Don't Forget

There are so many cute things about Avery.  I want to remember them all.  It seems so small, but I've come today to make a few notes.

She loves boots.  Last winter she loved her purple boots with the white fluffy lining and wanted to keep wearing them even when I pulled out the shorts.  I shouldn't have been surprised by her instant obsession with this winter's silvery boots with a white lining, but I admit I am surprised that she took also to her red cowboy boots!  The first day I had her put them on she stood up, sat right back down, and wanted them off.  Within a couple of days now she wants to wear them every day.  She can tell you "cowboy boots" pretty clearly too!

Three of her other pairs of shoes (yes she has a ton of shoes, don't judge me) have unicorns on them.  She'll tell you she wants the unicorn shoes, but she actually says "hay-corn" which is too adorbs.

She is also obsessed with her clip in hair accessory with the little yellow doggie on it.  She's still letting me pick out her clothes, but she decides how she wants her hair:  one pony or two, if she wants a bow, clip, or gummy, etc; she also picks the shoes.  Even if they don't match, it's okay.

Daycare Drama!

Our daycare was in the process of being sold.  Unfortunately, it sounds like the new owner's application was denied.  We learned about this Saturday evening rather abruptly from the current owner in a message saying the daycare was closing effective immediately (quite contrary to the plan that had been laid out).  Talk about a shock to the system.

I hate change.  I hate uncertainty.  I hate feeling like there is nothing I can do (that's pretty much the definition of needing to find a new daycare on a weekend night).  More than ANY of that, I loathe the thought of Avery being thrust into a scary/new situation that I can't explain to her in a way she would understand.

While I solved the need to obtain care I feel good about both for the immediate (this week) through the graciousness of a friend and neighbor and the assist of their nanny and for the longer term (starting next week) at a center that seems to have a program that seems like a good place for Avery to keep growing and learning... I can't eliminate the change in Avery's world.  I know that we'll look back after the dust is settled and all will be well, but right now I remain a bit stressed and trying to shake it off.

We're going to miss Avery's teachers. Maybe even one of her friends will join us there too.  I am hopeful that maybe we'll see someone at our new place as they are hiring and taking other students, but I know that's a long shot.

I prayed for guidance to know the right place and I do feel like I was pointed in a direction that points back to God, so I am trusting in Him that this is the place for us.

When I enjoy being told no.

When I take Avery to bed we go through our routine.  At the end, after our prayers, with the lights out I cuddle her for a minute or two.  She puts her head down on my shoulder and I rub her back.  It doesn't take long.  Usually I can say "are you ready to lay down with Sheepie" and she looks towards her bed and points - she's ready.

Tonight my inquiry was repeatedly met with "huh-uh" and she'd shift around and re-cuddle in.  This went on for a good 15 minutes before I decided I really needed to go ahead and put her in her crib and get downstairs to look at the work computer and do some dishes (whee).

I pray on one hand that I never spoil her or create a monster that requires being held to go to sleep, etc.  On the other hand, I pray that I never miss an opportunity to have a sweet moment with my sweet little girl.

Not who I used to be

Avery has been a different little girl for a few days.  She's still probably more pleasant than most babies, but we've seen/heard our share of tears lately (for no apparent reason).  Today she'd cry every time she was back w/ her Dad and I tried to get things done, but would settle for me (as I carried her about).

Friday daycare called and sent her home before noon as she threw up.  I worry it was another overfeed situation. I sent her the same amount of milk as I had other days, but I also sent yogurt (to replace her oatmeal) so that morning bottle didn't have 1 1/2-2 ounces poured off.  If the kept pushing it on her, she'd over drink and pop.  She did appear to have a _slightly_ elevated temp that afternoon, but it dropped down quickly.  She didn't get sick again all weekend though - so...?  But like I said, she's been a bit moodier, so maybe it's teeth.  That could cause lots of extra mucus too, which could cause the throwing up as well.

Her cribwraps arrived and I'm very pleased.  They are a higher quality/finished product than I expected.  They're very soft, the perfect color, and waterproofed on the back side.

Tonight I got her down a little early, despite a nice long nap earlier in the day and a shorter second one that was a bit late and not waking until 8am.  It does seem like she might be willing/able to shift to an earlier bed time without waking too early.  I was up pretty much all night last night due to a friend visiting, so I really should be in bed myself.

Last related item of the weekend:  on Saturday I got a bill from the hospital (actually care providers there) stating I still owe several hundred dollars from Avery's birth.  She's almost 10 months old.  Are you kidding?  Of course, I see nothing correlating those numbers w/ my healthcare (as having been paid - for that matter never billed, but they claim to have gotten money from my plan).  Regardless, I was maxed out last year, so good luck with that.  But it's annoying that I have some calls to waste my time on tomorrow.

More veggies

Last night we took on butternut squash and it also went very well.  The girl just loves her veggies, which is a wonderful thing.  It was nice to get to sit at home with her last night after two evenings on the move.

I'm also slowly starting to get a bit of a pre-bed routine started with her.  Often it includes watching an episode of the show I found that holds her attention (and I also enjoy) - Word Party.  We also take a minute to read a book and then to read a page from her prayer book before I rock her for a few minutes and put her down.

I've also realized that when she fusses a bit around 5 if I go and put a paci back in her mouth it buys more time than if I allow her to just fall back asleep on her own.  But even if I am too lazy to get up and re-deploy the paci the good news is she is pretty good about putting herself back to sleep after a few seconds of noise.