a post that ended up being super sappy.

Guess who only weighs 17.9 pounds at 10.5 months?

Guess who is only in the 10th percentile for weight?

And the 25th percentile for height?

And the 75th for head size? (big brains for a smart toot!)

Guess who climbed up the stairs (caught her on the 3rd one) today while we turned our backs for a second?

Guess who is suddenly super attached to mama and actually - for the first time - cries for me to hold her?

Guess who said the word "clap" today while clapping?

Guess who stops dead in her tracks, flips around to face the television, then dances to The Hot Dog Song when it comes on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?


Why, it's Adalyn, of course!

Yep, her well check-up was today, and it went fabulous - despite leaving with tears streaming down her face -- a HepB and flu shot will do that to ya. I really didn't want to give her a flu shot. No reason specifically. I just hate giving her shots. But we decided to on a whim at her appointment.

Anyway.

We quizzed her doctor with a few questions -- most importantly about her sleep "issues." Adalyn is a horrible sleeper. Since the day I moved back to Kentucky when she was 8 weeks, it's been downhill since. I'll save everyone the major details but just say: she sometimes looks extremely uncomfortable, wakes up about 4-5 times a night (just to nurse for about... 1 minute each time), and randomly wakes herself up by trying to crawl or sit up in her sleep.

Lots of issues here. But common issues, so I'm not too worried or anything. The girl won't be waking to nurse at 10 years old.

At least we hope not, anyway ;)

So her doctor gave us a new "trick" to try. I'm not going to tell any of you all just yet, because it seems a little crazy to me... and I don't want to spill the beans unless it actually works. But tonight is night one of our little science experiment, and so far it seems to be working great. She usually wakes up 1 hour after going to sleep - and we aren't to that point yet - but hopefully it works.

I really try to keep everything in perspective when it comes to parenting. At the time, it seems like everything is SUCH a big deal. Like I should be freaking out that my 10-month old is a bad, bad sleeper. But during the day she is an angel. Full of smiles, developing just dandy, and life is good! Her sleep will work itself out. I'm trying to focus on her needs at this time in her life. And if she needs a little breastmilk 5 times at night? Sigh. Well, then that's what she needs right now.

Speaking of which, this past week I randomly burst out with watering eyes at the fact that she's growing up. What is wrong with me!? Seriously, every child grows up. But I feel like this time in her life where I get to pack her around, nurse her, hold her tight, squeeze her baby hands, kiss her teeny toes, rub the nape of her neck, smell her baby hair, and sleep with her squashed to me.. I feel like those days will be ending very, very soon. I feel like in a flash she will be five, and my baby will be gone. And she won't need me anymore. And I won't be able to hold her and squish her anymore. We joke that when the time comes that I feel like my "baby" is too big, it's time to have another one! Although we aren't joking at all, actually.

She's laying next to me now on her belly. She's breathing in perfect rhythm. Her little cheek is pressed on the sheets and she looks like absolute perfection. She is more than I could have dreamed of. I never want this to end.