Middle of the Night Woes!!!

Lately Carli has had quite a bit of trouble sleeping at night. It all started last Saturday night (Sept. 24th). Joe did their normal nighttime routine...bath, teeth, and story. He then tried to put her to bed just like every other night for over a year. Carli began to scream!! Not the usual crying like "I want to play instead of go to bed" but a blood curdling scream at the top of her lungs! So Joe goes back in and tries to calm her down, unsuccessfully. I had to go in and rock her until she went so deeply asleep, I could put her in her crib. Sunday & Monday nights, same scenario. Another hour of rocking to get her down. Tuesday morning though, she awoke at 5:15 with the same screams and wouldn't go back to sleep.

Tuesday night, it got worse. After rocking her to sleep, Carli slept for about an hour and then awoke to the same screams about 9:30. We tried to bring her to our bed to sleep for a bit. no go. First, we had to turn on a flameless candle because she didn't like the darkness. Then she thought the light meant it was time to play. She would lay down and then pop up. Over and over this happened for over an hour. Finally I just put her in her bed and let her cry. It broke my heart!!!! But afer about 15 minutes, she finally laid down. Quiet at last...but it didn't last. Carli awoke three different times that night-screaming each time. After trying to get her to calm down, I finally gave up and just let her cry it out. After 10 mintues or so, she finally did each time.

Wednesday was better. Carli woke up again about 9:15 but went back to sleep on her own after a couple of minutes. But then at 4, she was screaming again. She wouldn't calm down...probably because she could see the hall light was on from Joe being up...so she got to sleep in the bed with Mommy. No playing this time...right off to sleep.

By the weekend, Carli was still stirring in her sleep, but she was only whimpering for a few minutes. I will be glad when these teeth finally break through.

Where did the summer go?

It is hard to believe that my second summer with Carli is over. I have enjoyed being home with her, but I am ready to get back to my students. I have returned to my childhood watching Sesame Street again with her. Some of the characters have changed but many of them have stayed. We watched so much of the Fresh Beat Band that I am singing the songs even when they are not on. It has been great watching her grow and learn this summer. This fall should be fun as it brings fall festivals, Halloween, Christmas and her second birthday! Next summer will come so slowly!

Beach or Bust!

From July 24-29, Carli went to Emerald Isle with Daddy, Mommy, and Poppie (Elaine's dad). She had quite the good time!

Carli showed the waves no mercy! She loved to run in the spray and tried to "step over" the waves as they crashed against the shore. Most of the time, the waves would knock her down as she tried to walk into or out of the water. She would just laugh and laugh as she went back for more!

Carli loved the sand too. She enjoyed digging holes and picking up fists full of sand. She even helped her Daddy build a few small sand castles. She had a "sand snack" and took a sea shell hunting walk with her Poppie. She tried, unsuccessfully, to bring a bunch of sand home in her swim suit. She also tried to catch the sea gulls that were flying everywhere. Once Poppie threw a piece of a sea shell away and the gulls thought he was feeding them. Took a long time to get them to leave us alone.

On Thursday, we went to the pier and let the wind whip through our hair. Carli even tried to see what was WAY below, but couldn't get out of her stroller...much to her dismay. Then it was off to Dairy Queen for a little ice cream to beat the heat. Carli couldn't decide if she like the chocolate Daddy & Poppie had or the Peanut Buster Parfait Mommy was eating. Either way, she got lots of icold ice cream.

Carli really liked being with her Poppie. She chased him, laughed with him, played with him, and just enjoyed being with him. But everyone was glad to be home and sleep in their own bed!

1 & 1/2 years old!

Hard to believe that Carli turned 1 1/2 years old just a few weeks ago. She is really growing and her personality is shining through.


What do I love?

• the way her face lights up when Daddy gets home or when she sees Elmo anywhere!
• hearing her giggle as she plays
• her independence as she eats oatmeal with a spoon
• watching her find her favorites in flowers that she must touch and anything with polka dots
• learning body parts or how to pucker up & give a kiss
• listening to her talk-some words are clear ("here" and a very southern "hey") and some not as often as she once did ("mommy" & "daddy"); adding new words this summer ("bye-bye" & "uh-oh")
• RUNNING through the house just laughing as she chases cats that scurry across the baby gates to get where she can't go
• watching her dance and clap to music
• seeing her pull all the books off the shelf in her room to find just the right book to sit down and read
• her beautiful smile and expressive eyes-she is gonna cause trouble for her daddy when she gets older!
• listening to her snore as she sleeps
• the look on her face as she eats a piece of ice
• her tiny little feet

What drives me crazy?

• pulling everything out of drawers, baskets, paper from the printer...just about anything and everything she can get her hands on.
• struggling to get her to eat... She loves Joe's jalapeno potato chips and my pesto pasta. She could drink her weight in milk if we'd let her..
• Fits of anger when she doesn't get her way or when you have to change a diaper as she rather play.
• waking up at 7am...no more sleeping in during the summer vacations
• teething...will she ever be finished?

Would I change a thing?

Nope...I love her more and more every day. I can't wait to see what is right around the next corner with her.

Teeth

Carli is full of teeth! Her last two molars have finally popped through, but they sure did give us a fit.

Her top molars came through just after her first birthday in January. They really didn't give us any trouble at all. Then came the bottom ones. They were the devil of us! First came the one on the right. This one only caused a diaper rash and LOTS of slobber. It also took weeks to come through. The molar on the left was the trouble maker. Not only did it give her a rash for a long time, but it gave her a fever for several days. Carli was one miserable little girl. And just in time for Mommy to leave on a field trip. Daddy pulled through and stayed home with her.


Now, again the rash and slobbering. More teeth? Molars still getting to her? Only time will tell. But she will be eating more. At least if she is given blueberries or starawberries.

Happy Easter!

Last Sunday was the Easter Egg hunt at church. Carli had a blast. She understood the collecting of the eggs, but she couldn't quite grasp the idea of puttin gthem in her basket. She was content to just run with them. We tried to put her on the slide, but she did not like it. So off she went. Carli also had fun with her friends, Rory and Cora, who also came to the hunt.




On Easter Sunday, Carli went straight for her basket. She got a collection of toys for the sandbox she will have this summer, two new books, and some crayons. Of course, she went straight for the book. She also got a new dress from Grandma and a basket of goodies (and two more books) from her Aunt Joann.

After church, the family went to Grandma's for lunch. Carli enjoyed prancing around in the backyard in her new dress. She thought it was fun to run away from Daddy. She was fussy for a bit because she really needed a nap! And of course, she fell right asleep on the way home.

Click the link below to see a quick video of Easter pics.

Easter 2011

Carli is walking!!!

On January 29th, Carli took her first step! Kyle, Nancy, Meredith and Hunter were over at the house for dinner. After eating, we were all in the living room, when Carli just let go of the TV table and took one step. Needless to say, I screamed-scaring Joe. Nancy saw it too. Carli just laughed and laughed before dropping to the floor and crawling. Over the next few weeks, Carli would still only take one or two steps and only when prompted. She didn't really let go and just take one. Then around Valentine's Day, she began to get a little braver. She would come to the end of a table or chair or the wall and take a step or two-but not over 4. Last night, February 17th, Joe put Carli down to put Lucy out. As he walked away from her, Carli began to cry. Joe stopped across the room and looked at her and asked, "What is it?" Carli walked over to him-about 16 steps! For the rest of the night, Carli would continue to get up and use her new found confidence to walk. Over and over she would let go and take steps. Won't be long until she is really moving!