Update on changes…
So a mere 3 days after I wrote that last post, Riley nursed for the last time. And as of yesterday she is happily drinking milk from her sippy cup (we did water + a drop of milk, then increased to 50:50 mix, then finally no water at all. pretty smooth). And bottles are only a distant, and maybe forgotten, memory. And she’s sleeping beautifully at night. All this just goes to show the experienced parents out there, like Peg, David and Brigitte, and Becky’s mother Anne, are all correct in advising that babies go through phases and you just have to relax and know they’ll be fine…
The sleep thing is really very sweet actually. In the evening we put on Norah Jones and get her changed into her pajamas, then turn the lights down low and read a few books (she likes “Hop on Pop” by Dr. Seuss which my dad gave her, because there are so many things to point at. her favorite page is the one with all the balls flying everywhere). Then the lights go out and the door closes… at which point she used to immediatly cry, knowing that it meant bedtime. Now she just lays her head on your shoulder and plays with your hair (or for Sage, strokes his cheek) with her free hand, and we just rock slowly or walk around the room… it’s kind of like slow dancing. After about one song, you can lay her in her crib, not quite fully asleep, and she just curls up with the lion and goes to sleep. occasionally with a little protest that’s over by the time you’re out the door. amazing.
Naps are still a battle, especially at daycare, but hey, you can’t win them all at once…
The best thing is she’s just been so happy all weekend. Super smily and talkative and playful.
This morning she had her 1-year check-up with Dr. Drucker, who says no peanuts for another year (apparently she sees a kid with a new peanut allergy every week). Otherwise pretty uneventful. 3 shots (including the chickenpox vaccine). Riley is 30 inches tall (74%) and weighs 20 lbs 2.25 oz (30%). Apprently it’s perfectly normal to have mismatching height and weight percentiles…
I read an article today about Norah Jones. She said that lots of parents put their children to sleep listening to her albums. Norah was a little perturbed with this, but then realized that she has dreamy, bluesy, laid-back music. I’m so glad that Riley likes to slow-dance before she goes “night-night”. I remember doing the same thing with Mr. Sage. All of your experiences with Riley bring up so many memories! So—sleep tight, Riley. —love, Gramma Peg
How interesting! It didn’t occur to me that Norah would be a popular
choice for babies… we just didn’t really like any of the lullaby music
we heard. How funny!
One more thing….I have a great CD that Linda Ronstadt made for her children when they were little to help them sleep. The songs are rock songs sung in a slow, easy way, and is just great listening. I love this CD and will send it to you. I think it is called “Dedicated to the one I love…” Riley will be singing songs from the 60’s and 70’s. –Peg