My sweet little Bear.
You are one funny nugget. You've got more personality in your pinky finger than most people do in their entire body. That's not to say I know what to do with all that personality all the time! But I sure do have fun with you.
You've become a bit of a "barnacle" these past few months. It all started with our anniversary trip to Telluride. Nana and Papa came out for a long weekend to stay with you guys. You did really well. And then we left the following weekend for Salt Lake City, and left you with Grandma and Andpa. And that's when it all started going downhill. You woke up multiple times a night, not going back down, crying hysterically and requiring that you be held. At. All. Times. This has basically continued until very recently. Daddy and I decided to systematically get you BACK TO NORMAL! It's working. Without going into too many bring details, we've instituted a very strict bedtime routine for both you and your sister, involving family story time in Hadley's bed, a short rocking chair snuggle upstairs in the dark with you, and then putting you down before you are asleep. This is the key. Sometimes you cry, sometimes you're fine (you mostly cried.. A LOT... until this last week. We think you're getting it now - we're not leaving you). Anyway - as much as we completely adore you and love you to death, it's been a bit exhausting. Add your sister's occasional nightmares and we're downright walking zombies.
But on the bright side, this has been the summer of grandparents! You've seen them all - multiple times. You also got to spend time up at Taylor Lake with your cousins Sophie and Josephine - this was the first time you ever met the Carters. It was so special for all of us. Aside from the cold and rainy weather that prevented a lot of outside activity, you were a trooper and had a lot of fun.
You've also had this chronic runny nose. I feel horribly for you. We actually had to use Benadryl for a few consecutive nights - multiple times - this summer. Though it helped you sleep, I always feel a little guilty about using it - like we're cheating you of the opportunity to heal yourself. But it was like the last straw - you were already so off kilter it really was just one less thing you needed to deal with in the middle of the night!
And yet through all of this you still have the uncanny ability to make everyone around you laugh! And no one - I mean no one - gives hugs like you. You link your little fingers around our necks and squeeze so tight! It's like getting a shot of pure joy right down to my soul.
I love you so much. At the end of the day you are still one of the sweetest, most loving and intelligent kids I know. I absolutely love every second of being your mommy.
iloveyoumadly.
mama
