There is always a bittersweet moment in my day. A moment when I wish I could just pull the comforter up over my head and drift off to sleep for another few hours. But I can't. And won't be, for that matter, during the next 18 years or so probably.
So every morning where it's just me and her, here's what happens. I hear these soft cooings and little giggles. For whatever reason, when she first wakes up she doesn't scream for breakfast, she just lies there and kicks. So I eavesdrop for a few minutes, slowly get out of bed, and make her bottle. Because while she smiles IN her crib, as soon as I lift her out, all bets are off. I better have food ready and waiting at that point. But those 30 seconds just smiling and talking to her before I take her out of the crib might be my favorite moment of the whole day. Well, besides when Jill comes home to give me a break.
Lately we've had a lot of success with using a sleep sack to get her through the night. Before, when she was swaddled she would 'sleep' through the night but she would wake up 3-4 times a night b/c she had gotten unswaddled or needed her pacifier to soothe her. But now, with the sack, we safety-pinned the arm holes shut and she's been great. I think she likes to wiggle her arms around while sleeping, so she can do that, but still feel protected in the sack. And then in the morning, I get to come and unzip her and let her out.
There's something about seeing sheer joy on her face that makes me happy as a parent. An affirmation that she knows she's loved and protected by us. These are the moments that wipe away the tantrums of days gone by. These are the times when I'm so thankful we were blessed with her. I mean who couldn't love this face?
5 comments:
Definitely one of my top 5 blog entries, Brian! So glad you found a way for her to move her arms and still feel safe at night--exactly what she seemed to need. Good job figuring it out without her speaking a word.
sniff. my mom just made me tear up a little. thanks mom.
AWWW! She looks so cozy! I may need to find a sleep sack for myself...
Thanks for sharing these adorable pics!
Do you realize how appropriate is Megan's current book choice? Mei Xiang at the DC zoo could deliver a panda cub any moment and Zhen Zhen in San Diego just celebrated her one year birthday (video available of her climbing her cake). If you watch the panda cams, you can see Zhen sitting next to her mom (Bai Yun) and creating a scene that is very similar to the one pictured on the book cover for Zen Ties.
I'll let you know if and when Mei delivers. Hope Megan enjoys the story!
We love the sleepsack! we have tried a ton of different ones, but we found the Halo version is the best quality! Glad there is another smart Mommy out there keeping baby safe with a Halo sleepsack!
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