When we first got back, Luna was constantly wandering the house searching for "Ma" (her shortened version of Gramma) and Beau (Gramma's dog). It was heartbreaking, and so difficult to make her understand that she wouldn't be seeing them in real life again for a long while. She's now stopped searching for Gramma, but is still convinced Beau is around here somewhere. And every single dog we see or even hear in the distance is "Beau! Beau! Beau!" She loves that dog!
Getting Luna back on track with her sleep schedule was unbelievably difficult. After the third night in a row that she awoke at 10 PM and refused to go back to sleep, as Toy Story was playing in our living room at 2 AM, I announced in defeat, "She is never going to sleep again. I've ruined her!" But of course, she did sleep eventually. And after one extremely rough week, she is now pretty much back to her normal schedule.
She's been a papa's girl since we got home; she clearly missed him! He loves it, of course. She's constantly saying "Papa papa papa!" And anytime he is out of her sight she is asking for him.
If I weren't so busy taking care of a crazy toddler who is growing and changing so much every day, I could put up a new blog post about how much she is growing and changing pretty much every day. Where to even start?
She's running around like she was born to run, chanting, "Go go go go go!" She's developed an opinion about anything and everything, and makes sure to voice said opinions loudly, with much shaking of the head. She's got nearly a dozen new words, and has even started using some simple sentences ("Mama? Good!" after a tasty breakfast, and "What's that?" instead of the old standby "That?"). She is no longer afraid of the doll she got for Easter, and carries it around everywhere: holding it to her shoulder and patting its head, pulling off its socks and shoes and then begging me to help put them back on, pushing it around in the little doll stroller we got. The other day I said, "I think that dolly needs to go potty!" So she carried it across the room, opened up the potty, and placed the doll upon it. Ok, it was more like IN it, but she at least got the idea right!
We're nearing the end of breastfeeding I think. I am allowing her to self wean, and she is down to nursing once a day most days. I offer it to her at other times and she just shakes her head and says in her precious little voice, "No." I am sad, but also looking forward to having control of my own body again. My biggest fear was that I would lose my cuddle time with her, but as she has started the weaning process she has simultaneously become more cuddly, which is a relief. I get more snuggles and sloppy baby kisses than ever before, which make the process much easier on me!
It seems like overnight my child went from baby to little girl. I'd be crippled by sadness over that, if it weren't for the fact that this new little girl is SO MUCH FUN! It's so fascinating to watch her run and play and develop her coordination! It's so exciting to give her simple instructions ("Can you put these tissues on the couch for mommy?") and watch her follow them with such pride! She amazes me in so many ways; generally has me cracking up ten or fifteen times a day; and leaves me exhausted beyond belief but with a smile on my face every single evening. She has such a big personality! Look out world, here comes Luna!
