In the continuing trend of defying expectations, sleeping is an issue now. No one is getting much.
The current ritual is a nap from 12-3, bed time at 7:30, right after her bath. Regardless of how tired she appears, she does not want to sleep. Jenn gave her a bath after we got back from the park this afternoon and she lay down on the tile floor, wet and naked. That indicates exhaustion in my book. Jenn immediately got her up, dressed, and ready for bed. When we put her in her crib, what happens? Cries. Screams. Pushing our attempts to comfort her away. She does not like to be touched or soothed when placed in her crib.
I tried going in her room and sitting in the rocking chair with the lights out. She stared back at me. “It’s time to sleep. It’s time to take a nap”. More stares.
I leave the room. Immediate cries. I come back in the room. No cries. I leave the room…you get the picture.
I asked my dad if he thought she was going to be strong willed. “Definitely”. That’s what I was thinking. Maybe every child is this way. I have no idea, this is my first. I feel like Jenn and I have been given a female baby Clark Kent, a child with limitless potential and the will power to make her dreams reality.
Each day we’ve been going to Sweetwater Creek State Park, walking the dogs and using the Hummer version of a stroller we got from Stephanie, Steve, and Charlie at our baby shower. It is amazing and she loves it.
After a lengthy stroll and some walking we ventured down the pathway to the creek to take in the rushing water and enjoy the turtles sunning themselves on the rocks. Penelope was, as you can tell, tired from all the activity.
Later Jenn got some books out and read to her. It was the first time we’ve seen her show any interest in our reading anything to her.
This particular book, “I Love You Like Crazy Cakes” is a fascinating tale for young ones and a tear-jerker for adults, especially those prone to Chinese adoption stories. Not sure how many times we’ll be able to read this one to her. She will think books are supposed to make up cry.
