Family, Friends, Love & Laughter...

SO--Maelle is now over 9 months old, and a few weeks ago, we took a trip together to visit my parents in Alberta.

She really is a great traveler, on the way there she slept for 2 hours of the flight and then spent the other 2 being entertained by the 3 grandmas sitting behind us. It was such a relief to have things go so well. My dad picked us up at the airport, and we were off to little old Claresholm to being our visit.

It is an understatement to say that Maelle's Grandma and Grandpa are in love with her. I'm pretty sure, that if I just sent her, they would not even notice I was gone. Which is just how it is supposed to be. They spoiled her, played with her, hugged her, kissed her, and just generally enjoyed her. I loved being able to watch it all.

Maelle even got a special visit from Santa Clause...hopefully she isn't too traumatized.

Not to worry though, Grandpa came to the rescue and cuddled away all the tears.

I got to visit with my best bud Ashley, and her husband Caleb. So great. I miss being close to her--and they fed me too. Which was wonderful :)

I also got in touch with the girls I went to highschool with. It was the first time in a very long time we were all together--and it was so cool because we all had babies this year. I'm a little behind though, they all have 2, I've got 1, so I have some ground to make up. ;)

My sister came down with her kids, and we got to spend time with them. Overall, the trip was great--poor Matt was super lonely having us away, and we were glad to be home, but so glad that we got to spend some time with everyone!

Halloween & Other Things...

So. Life is busy. Wonderful, but busy.

Many already know, but just to update, Maelle is CRAWLING.

AND, she is getting fast. I literally, walk be

hind her moving things out of her reach--baby proofing has been fun. She is loving getting into EVERYTHING (or at least the stuff I'll let her.)

Her newest achievement, she can stand in her crib by herself. One night, I put her down in a dark, quiet room for bed, and then just to see what she would do, I snuck to a corner of the room to watch her. She immediately sat up, and started trying to grab the top of the rail of her crib. You could tell, the wheels were turning, and she was determined to figure out how to stand up. It took her about 10 minuted before she worked out the logistics of such a move, but she it did it. Let me tell you, when she did, th

e grin on her face as she popped her head over the rails and caught my eye was priceless. She was a giggling, happy, jumpy little girl and SO proud of herself. Now, I expect to see her like that every time I come in to pick her up. What a little darling!

Halloween for us was fun--Maelle was a rockstar, her costume was complete with a black tutu, a fender shirt, and a guitar prop (that she loved to slobber on.) We didn't take her trick-or-treating, but we did have fun taking a few pictures and watching her fascination with her tutu.

She is changing SO fast, and it is SO fun to watch it happen!

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.

A Happy Half-Birthday

That's right! Can you believe it???!!!?!? MAELLE IS 6 MONTHS OLD TODAY!

Can someone please tell that sweet little baby of mine to stop growing up so fast?!?
She is officially now eating solid food--in fact, today was her first taste. She had rice cereal, nothing fancy, but she loved it, and of course, she got it absolutely EVERYWHERE. It was so great.

The Whole Tooth...

Maelle has been teething for quite a while now, and today, all that gnawing and chewing and drooling paid off. She has officially cut her first tooth. It's on the bottom front, and a sharp little sucker. I know it's a little funny, but Matt and I are bursting with pride...every little accomplishment and indication of growth has us beaming, and this is no different.

Way to go Maelle! WE LOVE YOU!

Cutting ties...already

So tonight is the first night that Maëlle is going to sleep in her own room, and not in ours. I know I know. By most people's standards we're probably well behind on this. She is almost six months old now.

But believe it or not the first ties that we are cutting with our first daughter are quite difficult. We'll see how the night goes. We're hoping that her being in her own room will lead to better quality sleeps without us disturbing occasionally.

Because Babies Are Meant to Be Spoiled...

All babies need grandparents--especially ones that spoil them. My parents came to visit with my sister for a week, and it was great to have them. As always, it was a whirlwind, but so great. We went shopping (oh did we go shopping--wish my sister was closer, we'd do it more often,) we went to the Palmyra Pageant, Niagara Falls (the boys went on the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour, the girls...shopped...) and we had a generally great time spending time together and watching Maelle get SPOILED!!

Grandma and Grandpa spent a little bit o'money and Maelle came away with one fantabulous exersaucer, a piggy bank, and clothes, clothes, clothes...It was awesome, and Maelle LOVES it all. The exersaucer is super fun, and Maelle LOVES it. She is reaching for toys and there are so many lights and things to grab, it keeps her very occupied. :)

Grandparents and Aunties are amazing. I am so very glad they got to come and visit!