We gotta work this out.....

**Ignore mispellings! I type fast because she's waking up and spellcheck isn't working****

Well Miss Stephanie was up off and on last night from 1 until 6!!! She would ONLY sleep if she was being held on my shoulder (that's what mom and I did in the hospital and she's decided that's the only way she wants to sleep). With her sleeping I got online and did some research on Dr Sears website, looked through my Dr Sears books and also a book my good friend Kinome gave me, The Baby Whisperer (it's somewhere between attachment parenting and babywise). I have taken bits and pieces from Dr Sears and the Baby Whisperer and will see how this works for a few days. I just took what sounds good and right to me...just listening to my heart (strange how it pulls you in specific directions when really I have no idea what I'm doing!)

So far today has been MUCH better and I have actually gotten things done :) Stephanie has nursed, had some "play" time (which is my favorite) and when she gets fussy I swaddle her, snuggle her, give her a passy and then lay her down. She would fuss, I would pick her up, snuggle her some more and lay her back down....we did this about 6 times and then AMAZINGLY she went to sleep (WITHOUT being on my shoulder and rocked!!) and once she was asleep she stayed that way despite dogs barking and life going on around her. Her little cradle is in the living room so I can watch her, but also do dishes, watch some TV, do laundry and just function as a person :) So far I am feeling SO much better and the time I have with her when she's awake is so much fun! She's so precious to play with! She lays on our old mattress (in the living room) and I just play with her little hands, feet and steal as many kisses as I can.

She gets to have her FIRST BATH tonight! We'll have a bath around 8:30, then nurse and hopefully go to bed and sleep until around 2 or so (if we are able to be asleep by 10). I'll let you all know how it goes. All I know is today has been the best day of being a mommy yet! I got lots of precious time with Stephanie and also was able to do some household chores that are necessary for us to survive (like laundry and eating :)

Thanks for listening to my mommy story....will keep you posted on how things go :)