets your tiny one to sleep seems like the best option. Your mind plays tricks on you and you wonder if maybe she is hurting. It's all quite confusing. I was praying for sleep for Kate and reminding myself that Jesus knows how much sleep I need and that He would supply the grace for dealing with lost rest. 

At 2:30 the crying showed no signs of letting up so I went in to pat her. I felt peace from the Lord that at this point we all needed to just get to sleep. 2:30 wasn't the time to let her cry it out for the first time in her life. I picked her up and rocked her and she was asleep within minutes. Down for the count asleep. Praise the Lord! 

I recognize that I am so blessed to have only had one night like that with our baby thus far. Not that Kate always sleeps perfectly, we've had our nights, but she has never been up for 3 hours in the middle of the night. Last night was such a challenge to my patience and I was reminded afresh that we are totally dependent on the Lord to lead us in our parenting. I was reminded afresh how kind He has been to give me such an easy baby. I know many people have nights like that with regularity. 

Today I want to trust in Him with joy as I care for a cranky baby who didn't get alot of sleep while I am a cranky mama who didn't get enough sleep! I really do want to rejoice that I get to lay down my life for a little soul that's been entrusted to me to care for.

Thanks for reading my rant! :)

That First Touch of Spring

Liz Shea came over today to take some pictures of all of us for a photo project. It was Baby Kate's first ever time in the grass. She totally loved it! She took full use of her newest skill: Sitting unsupported!

It was so cute to watch her feeling the grass and reaching all around her to grasp it. David took all of these. I think they look cuter when they are bigger (if you click on the picture it will blow it up.)

She would reach way forward like this trying to get every piece that was near her. I am sure she couldn't figure out why she couldn't pick it up and put it in her mouth!

Meg took a picture just like this of Laurel and I thought it was so cute. Now I have one of my baby girl:) I love they way babies feet look when they are sitting up.

It was getting past eating/nap time and Kate got tired of being in the grass and was fussing. I picked her up to comfort her and we got some Mama/Daughter pictures. They turned out so pretty!

Poor crying baby!

Kate is so fascinated with faces right now. She is always reaching out to touch them, especially lips. 

I love the way she pulls herself in to put our faces together. She is actually trying to bite my face:) Silly girl is totally obsessed with "gumming" things. All part of this age I know:)

Restored to happiness! 

I thank the Lord for this beautiful day! Hopefully we can hang on to some sunshine for a bit!