Another Milestone

The word "milestone" is defined as :

"An action or event marking a significant change or stage in development."

I'm sure most mothers can appreciate that watching your little one grow and reach milestones is bitter-sweet.

Sweet, because your baby is growing and healthy and wonderful. They are loving life, discovering all the amazing aspects of it. Everything from being captivated by the same goofy game of peek-a-boo (no matter how many times you play with them,) to simply fascinated by the "other" baby in the mirror.

Bitter, because your baby is slowly growing up, and won't be your baby forever. Just like a milestone was originally used to mark the passing miles towards a destination, so these developmental signposts are marking your little ones growing independence, and thus, their diminishing need for you.

I know. I'm being a touch dramatic, and I realize I still have plenty of time with my baby--sort of--I know that she will begin to need me in different ways; but, while we pass each milestone, each achievement, I shed tears of both incredible joy and sweet sorrow.

Now then, I wax poetic, and must get onto the meatier part of this post--the reporting of the actual MILESTONE Maelle has reached!

Wait for it...

MAELLE NOW SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT!

After much debating, agonizing, and general not knowing if we should or not, Matt and I decided it was time to try a little sleep training. Let me clarify. Maelle has never been a bad sleeper. She never went through that newborn stage of not knowing when it was nighttime and waking up and wanting to stay up in the wee hours of the morning. However, she definitely developed certain times when she would wake up and want to be nursed, not because she was hungry, but because she wanted the comfort of the whole experience. For a long time, we obliged, well, I did, and woke up sometimes 2-3 times a night to indulge her. After almost 7 months, that was getting old, and I was in serious need of a full night sleep.

Enter Sleep Training.

(I know there is a lot of different ideas about helping babies sleep through the night--so please, no criticism. We did what we thought was right for our family, others may feel differently, we understand.)

Can someone please tell me if we are the only parents to feel like our heart is being ripped out as our beautiful, sweet, innocent little girl is crying her eyes out in the other room? We were prepared for it. We read all the books that said that it was important for babies to learn to develop good sleeping habits, to self-sooth,

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Picture me at 2:30 in the morning, with my pillow and a blanket, on the floor outside Maelle's room, weeping along with her, listening to her, praying with all my might that she finds the blissful release that sleep offers.

No joke. That was me.

However, after one night of pure torture, Maelle seems to have got it.

Last night, she didn't make a peep until 6:30 am, when I happily got up, refreshed and relieved, and nursed my amazing, beautiful, lovely little girl--I can't begin to express how proud I am of her.

Milestone met.

My mothering becomes a little less necessary.

My heart becomes a little more full of love for my growing Jelly Bean.

Matt and I shed of few tears of joy and sorrow.

We look forward to the next milestone, anxiously anticipating while willing time to slow down.

We love you Maelle.