I got to thinking about my previous post this evening, and I just wanted to clarify something. Although I love D unconditionally and can’t get mad at her when she’s miserable and screaming in my face because it’s my job to fix whatever’s causing the misery, I wasn’t trying to imply that every day of parenthood is rainbows and unicorns. Some days it is, but others it’s really really hard work. In fact, about 7 weeks after D was born, I announced that I had had all I could take and I was done being a mommy. Remember that lack of patience with which I was blessed? Yeah, it had kicked in big time at that point, fueled by broken sleep and lack of a newborn instruction manual.
So I certainly wasn’t trying to say oh hey, look at me, I’m such a great parent because I soothe my crying baby to sleep each night. No, not at all. Hell, I have no idea if I’m a good parent or not. Granted D hasn’t broken into the neighbors’ homes or kicked anyone’s cat yet, but she is only 7 months old. There’s still plenty of time for my parenting skills to pass or fail.
I will claim one small victory though. D actually went to bed peacefully again tonight. *knock on wood* I’m not sure if it was the bowl of cereal I fed her around 6:00, or her not taking her usual evening nap, or me nursing her the last time in the rocking chair in her room instead of on the couch, or leaving her Jerry Garcia songs for kids on in her room, but I’ll take it. I put her to bed at 8:30, which might be a little early, but it’s not too far off. Generally she’s in bed around 9:00, so hopefully this will work. We did hear one little wail a few minutes ago, but I think it may have just been a sleep terror. Fun, huh? Fortunately it was a singular squawk, so hopefully his friends don’t come out to play later. Keep your fingers crossed for a full night’s sleep to go with the scream-free bedtime!