Progress and Setbacks

First for the progress: Ruby is back in her crib! We got a new queen size bed in there that sits lower and is easier for her to climb on and off. It's also a lot sturdier (with no gaps) like the old one. It was never meant for her and made me nervous that she might fall in the gap at the end of the bed between the bed rail and the mattress. I always had pillow shoved in there. Anyway, the new bed frame is great and we pushed Ruby's crib up against the end of the bed and lowered the rail so she could easily climb onto the bed. We told her that Daddy missed us and wanted to sleep with us. We asked her where she thought Daddy should sleep and she pointed to the bed. We asked where Ruby should sleep and she pointed to the crib!

The first night she went down great, but woke up 4 times crying. By 4am, we brought her into bed with us. All 3 of us tossed and turned for hours. Then last night (night #2) she only woke once for 5 minutes, then slept the rest of the night. Hooray! She also went right in her crib for naps the last 2 days...as long as I stayed with her. So I take my lap top in or read a book and she goes right down. Last night before bed she was really cute. She was almost out when I put her down, but then she realized where she was and she got up to look at where we were. We laid there very still and quiet, trying so hard not to laugh as she'd go "uh!" and pop her head up to check on us...then do it again 2 seconds later...then 3 seconds more...then a minute later...then finally...silence! Before I start screaming success, I better see how we sleep the rest of the week. Still, it is definitely progress!

Now for the setbacks: Ruby has giardia again. Why are they lingering on? How many rounds of meds does the child have to endure? I wondered why she has seemed more cranky and didn't want to sleep. Poor baby, she must be sooo uncomfortable! I'd be moody, too! She is bloated and yet lost the 1.6 lbs that she gained over the last 2 months. I am fighting to find more foods that will fatten her up since we are yet again off dairy. I bought her cookies today and she had one and then requested "cackers, pease!" Guess I will be eating the cookies. (Oh, twist my arm!) Using the word please a lot and is so much sweeter than I would be with a stomach ache, gas, and ear infection. She is on 2 different antibiotics and that can't be easy on the belly either. She is eating like a champ though. So that is good. It is also good to at least know what is going on with her.

Having said all that, today was a good day. She woke up happy, Daddy came with us to Little Gym, and they both enjoyed it. Later we did colors, play dough, puzzles, and fun stuff. She identified the colors of the play dough (red, yellow, blue, & green) and even said "play dough" which I didn't know she knew. We colored with her Dora book and now that she watches that with Daddy, for the first time she looked at it and identified things. We were just coloring and she yelled "backpack!" Cute. Then we played music and I drug out every instrument. She especially loves her guitar my mom got her. Such fun!

She is now kicking back in front of the tube with Daddy. They watch the interactive shows (Little Einsteins, Dora, & Mickey Mouse Club) and he is very involved with her. I can hear her talking and answering questions and laughing. It's really cute. A nice end to the day and I am keeping my fingers crossed for a good night's sleep for all of us tonight!