Counting Sheep

Ok, I give up.  I have been having sleep issues for about a month and a half now.  I finished a book series that I thought may be keeping me up, that helped temporarily but alas my sleepless nights continued.  I have tried everything: baths, yoga, breathing exercises, no ok minimal caffeine (just decaf coffee in the morning), reading before bed, limiting TV and technology, counting sheep, exercising, over the counter sleeping pills, and melatonin supplements but nothing seems to be working.  It literally takes me 5 or more hours to fall asleep at night.  I cannot pinpoint anything that has me overly stressed out, I am happy with my life- I just can't seem to turn my mind off and fall asleep.  Naps are a bust, going to bed early/late doesn't help either.  The sleeplessness and now slight obsession with getting to sleep is literally occupying way too much of my time and energy (which I don't have much of due to said sleeplessness) So for the sake of myself and those around me (specifically my husband who has been more than understanding of my issues despite my waking him up tossing and turning or throwing a fit because I can't sleep), I am turning to modern medicine in the hopes that I can finally get my circadian rhythm back in sync with the night and hope that I will stop tossing and turning and once again be a normal sleeping person.   Ok, just had to get that off my chest and now I feel much better! I am taking the fact that they had an appointment open today (and since Carolyn is sick I can take it) to mean that God is telling me it's time to just go see a doctor already!  Hoping that all of us get a good night's sleep from here on out!

A walk in the park

Carolyn went to the park for the first time to actually play this past week.  Here are some pics from it.  I tried doing this blog post from my phone last week but it wouldn't let me upload pics and now I can't find the actual post anywhere.  So here are the pictures and as you can tell Carolyn had a blast!  Thanks Abby and Claire for inviting us to play with you!

 Wasn't really sure about the grass...  

 Slide love

525,600 minutes

"Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes,Five hundred twenty-five thousandMoments so dear.Five hundred twenty-five thousandSix hundred minutesHow do you measure, measure a year?

....

Oh you got to got to

Remember the love! You know that love is a gift from up above Share love, give love spread love Measure measure your life in love."


As we reflect on Carolyn's first year of life some of the lyrics of the song "Seasons of Love" from the musical RENT seem very appropriate (plus she loves singing to this song!)  to describe our first year with Carolyn.  This year has been filled with such immense love and we can't believe how blessed we are to be her parents.  I must admit that we have been a little sad as she has been transitioning from baby to toddler.  She has now fully transitioned from bottles to sippy cups, is mastering walking, beginning to talk, and just overall looks and acts like a toddler now.  We are very aware that we are blessed to have a daughter who is growing and developing exactly as she should be it is still bittersweet to know that she won't every be this small again.  It has been such an incredible first year and we can't wait to see what this next year brings.


Here are some stats:
Height: 30.5 inches
Weight: 24.5 pounds (90% in both...)
Eating: Loves fruits and veggies, hates applesauce and being fed
Sleeping: Still a great sleeper (except at day care)
New Achievements: Walking, saying "no", drinking from a sippy, moving furniture, unpacking the diaper bag, and waving and clapping. 
Loves: Lovie, the dog-dog, stuffed animals, books, and Praise Baby

We love you so much CareBear.  You have made our lives complete and we hope that you always measure your life in love!


In case you want listen to the song from Rent!  It's one of C's favorite dance tunes!