10 weeks

Let me start by saying that I am the proud mommy of a 10 week old! Can't believe how time has just flown by since Aria was born. She changes everyday, becoming more and more like a little lady and less like a squishy newborn.

I think Aria might be a thumb or finger sucker eventually. Ever since she discovered her hands last week, they have not stayed far from her mouth. She sucks, licks, and slobbers on them and sometimes a finger will stay in her mouth and she will suck away, soothing herself. I think it's cute. Being that she doesn't take a paci, I am all for her finding a way to self soothe. We will see.

Now for the real issue. Aria has decided to regress in her sleeping abilities. By regress, I mean that starting at about 7 weeks, she was sleeping for at least one 4-5 hour chunk at night; usually the first bit. Now, well now, she sleeps for 1-2 hour increments all night long. It is extremely frustrating.

For example, last night, I attempted to put her to bed earlier (she usually sleeps at 1am). She went to sleep at 11pm. Now the nightmare begins, she woke at 1am, I nursed her and cuddled with her. When she fell asleep I laid her gently in her crib, thinking with joy how I was about to get some sleep myself, but noooo, as soon as her little head hit the bed, her eyes popped open and she began squirming. I knew that the squirming is a bad thing and usually something that doesn't resolve itself rather needs my attention. I held my breathe and prayed that she would stop, that maybe it was just an involuntary muscle spasm. Like a scared human in front of a t-rex I stayed frozen in front of her. Time ticked like molasses, but the wait was to no avail, the squirming turned to little whines, which turned to snorting and then finally to full out crying. I broke my traced state and scooped up the little lump. I rocked her to sleep again and 3 more times, after gingerly lying her to sleep, she awoke. I finally just decided to hold her all night. She did end up having some gas, which is probably why she wasn't comfortable sleeping on her back. I can't wait for my Angelcare monitor to arrive so I can sleep her on her tummy with peace of mind. To make a long story short, or rather a longer story shortened a bit, she slept in my arms and continued to wake crying every 2 hours or so. She peed while I was changing her twice (I change every time she makes a toot, because she has a bit of a diaper rash) and poo sprayed on me once. I changed her outfit twice.

It is now 10am and we are up for the day after a most retched night. I got new batteries for her swing (stole them from my parents) and she is sitting in it in a little swaddled bundle. She just smiled a huge smile. How can I be upset with her. I can't, all the frustration from last night is slipping away, like sunshine breaking a cold, dense fog. I love her.