A Week of Firsts

This has been a big week of firsts for us:  some good, some bad, and some sad. 

First First

I already mentioned this one:  Sarah Ellen rolled from her back to her belly all by herself.  She still has only done it one time, but came very close again today.  This little one might be our athlete. She also started grabbing her toys this week as you can see below.

Second First

The next first is the not so good one.  Sarah Ellen has been busting out of her swaddle for quite some time now, but it hasn't disrupted her sleep too bad, until this week.  So, the dreaded moment came when I decided to put her down unswaddled.  I started yesterday with naps.  She wasn't too happy about this, but finally fell asleep for a measly 45 minutes.  She surprised me, however, in the afternoon when she slept for 3 hours unswaddled.  I got a little too confident and thought how easy it had been to wean her.  Then the big debate came on what to do at nighttime.  Since she had done so great during her naps, we put her down unswaddled but in a sleep positioner.  She had wiggled out of that in 15 minutes, but fell asleep pretty easily.  At midnight, she woke up screaming and I couldn't see her in the video monitor.  I went to check on her and she had one arm and one leg through the rails and her head was smashed up against the side of the crib (I had already removed the bumper since she tends to wander around in her crib).  I moved her back to the middle only to be woken up again an hour later to her screaming.  This time she was turned completely around.  In my very tired state, I made an executive decision (the one to get me the most sleep) and swaddled her up.  She snoozed right on through.  We will just start with naps for now. 

Third First

Lily and Sarah Ellen took their first bath together tonight. We hadn't really planned on this, but it seemed silly to get Lily out, drain the tub, and refill it, so we just put Sarah Ellen in with Lily.  I think both girls really enjoyed this. 

Fourth First

We brushed Lily's teeth tonight with real toothpaste.  Up until now, we have been using the kiddie toothpaste that they swallow, but we figured we had to teach her sometime.  I don't do so well with spit, so I let Daddy tackle this task.  Lily did great, but, of course, swallowed all the toothpaste.  She didn't seem to mind too much, since she wanted to do it again. 

 

Fifth First

This one is more of a last than a first.  Tonight was Lily's last night to sleep in her crib.  Tomorrow we are going to turn her crib into a toddler bed.  It really won't be too different than her crib.  We just have to remove the front piece and it converts into a toddler bed.  The big difference will be that she can get in and out by herself.  I see some potential advantages and potential disadvantages to this.  We will just have to see how this one plays out.  Stay tuned for our next first:  Lily sleeping in her big girl bed. 

These girls are growing leaps and bounds right before our eyes.  I was pretty misty-eyed when we left Lily tonight.  Big girl bed this week,  college next week.  I try to keep this in mind when I become overwhelmed with my children's dependence on me.   I imagine the day will come when I wish I could read one more book, put together a puzzle, or get up at night to comfort my children.  These days are tiring, but so very rewarding.