White Noise

by LoriAnn

On Saruskabeth‘s suggestion, I’m trying out white noise to help Tigger sleep through tractors, delivery trucks, roosters, dogs, and the other loudnesses of China (I currently hear a rock concert outside, but it’s just the grand re-opening of the furniture a block of way). We generally play Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? by Rivertribe while she naps (the same music she was born to), the only problem being that the volume is inconsistent, so it might get quiet right when the dogs outside really get into it.

Remembering

by LoriAnn

Tigger with her favorite toy: a green washcloth from Kathleen (thankfully she sent several!!)

As I tried without success this morning to help a very sleepy Tigger drift off into sleep land, I remembered the days when holding her against my chest was enough to induce a nap.

Now, laying her tummy-to-tummy with me begins a mountain climbing expedition. Laying her on her side prompts roll-over practice. And laying her on her back atop my chest, she strains her neck so hard to make eye contact with me, she almost falls off. Or tightens her tummy in a baby sit-up, trying to… well… sit up!

It’s really rather cute!

Happy 4th month birthday, dear!

Napping Babe

by LoriAnn

Oh, the challenging of parenting a baby. Every day, a new chance to put those problem-solving skills to use!

Over the past weeks since we’ve been back in China, I’ve been frustrated with Tigger’s apparent lack of naps. “Oh no,” I moaned, “we’ve traveled so much so only knows how to nap in a moving vehicle. Now we’re home in our town where we walk everywhere, and she simply can’t nap!” She’s been cranky every day, rubbing her eyes, yawning, but not napping. I even bought Elizabeth Pantley’s No Cry Nap Solution and read it in one day! Three days into its plan for helping your baby nap (today), I decided to stop recording her nap durations and frequency, and to just watch her instead. Which is actually one of the book’s recommendations, after giving tips for recognizing your baby’s cues.