Last Minute Madness

It was to be a glorious, hot sunny day in the Loops - and rather than sit around in the house (too hot for even a walk with the wee one) Daryl, Fletcher and I decided that since our last visit to Kelowna to see Grand-ma was way too short, we would meet 1/2 way in Vernon. On the shores of Woods lake, we had a wonderful picnic under the shade of a massive Weeping Willow.

This was all in celebration of Gabrielle's 3 month birthday. Where has the time gone?

Yesterday, Daryl, Gabrielle, my parents and I went up to Sun Peaks to partake of the Art and Wine Festival. We listened to the Kamloops Symphoney Orchestra (part of it) and some wood-wind quintet play beautiful music that lulled our little one to dream land. It was yet another beautiful day!

Pictures

I apologize for not posting any recent photos - I can't find the card reader, and the camera is missing too. Could be under the pile of laundry, or in the car, or with the stroller. One can never really know until one looks, but one doesn't have the time right now. I will try my very best to get some photos on this weekend, as Daryl is home and there is another set of hands to hold the wee one.
This past week was good and bad. Bad, cause Daryl was away and we really missed him, but good that we had a great time with my mom. She essentially moved in to our house and it was so much fun having a sleep-over! She came just in case Gabrielle's nights were crazy and I needed a hand - but her night times are SO GOOD that she sleeps from 6pm to usually 7am with one (sometimes 2) feedings in the night. After the feed, she is right back asleep, I hardly wake up for them! My mom doesn't hear a thing - she wakes up in the morning around 8am and comes into my room where I'm playing with Gabrielle on my bed. We're usually making faces at each other and telling the most wonderful stories! Anyhow, my mom asks if she slept through the night, cause she didn't hear a thing! Too funny. It's been so nice for the company as well. I think that has been the biggest shock is how much I miss people...I need to get out more, but with Gabrielle on a some-what schedule to try and get her to nap, I can't be out for very long. Plus, she is still kind of cranky these days.
This week had beautiful, hot weather in the Loops. Some days were too hot even for walks in the stroller after 10am! On Thursday, us 3 girls took an afternoon trip to Kelowna to visit my aunt Sylvia. We also popped in a surprised grand-ma Twyla at work...it was so funny! She actually cried! I'm glad that Daryl told us to keep it a secret. Seeing her face when she saw Gabrielle was priceless! We'll have to do that more often!
This weekend should be pretty tame. We might head to Sun Peaks for a few hours tomorrow for the wine, art and culture festival - but we'll see how the morning goes.
But I will try to get some photos up. Gabrielle has changed so much...even I notice it! She has discovered her hands and she is constantly trying to shove her whole fist into her mouth! She is swiping at dangling things and kicks at her activity gym things and shrieks with delight when they move. I really try to cherish the moments when she is like that - it makes the crabby/cranky bits pass much quicker! We will get through this...I have to remind myself that she is still just a baby - not even 3 months old yet...2 days till we hit that milestone! WOW!

Another Week...

Gabrielle is into her 12th week of life. I can't believe how fast the time has gone - yet there are days that pass so slowly and other that just fly by. The poor angel still refuses to nap any longer than 30 minutes at a time during the day yet thankfully her night-time sleep is excellent.
I've been off dairy and eggs for 12 days now with no real change - so we know it isn't that. YAY! I can have a bowl of cereal again! I'm tracking her wake/eat/fuss patterns to show to the Dr when we go next Monday. Everyone I talk to agrees that this is more than just a fussy baby. There has to be something else going on - or maybe she just needs to cry it out - maybe she's old enough. I'll wait to hear what the Dr. says...just a few more days. It's heartbreaking to see her so upset and unhappy all the time. It seems that her periods of smiles and quiet enjoyment are getting more and more scarce.

11 Weeks Young

Today, we are sleep training. It is much harder than I thought it would be, and since I am alone today, as Daryl is out mountain biking at Sun Peaks, my only support is from Fletcher.
So far, Gabrielle has been fighting her nap since 9:00 but has been quiet for the last 1/2 hour. I think she might be asleep...finally. She is just so gosh darn tired! I start off by feeding her, changing her, a good swaddle and a rock in the chair until her little eyes are all but slits. We make our way slowly and carefully to the crib, I kiss her and tell her I love her and place her gently in her bed. All is wonderful and quiet for about 15 minutes until something happens. Then she screams. I use to pick her up and rock her and start that process all over again to calm her down - but now I just try to do that from outside the crib and leave her in there. She screams less and less each time - but there is still less than 5 minutes between my visits. However - something had to give, and I think she might be napping! YAY! I don't dare leave my room and head down stairs for fear I'll have to bolt up here again. I try to get to her before the crying becomes hysterical and inconsolable. I wish I could nap now too!

As always, I am so thankful that she is sleeping so well at night. Last night - only 1 feeding at 2am - but we did soak though our diaper, sleeper & blanket - so we were up for a little longer than we wanted to be! I might go back to disposables at night - they seem to absorb more.

So our little angel is 11 weeks old today. So hard to believe how fast the time has gone! There are days that drag by, and others that just fly by - all in all, it's been pretty much a blur. We are close to the 3 month mark - and hoping everyday that the cries will subside and there will be more smiles and laughs.

I think that we're going to try to set up a routine again. Maybe she is old enough to accept parts of it. Daryl has to be in Vancouver and Squamish next week, and at first we were going to tag along again, but the drive, hotels, crazy hours and lack of "home" comforts (like the rocking chair) make it all a bit daunting for me. So, I think we're going to stay home. Thankfully I can call upon grand-mama if it all gets to be a bit too much. I am so very lucky to have her support so close at hand, and for her to be so willing and patient with Gabrielle as she exercises her lungs. maybe she will be an opera singer?

Rain Drops on Roses...

The song lists wonderful favourite things...whiskers on kittens, bright paper packages tied up with string...Gabrielle has anew favourite thing these days. Crying. Lots of it. All the time. Between the constant crying and lack of napping, somethings got to give, and I think it might be my mind.
I find myself wishing away the days, hoping that the next passes faster than the last so that we can get through these days of early morning wake-ups, followed by feedings (which, thankfully - are still going great - she is eating so well) and then the cycle of changing and trying to get Gabrielle to nap - always unsuccessfully - and mom trying to get a bite of food in every once in a while. I thought that maybe it is a food allergy that I am passing on to her - somehow - but how do we cut out everything. I'd have to only eat turkey, plain pasta, maybe spinach or something, and water. How long can this go on for? The only thing that stops the constant fussing and crying is excessive bouncing (are we shaking our baby too much?) and night time.
I don't want to regret wishing away this "wonderful time" as so many people have told me this is suppose to be - but I hate it. I know that hate is a strong word - but there is just nothing enjoyable these days. The occasional smile from her, the occasional moment of quiet - but the rest of the time - I just ask myself what have we done? I don't know what to do. I'm mad at myself for not knowing how do deal with this...I know all babies aren't like this because everyone else I talk to has these angelic little ones that seem to be taking in the world around them, smiling and enjoying life. How can Gabrielle be enjoying anything when all she does is cry. I feel like I've completely failed her.