The light at the end of the tunnel is...the SUN!

We finally slept a couple of nights through!! Yeah! I think we might make it now. What all of those parenting books fail to tell you is about how "drugs" may affect you child. Sleepiness, sleeplessness, marked drowsiness, excitability, on and on and on...AND what I had never thought about (yes, there is something else I hadn't thought about) is just that just because a medicine makes ME sleepy doesn't mean it will make her sleepy in the least. It's true. My child falls into the sleeplessness, excitability catagory. FUN!!!

Onto bigger things, "...by nine months, your child may begin to protest when a favorite toy is taken from them." May begin to protest? I say WILL begin to protest. And loudly I might add. I had hopes that Lauren would have an opinion, and I got my wish. I really don't mind, but I have to be careful to not laugh. I know it sounds mean, but I have to look at her reaction with a slight bit of humor in order to keep my sense of humor in check. She doesn't really want to beat me. Does she???

Rock and Roll all night...

Again last night, we were awake for HOURS on end. Seriously, I need some sleep and frankly so does she. I have talked to several other mothers who have all suggested "letting her cry it out." I just don't know if I can do that. Hearing her cry literally hurts me. I feel it in my chest.

I have decided to revert to napping when she does. Whatever works...

If you have any suggestions, please e-mail me. If you are reading this, you have my address.

Coughing, coughing all through the night...

Last night Lauren coughed a lot leading me to call the doctor today. I don't care if I am an overprotective first time mom, we have a co-pay for a reason. I'm sure she's fine, but why risk it.

We are covered in ice and not planning to leave the house unless we are just going stir-crazy, which as this point won't take too long now...

Standing UP

I never knew that standing up and falling down could be so much fun or cause so many giggles. Apparently, I was misinformed. Lauren has started doing this, thankfully only on the bed, but I am waiting for when it happens on the floor.

Just seconds ago, I was watching her from across the room and she stood all alone for 30+ seconds. Won't be long now until nothing is safe.

I think we're ready. We'll soon find out...

Baby it's cold outside...

Coats and babies DO NOT mix. They are bulky and not car seat friendly. I also feel like a horrible mom when I take her out without a coat but rather than stand outside in the cold, I opt for the blanket route. With a hat of course. However, I don't know what to do. Coat or no coat? You make the call.

On the road again...

Well, we went to Bloomington this weekend and had lots of fun, bought lots of stuff and slept very little. Babies are creatures of habit and when you upset their routine, well, you've done it to yourself. Lauren was very good considering that she napped in the car, and the stroller and slept nights in a pack n play.

I think that traveling will always be a part of Lauren's life, so it is a good thing we started her young. So young in fact that she was not even a week old for her first over-night with us. The next week, we went out of state. No, we are not entirely crazy, we just had not had that much time off since college and probably won't again until baby number 2 comes in 3 or 4 years.

Regardless, on the road again we will be shortly I'm sure. We love our life. We love Lauren more. We hope she loves traveling.

More later...

Up, Up and Up Further...

Who knew we had our very own mountain goat? And all this time I thought she was just a beautiful baby girl. What do I mean? I didn't know she could climb stairs but guess what? She can. She did. She will do it again I guarantee it.

From what I understand, my husband and I were both climbers. Guess she will be too. Up 8 stairs and would have gone all the way if we let her. We did not. Yet she tries and tries again...

Standing is also something new. I don't mean pulling up. I mean, if you stand her in the middle of the room, she will stand there and look at you as if to say, "Now what?" All too soon, she will know the answer to that question.

OK. Since Lauren was born, I've had the sniffles, not felt "good", and been tired. However, the stomach flu was not something I had even considered. Without a baby, the stomach flu sucks. WITH a baby the stomach flu REALLY S U C K S!!!!!! She doesn't know how bad I feel, nor does she have the ability to make me feel physically better. What does make me feel better is that sweet little smile and giggles and momentarily, I forget my stomach and remember just how much I love her. Sappy I know, but entirely true.

Well let me tell you what. Lauren is a ball of fire. She is so much fun to be with. She is developing a temper however, when she is told no. She also DOES NOT like to have anything taken from her. If she claims something is hers, it's hers. If it's a comb, a sock, a dog toy, if her hand is on it, it's HERS. Just ask her.
I never knew how much I could love someone. She is teaching me that every day. Every day I love her more. Every day she teaches me something new. She is amazing...
We are having company tomorrow. Hopefully Lauren will share her toys. Only time will tell.

just wondered if i could

Well, Happy New Year!! Hope you had a good holiday season. Another one gone and another one yet to come in just a few short weeks. You laugh, but you know it's true.

The baby is trying to walk more every day. Today she walked from one recliner to another, to my knee, to the table and then went to hands and knees crawling. It won't be long now...

I started taking ornaments off of the tree today and also got all of the lights off, now all that is left is taking down the tree. That will happen over the next few days while she is sleeping. I think she enjoyed her first Christmas. She is starting to expand her favorite toys. The favorites have gone from squeeky bug and rattle duck to a host of Leap Frog toys and a pot and pan.

More later...