So I came across
this story the other day. If you haven't already run across it, please, get your tissues ready before you read. It's long, but totally worth the time. It's gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, redeeming, falling in love kind of story. I've always kind of wondered about how it would be if I ever had a special needs child, and, as much as you love all your children, no matter what, wouldn't you be disappointed, crushed even? Just being honest, I can't imagine I'm the only one who has thought like that.
Well, I think after reading Kelle's story, I understand this so much better now. I love how she is so honest and doesn't sugar coat the hard parts. So really, go read it.
I also wanted to just share some of Bailey's new "things", though I know I won't be able to remember everything I've wanted to write.
The past three nights she has gone all night (from about 8pm to 7am) without nursing. She still wakes up, but last night she only woke up once (that I heard anyways) and only cried for less than a minute and went right back to sleep. As much as I enjoy being able to stay in bed all night, it does make me sad, as she *needs* me less and less. :( But I know, as my girl changes from a baby to a little girl, this growth brings lots of fun and exciting new things.
She is learning and pick up on so many new things every single day. She is picking up new words all the time and will try to repeat almost anything I ask her to. Her newest include:
*Baby
*Door
*Milk
*Dog
*Mommy (I just LOVE this!)
*Daddy
*Elmo
*Zoe
*and I know there are lots of other I can't think of right now!
And she's to the stage now, where even though she can only communicate so much with me, she understands nearly everything I say. She follows directions: If I tell her to go find her paci, she goes to look for it. She also knows what it means to go to bed and to go brush her teeth. Those are my favorites, but like I said, she really can follow almost any direction I give her.
With a little prodding from me, she is really starting to love and "nurture" her baby dolls. She has one she sleeps with at night and some others that she plays with during the day. I just love it when she tucks her soft baby under her arm while she is nursing or when she is laying down to sleep.
Well, I think I've hit all the highlights. I am really enjoying this age and I swear, I think I love her more and more every single day. I just don't have enough time to give her all the kisses I would like to. :)
