Why I Love being Audrey elizabeth's mommy

There are so many reasons why I love being Audrey's Elizabeth's mommy.  I preface this post with those very specific words because I know I will love being a mommy to (hopefully) many more, but this post is specifically about being Audrey's mommy.  From the very beginning, she's been her own person, establishing her own way of doing things.  She's never been a "by the book" kind of baby, which, in the beginning was a little frustrating because as a first time mommy I had no clue what I was doing, but now I just love more than anything in this world!  These last 3 months at home with her have been more precious to me than I can put into words.  We spent that time really getting know each other and I can say that I am a much better mommy for it!  I now know what her different cries mean, her sleep cues and when she routinely starts getting sleepy and ready for a nap, her internal rhythms, her likes and dislikes, her favorite positions to lay/play in, how she prefers to be held during snuggle time vs. play time, when she wants her paci and when she doesn't, etc.  Right now, I could tell you every little thing about her.  I treasure this time because I know as she gets older it won't be the same.  She'll continue to grow into her own person and I won't know every single detail about her anymore.  This already makes my heart so sad.  But for now, in this moment, I am so fulfilled as this precious little girl fills my heart with immense joy and purpose!  Every morning she wakes up with a smile on her face.  Just saying the words "good morning sunshine" makes her face light up with happiness!  After every rest period she spends about 10 minutes just stretching and waking herself up.  it's the cutest thing!  When I hold her (which is every possible chance I get), I'm always sure to hold her so close that I can feel her breath on my skin.  With going back to work recently and putting her in another's care, it's so important that she know her mommy's touch and the comfort only it can bring.  Every day I tell her 3 specific things over and over: 1. how beautiful she is, 2. how much her mommy and daddy love her so much, and 3. that God made her special and she is a daughter of the King.  My prayer is that by reinforcing these 3 truths every day, she will grow up with a sense of security and confidence in herself, her relationships, and her God every day of her life.  One of my favorite things is how she tells us she is making a dirty diaper.  There's a lot of grunting and clinching and her face turns red with every bit of effort - truly endearing :)  Which leads me to perhaps my most favorite thing of all about my sweet Audrey Elizabeth.  Ever since she was a teeny little baby, she has melted our hearts with her pouty lip.  Any time she gets sad or upset in any way, she sticks that lip out so far it immediately prompts us into some sort of action ... usually giving in to whatever she wants at that moment.  Chris says this will inevitably be his greatest downfall as her father.  Naturally ... what daddy can resist that face from his little girl?!  This will surely be her ticket to that new car, far too expensive prom dress, or getting her ears pierced or wearing makeup at far too young an age :)  And I would be remiss if I ended this post too soon without mentioning her sneezes :)  Obviously, babies don't come right of the womb with little voices, it takes some time to develop that.  So when she first started sneezing we were instantly inamored because it was like hearing her little voice for the first time.  Of course, now we hear it all the time because she loves to talk to us in her happiest of moments (which is practically all day), but her sneezes are even more endearing now because it sounds like she's windng herself up for a great release. And the fake-outs are even more hilarious because it almost sounds like she's straight up yelling at us!  We might think she was if we didn't know any better - lol!  It only seems right to end this love note to my daughter with the most practical thing we love about her the most - her snuggles!  Chris and I are very snuggly people by nature, so the fact that our little girl loves to snuggle just as much makes our hearts (and arms) so happy!  She cuddles herself right to sleep in our arms and it is THE most beautiful and precious memory we make every single day.  Being Audrey's mommy is by far the greatest blessing and most precious gift I've ever received and there's not a day that goes by that I do not thank God for His sovereignty and mercy over our lives by giving us this precious baby girl in His perfect time.

Sleep Training - Week 2

well, I dare say we have crossed over into happy sleeping territory!  yaaay!  We had a few rough days/nights - mostly on mommy's end since it almost killed me at times to listen to her cry - but we are far better off for it!  Audrey's schedule is totally predictable now and it makes parenting this precious baby girl far easier than before!  I know I can count on a nap in between every feeding now and can expect a prolonged nap (2-3 hours) in the afternoon!  Her fussy time of day kicks in naturally around 5pm (which sucks for daddy and mommy on the days I have to go into the office), but I still try and initiate a short 30-45 minute nap after her 5pm bottle to help ease the sting of the long day.  Then, in accordance with her natural sleeping rhythm (now defined), we start the bedtime routine (bath, bottle, bed) by 7:30pm and she is out like a light at 8pm!  Way to go baby girl!  This is wonderful because it gives Chris and I some time alone together each day as well :)  Once she's down for the night, she may wake up once more around 1:00am for a "dream feeding" (meaning her body is telling her it's time to eat but she never fully wakes up for the feeding), but then goes right back down again until 5:30-6:00am.  Chris is a late night owl so he takes the 1:00am feeding and since I have to be up early for work I take the early morning feeding.  It works out perfectly!  Pretty soon we'll be able to drop that 1:00am feeding altogether and we'll both be getting back to our normal sleep routines (as much as possible).  We're so proud of our little lovebug - she has certainly come a LOOOONG way in this effort.  Now we're all feeling a little more settled and a little bit happier each day :)

Sleep Training - Week 1

As I've mentioned before, my sweet Audrey isn't much of a sleeper.  She has never been one for naps and sleeping through the night is completely out of the question!  However, that was before I was introduced to the "Baby Wise" method.  Some friends of mine took pity on me after realizing just how sleep deprived and completely run down I have been for 2 months and gave me a copy of their book to read.  It has changed my life!  The basic principals address feeding habits, routine scheduling, and sleep training.  Yesterday I started Audrey on a new 3 hour schedule.  She eats, we play/have developmental time, and then sleeps (naps).  Eventually she will take two 1.5-2 hour naps (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon), another small 30-45 minute nap in the evening and then finally we'll  put her to bed for the long run to sleep through the night.  She adapted quickly to the new schedule yesterday.  She only took 45 minute naps in between each feeding, but at least she slept (and on the schedule I made for her!)!  But the best part is that she slept through the night!  Well, she allowed me to sleep through the night at least!  She didn't wake up for her late night feeding until 1:30am and Chris fed her then, but otherwise, I didn't get up with her until 6:00am!  YAAAY!  I was so happy this morning I could barely speak!  All I could do was thank the Lord for hearing my desperate cries for change (and sleep) so that I could be the kind of mother to Audrey that I need to be rather than only offering her what I have left after being so sleep deprived.  It has made a world of difference in Audrey as well.  She instinctively knows what to do and when and has proven to be a much more content and well-rested baby ever since!  So very happy for us both :)