Sleeping Beauty

It's no secret that Ava has slept in our bed since the day she was born.  We tried everything to get her to sleep in her own bed, but she craved close contact.  She still does.  However, after almost two years, Lyle and I had both agreed that we needed to put more effort into getting her into her own bed.  Sometimes, parents just need some "alone time"...if you know what I mean.  As much as I love having Miss A in my bed (there's nothing quite like a chubby, cuddly, delicious smelling baby sleeping with her arm across your neck), I also knew that getting her into her own bed would be a trial.  I knew she would scream for hours and that was something I have never felt prepared for.  Hearing my babies cry/scream gives me major anxiety and I cannot, CANNOT just let them cry.  I have no control over that...I always pick them up and comfort them.  I told Lyle once that when we decided to finally make her sleep in her own bed, I would be sleeping in the car in the garage, to make sure I couldn't hear the crying and the please for "Mommy"!

Several weeks ago, when my double ear infection hit, I couldn't hear much of anything and I didn't feel well at all.  I spent most of each day in bed sleeping so I could escape from the pain.  Lyle was in charge of taking care of Miss A and one night, I guess he just decided to get her into her own bed.  I couldn't hear the crying and even if I could've, I'm not sure I would've cared. 

Here we are, almost a month later, and Sissy is now sleeping in her own bed.  SLEEPING IN HER OWN BED!  I feel like crying with happiness!  :)  She now takes a scheduled nap every day between 1 and 2 pm, for roughly 2 hours, and then is down for the night by 9:30 pm.  She still wakes up at least once each night, but falls back to sleep quickly with her bottle. 

Lyle and I are enjoying our own space again.  It's divine.  As much as I enjoyed sleeping next to my angel (I waited a long time for that angel and I was drinking in her scent each night), I am grateful to be able to snuggle with my husband again.  In many ways, that blasted double ear infection turned out to be a blessing.