The last couple days I've been fighting a cold. I know I shouldn't kiss Meagan when she's sick, but how can I resist? Seriously, I kiss her when I pick her up, when I put her down, when I burp her, after I change her... she's such a fun age right now and despite still fighting a little sickness, such a happy girl :)
Well, even though my baby hasn't been fussing too much during the day and still usually has a smile on her face, her night sleeping has been gradually depreciating the last 3 nights. Last night was the worst night we've had in a while with 6 wakings between 11 PM and 2 AM. Meagan would just nurse for a few minutes, fall back asleep, and then wake up again soon after. Frustrating.
So this morning I took her to the walk-in clinic. Double ear infection. Another round of penicillin. Hopefully tonight is better for everyone in this house!
Time for a family update!
Meagan is very mobile, at least in the rolling department. If she sees something she wants (she's especially fond of the TV cords), she rolls until she gets there, or gets stuck. She has quite the personality and if you laugh at something she is doing, like babbling or singing, she will do it more and even louder to really get you laughing. I seem to have finally gotten rid of her cradle cap for good! I first soaked her head in coconut baby oil, combed out all the cradle cap, and have switched to Aveeno baby wash which is soap-free and seems to be keeping the cradle cap away! Sleep was getting better. Earlier this week she only woke up once per night, then she had one night where she didn't wake up at all, and now the last two nights she is back to waking up every 2-3 hours all night.
We still haven't moved the girls in together but are planning on doing it tonight or this weekend. If it doesn't work, we will have the pack n play set up in either the living room or our room as a backup.
Kaitlyn is finished her first year of preschool. What a difference from her first day of preschool. She was so shy and the class was mostly boys, plus she was the youngest. My heart broke a little leaving her there as I was used to leading her through things, and thought I needed to be there for her to learn new things and make new friends. Nope. She did just fine all on her own. She made some great friends and learned so many new things. When writing out the card to her teacher on the last day, she insisted on writing her own name. I had to guide her through it, but she did it. Something we will definitely practice over the summer since she really wants to do it! The year-end program was disappointing with Kaitlyn standing there, arms crossed, or lifting her dress to flash the audience, but pretty much not cooperating the entire time. Oh well - next year is the big one where she will wear her cap and gown and get her diploma :)
Ryan and I are doing well and catching up which relieves so much stress in the house. Ryan works so hard for this family and still does so much when he gets home, I am astonished somedays that he has the energy for it all. I also overheard a conversation next door where it sounded as if they were contemplating selling. Fingers crossed - if that happens, we will definitely be renting out our suite again to relieve some more financial pressure!
So there is our long overdue update :)
So Meagan has been waking up 2 or 3 times per night, and then she is up for the day at 6:30 for a while now. I can usually handle it if she goes right back asleep, and I think the reason she is waking up at 6:30 is because it gets very bright in the living room where she is currently sleeping, plus it's at the front of the house and 6:30 is the time when most commuters start up their cars and head to work. The arrangement right now is when she falls asleep (around 7 or 8 PM), we put her in the pack 'n play in our room until her first waking. Then I feed her and move her to the crib in the living room where she stays the rest of the night.
Last night, she went to bed in the pack 'n play around 8 PM. And slept until 4 AM! No 1 AM and 3 AM feedings like usual. I was thrilled. I fed her and put her back down and she promptly fell back asleep. Then at 4:30 I could hear Kaitlyn sobbing in her room. She was standing in the middle of her room, shaking like a leaf, and I could not get her back into her bed. She said she had lots of bad dreams and could not sleep in her room. So my only choice was to take her to our bed.
Kaitlyn does not sleep in our bed. Despite a big lecture about not moving, not talking and going to sleep, she didn't. She tossed, she tried to start conversations with me, she WOULD. NOT. SLEEP. So, when Meagan woke up at 6:30, I had been up since 4 and knew I wasn't getting back to sleep (although thankfully I did manage to sneak a late morning nap in).
So now what? The idea was always to have the girls sleeping in the same room by the time Meagan was sleeping through the night. But she's not - although last night she almost did. What if they did share a room? Would they have comfort in knowing their sister is close by and Kaitlyn's nightmares would stop and Meagan's night wakings would end? Or will it make it worse? Both girls keeping each other up all night with no sleep for anyone in our house?
Do I keep the system as is, or is it time to move them together and just see what happens?
The sun is out! Yay :) Apparently it will only be here for a day so we better enjoy it while it is here!
So here is a list of things that make me happy :)
* A beautiful sunny day :)
* Two wonderful, beautiful daughters, who are each so different but so loved
* Preschool - it's a much needed 2 hour break twice a week. Oh, how will I live without you this summer...
* A wonderful, loving husband who does so much for me and his girls
* A glass of white wine, chilled to perfection (I love a good VQA chardonnay)
* A year maternity leave. Getting a year to spend with me and my girls has been great and I can't wait to do lots of fun things with them this summer!
* Wonderful friends and family who I can always count on when I need them :)
* Sleep
Just a bit of an update, Opa has been doing better since admitted to the hospital and is getting hydrated and more socialable again. It's difficult when we only get updates once or twice a week, but according to the last update, the hospital has been good for him, and hopefully my Oma has been able to get some rest as well. Thank you everyone for the kind words and prayers.
* Our financial situation. Living paycheque to paycheque sucks. It would be nice to find a money fairy to help us, but until then, we are making the best of it and working hard.
* Kaitlyn's picky eating habits. We try all sorts of different foods with her and it becomes a stand off. We lose. She is hungry. I feel bad and give her mac n cheese or a hot dog.
* Meagan's picky eating habits. She doesn't like a single "solid" food we've tried yet. Or the bottle, even when it's pumped milk inside. I need some more freedom, and some more sleep.
* Meagan's sleeping habits. Actually, I shouldn't complain too much. She nurses twice a night and falls asleep quickly after eating, which is pretty norm at this age for a nursing baby. But, added up, night after night, I'm exhausted. And her inability to sit still while nursing (except at night when she's half asleep) is a little overwhelming at times.
* Kaitlyn's confusion over where Grandpa is (he passed away from cancer before she was born). I've tried to explain it to her, but have obviously failed.
* Always thinking about my return to work date at the end of October instead of enjoying each day with my girls for what it is.
* The weather. Come on, it's June, not April. We need some sunshine. Good stretches of sunblock worthy sunshine.
* Not being able to jump on a plane and be with my Opa. And visit with my Oma to let her know we are all thinking of both of them and love them dearly.
There. Hopefully I will have a happier post soon. Just a lot of things on my brain tonight I needed to off-load.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Sorry for the lack of posting but I'm just not feeling there's a lot to report right now and feeling a little blah. The weather has me down, and Opa K is not doing well. He's been admitted to hospital and the doctor has now said he will not be going home. It is so hard to let go of someone when their body has failed, but their mind is still strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with Opa, Oma, Mom, and all the family during this tough time.
