Is This MY Daughter???

Ella is a go get 'em type of gal.  She is a good sleeper, but when she is awake, she is constantly on the go.  So I was a bit surprised yesterday when I saw her lie down on the floor. One can only assume that her first visit to GYMBOREE tired her out.

Evidence #1

Evidence #2


Plus, Missy Moo took a THREE hour nap! But who can blame her?  She ran, and climbed, and bounced, and danced, and clapped, and giggled, and crawled, and chased, and played with the parachute!  But, silly momma forgot her camera.  Next week, next week. 

Plum Tuckered Tired

This does not happen often, but when it does, it sure is CUTE!

A Minor Miracle....

Ella  slept through the night.  
It is going to be a great day!

Success... Dare I Say It?!

I am almost afraid to post this blog entry.  I am afraid I might jinx our progress.  If you have been following BLISS regularly, you know that I have been trying to gather the courage, willpower, strength or whatever you call it, to have Ella cry it out at night.  Well, Friday we began.

And I must say, I did not intend to start her CIO (crying it out) on Friday.  We did our usual routine.  She woke two times and I promptly went in to do our thing.  By the third time Friday night my body was not so understanding.  It refused to get out of bed and actually told my brain, "You have not had an uninterrupted night of sleep since God knows when.  Stay in bed.  Roll over, go back to sleep."

And so I did.  Ella cried. And cried.  And then went back to sleep.

On Saturday I figured we were already knee-deep in the process.  My body successfully convinced my brain to persevere.  Apparently my body is stronger (or just way more tired) than my brain, because when she did cry, I stayed in bed.  And guess what? She fell back asleep.

Sunday was a little easier.  I faintly remember her crying.  Dare I say that a full night's sleep is on the horizon?

Cry It Out

Operation SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT came and went.

Ella woke three times.  Each time I nursed her.

I flunked the test.

I knew I would.

*Entry style modeled after ERIN*

Sleepyhead....

Ella has a new sleep position.  As a newborn she slept on her back with her two arms above her head. Always.  As soon as those arms were raised we knew sleep was imminent.  It was a most welcome sign. 

Arms UP!

Ella has since abandoned her arms up sleep position.  Instead, she feels that it is more comfortable to burrow into the crib, face down and literally sleep on her hands,  holding her pacifier hostage.  No joke.  She always wakes with lovely imprints from her slumber.  

Ella modeling her sleeping marks after today's afternoon nap.

Look At This Face...

Look hard.  Look really hard.   It is the face of an angel who woke her momma up three times last night!  THREE!  The day is coming.  She sealed her fate.  In one week, and the countdown is on just so I can mentally prepare; we are going to let her (although I am not sure LET is the best word to use) cry it out.

So I have seven nights to cherish the cuddling, the hugs, the look of relief when I enter the room.  I know she will do fine, but will I?