Janine! You sound like you could really use a hug, a stiff drink and a long sleep in that order. You poor thing, I'm sorry things are so hard for you. You're doing such a good job taking care of Ci, you're working so hard to do what is right for you both and that's really amazing. I don't know if I could do it. Sometimes the things that are the hardest to do, the roughest to live through are eventually the most worthwhile. It can't can't CAN'T be like this forever. I wish I could drop by with some nice food and arms so you could sleep. Please look after yourself. It's ok to compromise a little bit to save yourself.
Been looking at the stuff online, I realized I asked a silly question as soon as I saw the sheer volume of literature. Its interesting, a lot of the stuff seems like common sense to me- like small children being frustrated by adults who make them the center of focus and so they push them to see when the adult will be an adult. Very interesting...

Beatrix- So good to hear little MJ is on the mend. That sounds so scary...

Nettie- I hear you about the cold messing with "plans." How the heck am I supposed to tighten everything back up and slip back into my cute clothes when its so cold all I want to do is cuddle up on the couch with the baby and eat fatty food? Sigh. Measured myself today for some clothes I'm ordering online and was a trifle depressed to note I'm still carrying an extra four inches on hips and waist. Didn't even bother with the bust. That's the one that's really getting me down. Oh well.

Meg- CONGRATULATIONS!! That's so wonderful, do you have a date or anything yet? Are you just absolutely beside yourself happy??

SG- I was afraid of rolling onto Lila or the covers being pulled over her face when she was smaller, but now she's so very substantial that it hardly seems likely. I kind of started to like her being in the bed with us in the morning and so did DH. She hasn't wakened at an ungodly hour for a few days and we kind of miss her. Kind of.

We're back on the 10/11pm-8/9am sleep pattern and that's a relief. She has little kips during the day but that's it. I've been putting her in the bouncernet or the highchair when I'm in the kitchen because she's too big to be easily front-carried when I need to work. Still good for outings. I think she laughs about twice as much as she cries- everything is hilarious. Got a shock this morning, I put her tummy side down on the rug and slipped into the bathroom. I came back and she was all but on all fours. Looking around a grinning because she knew she was being clever. I thought we'd have another month or two before she was doing that.

Also I've been intrigued by things I've run across about teaching your baby to read so I'm experimenting. I have a stack of big flashcards with words on it that she hears daily. I read them out to her and run my finger along the bottom. She is interested, looks very intently at them. It's kind of a game, I'm not like being a Nazi about it. Very interesting. I assume it works because I don't remember not being able to read myself. Anyway we'll see.