Lyla is very interactive. She's almost always the first to smile. She loves to smile. Lyla's smile could melt the coldest heart. She has a joy about her, an innate joyfulness that just makes me so happy to be her mama. She lights up my day with her bright eyes and her up-for-anything attitude (except for sleep, she never wants to sleep). She is especially into having adventures with Sawyer. Unfortunately for them, I often cut their adventures short because they most commonly involve Sawyer pulling Lyla across the floor by an arm or leg.
Lyla loves her mama! She definitely shows a preference for me. You are probably smirking to yourself thinking, "Of course, Amanda. You are her food supply...duh." Sure. But this preference, although certainly influenced by my ultra-creamy mama milk, has more to do with Lyla's genuine love for me. We have a real connection, a mother-daughter connection. She clings to me like a little koala bear. I love to feel her spindly little fingers clutch my shirt as I hold her on my hip. She rests her little head against my shoulder and I can feel her become relaxed and ready to take in the world around her. There's no place that Lyla would rather be than propped up in my arms.
This attachment has unfortunately spilled over into her sleeping habits. Lyla has a difficult time staying asleep for longer than 30 minutes during the day, unless she is sleeping next to me. Likewise, her night sleep has devolved into spurts of no more than 2.5 hours at a time. Sawyer followed this same pattern and never improved until we let him cry it out at six months. I let Lyla "cry it out" for the first time tonight (Happy 4month Birthday Lyla!). She did well. She cried on and off for about 30 minutes until she finally was fast asleep. Hopefully when she wakes up I'll still be her favorite person.
Lyla's also very opinionated. If things aren't going quite her way, she lets you know her disappointment using a rather ungentle, ear-piercing shriek. It's other wordly, really. However, as soon as you fix the problem, although at times it takes a while to figure out what the problem is, she turns the shriek off like a light and there's hardly any sign at all that she's been screaming her head off for the past five (or 10 or more) minutes. Neighbors and friends often refer to Lyla saying, "She's got a set of lungs on her, huh? It's a good thing she's cute." One of them is convinced that Lyla is "going to make a big impact on the world one day." Hopefully, she learns that manipulating people with her adorable little smile takes a lot less energy than going ballistic every time she wants something. She is settling down a bit now. Her cries are not as shrill and urgent as they were just a few weeks ago. Thankfully.
Here are some other things to know about her:
Lyla loves her toys. She loves to grasp and gnaw on her "little friends" any chance she can get. When they are out of reach she gets really, really mad. Lyla is sensitive to sound. She's easily wakened by our creaky floors or when we roll over in bed (Lyla sleeps in our room for now). To avoid waking her, I lecture Jonathan every night about how to be quiet as he enters the bedroom. Lyla had her first two teeth at 2.5 months. Poor baby. Lyla has a lot of tickle spots. Her favorite is to be kissed on the corner of her mouth over and over again. She can't get enough.
Good Morning Baby Girl!
3 comments:
A wonderful presentation of the fine virtues of my little granddaughter. Of course she makes her wishes known. #1 she is a Stradling and is not into mincing words. #2 there was a race of people whose children were always quiet and peaceable, whatever the shortfalls of their lives. Unfortunately, that line died out after with one generation, because their Mothers were distracted by other, more compelling priorities. The end.
I love hearing so much about her! This has made me even more baby hungry. I think really though, I just want Lyla. Can you put her in a box and send her my way?
I've heard that if babies get accustomed to falling asleep in silence, then they'll require silence to stay asleep. Who knows if that's really true.
Happy 4 month old birthday Lyla
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