Randoms.

We started sleeping training/cry it out with Claire on the 26th with the first nap of the day. We took the pacifier away (which was used only for naps and bed). The first day we didn't do a full cry it out but rather we would go in and pat for a minute or two and leave. The first nap she cried about thirty minutes then fell asleep. The second nap she cried around ten minutes and fell asleep. The first night she fell asleep no problem but was up in an hour crying. I think it took her about thirty min to fall back asleep. She then woke at 1230 and went back to sleep and then at 3 and I think she cried anywhere from 1.5 to two hours even with us going in and checking. Yesterday we started the full cry it out where we do not go in and check or comfort. Yesterday naps were better and last night was amazing. She went down at 615, woke at 8 and cried for about a half hour. She then woke at 1230 but didn't cry, just made a few noises and put herself back to sleep, same again at 230, and didn't fully wake until 5am! That is That's 8.5 hours of not waking and crying! That is an amazing feat considering she was waking every hour! Well this morning she woke up sick with some kind of cold so I'm not sure what will happen tonight and I'm sure we will lose some ground with the sleep training. I refuse to give the pacifier back but we may have to go in and comfort and check. For example, right now I am listening to wailing, which breaks my heart. I have to remember this is for her own good in the long run as well as my mental stability. 

Claire has always loved taking a bath. We have always used the puj tub, which has been pictured in previous blogs. This week I picked her up a seat for the tub so she can bathe with big sister. Ella has been beside herself with excitement since I got the seat. Tonight the girls finally got to take their first full bath together.

Helpin a sista out

A few of my favorite Christmas gifts from this year

A breastfeeding necklace from Kangaroo Care. All the materials are organic, safe, and natural. The purpose is for the baby, while breastfeeding, to touch it, pull it, play with it, teeth on it, whatever they like. Right now Claire literally pinches and claws my boobs so I was looking forward to this gift!

A new necklace. The wing says I dreamed a dream of you. The gold piece says Ella and Claire and the heart says Tom.

And of course a new pair of organic Toms!

We said farewell to Jessie on Christmas Eve. She makes her last trip to the North Pole on that night and remains til next year. We didn't really stress the whole behavior thing with Ella about the Elf. It was more about starting fun traditions and something for Ella to look forward to during the holidays. Finding Jessie was literally the first thing she had to do in the morning. She kept all of the notes Jessie left and put them in her jewelry box. I had fun with Jessie but have to admit I was ready for her to go! After almost 30 days of her being in our house I started to run out of places for her and ways to be creative! I took a picture of a few of her locations in the house, but this is by no means all of them!

On Jessie's last night she left Ella a note, some elf cookies, and a little figurine to remember her throughout the year. She also took a picture of Santa by our Christmas tree before they both headed back to the North Pole. Hee Hee. Ella was able to see it on the computer the next morning, as directed in the note. Please ignore the watermarking on the picture of Santa. We were too cheap to spend the ten bucks on the finished product and Ella never knew the difference. Ella when you're reading this years down the road, sorry honey! Doesn't mean we don't love you! And heck, by then you'll have realized Santa and Jessie were both things we made up!

And I wanted to put up a pic of the Santa's we made from Ella's handprints after we gave them to the grandmas. We made them from salt dough, Ella painted all the white on them, and I painted the details on them. I attached a little saying to them and they can hang on a tree. I made one for our tree as well.

Well yet another Christmas has come and gone. It will be officially over when I get my decorations down next week and finishing making yet two more ornaments with the girls.

And I will add that now that I am finishing up this blog, Claire has quit crying and is quiet. Let's hope for a peaceful and restful sleep for her tonight and that she is feeling better in the morning.