Pictures and Sleep Teaching

Sorry about not writing for so long...but July has been amazing and busy. Livi's Baptism was beautiful, with her Godmother and Father and their daughter coming from another Province, along with my Dad being here. The ceremony was like a little wedding, and the lunch was held at the classiest place in town. We truly loved it. That weekend was followed by my Sister in Law and niece staying with us for a week.....they were on their way to my parents' place (7 hours away from me) from Utah, and decided to make the 7 hour detour to come stay with us and meet Livi. It was wonderful to have them here...and of course, they adored her. A week later, they drove to my parents', and I flew there, to meet up with my brother who also drove up from Utah, but in a separate vehicle than his wife. That is a long but good story. So we had a mini family reunion (which is rare with my brother in Utah and me in the next province). I loved it very much. Livi was awesome on the plane....and thanks to everyone who gave tip and advice. It all worked out beautifully. When I check in to Westjet, I told them I was flying with her for the first time. They locked the two seats next to me so I would have the whole row to myself. AMAZING. I teared up when the lady did that. So Livi licked apple juice off my finger on the way up (she doesn't always take a bottle and never a soother), slept once we levelled out, woke up on descent and nursed on the way down. On the trip home, she latched on at take off, and feel asleep that way, nursing lightly in her sleep until landing and still sleeping until the elevator ride to meet Stef. Everyone helped with the stroller and settling me in. People and staff on planes are amazing when they see you with a baby. It's really cool. Here are some picture perfect moments:

Olivia's Baptismal dress and picture (how amazing is she) and yours truly took the picture. I taught hubby all he knows behind a camera :)

Posing for pictures on her special day

One with a smile too...

Mom and Dad

She slept through the whole ceremony, being rocked in my arms. Then was quite the model afterwards, during pictues. The personalized bracelett was given to her by our very own Jen from Jelly's Bean (who is now in her 2ww post transfer at CCRM.....praying for you my dear!)

While her Godparents and my dad were here, we went for a family walk around the lake. Her first time seeing geese....aaaawww  

First time flying....she's already a pro:

Meeting my birds at Grandma's house....the parrot was afraid of her and the lovebird wanted her toys....which is no suprise. He has 258 of his own, and it's not enough:

One of my friends that I used to Irish Dance with gave Livi her first pair of Irish Dancing soft shoes. Actually from Ireland, and an EXACT miniaure replica of the real thing. Padding and all. Now...she has NEVER noticed her feet, or even looked at them no matter what cool socks or shoes I had put on. Until now. Did I mention that she will be a dancer?

We went to a wedding at a lake front property at a dear friend's place. Livi upstaged the bride I'm afraid.... and she did AMAZING for a muggy, 30 degree C outdoor wedding with tonnes of strangers oogling her. Saw her first fireworks too!

Her laugh and smile continue to bust my heart at the seams......this one is for Grandpa, who lives for spending time with her:
 

 
July has been filled with joyful milestones. Full head control has made caring for her and interacting with her so much easier and safer. The first time she used her head to look up made me squeal with joy and laughter....especially when it was at a mirror above her swing. We live in a neighbourhood where the trees are so large, they canopy and touch above the street. She spends our walks looking up at them. Beautiful. The use of her hands and feet have completely floored me. She stomps my chest and face (on purpose) when I hover over her, plants her hands on my face when I kiss her, says "aaaahhhhh" back and forth with us, holds and pulls things to her face and mouth, and the most recent and endearing.....lets go of whatever she's holding to grab my hand, should it be nearby. Drop tear here.

And then there's sleep training. I call it sleep teaching, because that's what I intend on doing. I don't have a concern about Livi sleeping through the night, which all sleep training methods target. My concern is her being able to fall asleep without motion. We had to provide soothing motion of some sort for her so far because it provided a distraction from her belly pains so she could fall asleep. Now that's past and it's time to think about how to have her fall asleep without motion. I have researched and soul searched sleep training to a great extent and long into the night.....and is the reason I have not blogged all month. I've talked to everyone I know (Lisa....I even re-read your blogs from training L in January) and have come to a conclusion. Crying it out is not an option for us....especially after trying it for a nap once. Not doing it. But, if she is not taught how to drift off without motion by 6 months, we will have no choice. So I have agonized over how I'm going to teach her. I did not have a concrete plan until today. It is a method I created and got the idea for out of the blue, while strolling her to sleep at Chapter's Book store today. Stef sat in the nursery with me while I tried it for the first time today, at nap time. It worked. But it was the first time, and is a method that may or may not have progress....which is the key in any sleep training method. But it actually provides the opportunity for her to teach herself to fall asleep, without being left to cry. I will be happy to share details should it succeed......for a price.... MMUUUUAAAHHHAAAA.

LOL

Hold up your favorite summer beverage.....Here's to Livi......for a beautiful July and an August filled with lots of sunshine, tree filled walks, friends and family who love her, more awesome milestones, and beauty sleep on her terms, with no tears.