Teething.

It's not for sissies. That's all I can say.

Prayers that poor, poor, POOR Girly Pie's two top front teeth come in soon so that her misery can end. The poor child is grumpy, eating little, nursing fitfully and sleeping terribly.

And Mommy is ready to have her smiley, scooty, wiggly, happy, sweet girl back.

Oh, and Mommy is also ready to sleep somewhat consistently again. At least for a night or two.

Health Update

Just for those of you wondering and/or praying, we did go into the pediatrician today and she checked Girly Pie's ear out. Much to my surprise and delight, Girly Pie is ear infection-FREE!!!

WOO-HOO!!!

Apparently she has enough wax in there to possibly cause her some discomfort, but no pain. Also, the tail end of her cold, along with some teething troubles are probably what are making for some restless nights and fussy days. But I can take teething and colds any day over ear infections and hearing-inhibiting ear fluid. Every sickness that one of my babies makes it through without an ear infection is a blessing in my family. So bring on the fussy days and sleep deprived nights. I've got a healthy set of ears so I am a happy Momma!

And, as my good friend Mary Grace reminded me today, there may just be a little bit of maturing happening in my soon-to-be-seven-month-old. So where she used to be quite content to just be in my arms or in the wrap while going about our daily rounds with the big brothers, she may be getting to that point where my presence alone is just not good enough. She is not happy unless she has my full attention to boot. Not that I wouldn't be thrilled to offer her my full attention all the time... it's just going to take a little work and some tinkering with routines and schedules to take my attention away from the other bazillion things going on in a day.

So time to make Mommy-daughter time a priority, which I admit I am very excited about. This is clearly one bright, social, engaging, interactive, playful, sweet, alert and active little girl. It is just delightful to watch this girl grow!

Girly Pie and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

(Big sigh)

I forgot how hard a day can be when one of your babies is really, really sad.

Sure I've had plenty of tantrum-throwing-defiance-filled days with my Darling Goose lately. Part and parcel of life with a two year old. But that's kinda sorta his own thing, you know? I feel bad for the kid, but that's his job - to test the limits and see what happens.

But my poor, poor little Girly Pie has had just a horrible day today. She's normally just happy to be along for the ride. If she's hungry, I nurse her, and she's happy. If she's tired, I snuggle up with her and nurse her to sleep, and she's happy. If she's a little grumpy, I carry her around in the Moby wrap, and she's happy. If she's feeling too confined, I let her roll around on the floor, and she's happy. Do you see the repeating theme here?

HAPPY. Girly Pie is normally very HAPPY.

But today? No. My Girly Pie is not happy today. My Girly Pie is just plain old sad.

She hasn't wanted to nurse, she hasn't wanted to play, she even cries when I carry her in the wrap. Every time I get her down for a nap, she wakes up crying again within 10 minutes. It's just not like her. And I feel so bad for her!

Two of my three boys had teeth by 5 months, so I'm suspecting that is playing a part in this. Her first teeth are likely working their way up today in a way she understandably is not tolerating too well. But still. I just want my sweet baby girl to be happy and feel better.

So today I am praying for peace and rest for my sweet Girly Pie. It is just so hard to see someone so innocent and helpless feel so bad.

I finally found some Tylenol and gave her her first does of drugs in her sweet little life. And she is taking her first real nap of the day.

So, thank you Lord for acetaminophen.