Welcome to the World Miss M.!

Remember Rocco and Rita? So, Rocco and Rita are one of those couples in the folklore of adoption who get pregnant after getting pretty far in the process and Miss M. was born March 28th with much joy and jubilation. So, yesterday we went for a visit to meet the divine Miss M. along with Rocco's parents. Do I have some lovely pictures to share? No, because I forgot to bring my camera. (Aaarrgghh!) Let me just tell you that Miss M. is lovely and I was able to hold her while Buttons looked over my shoulder with the sweetest joy and hubby was able to feed her while Buttons adored the cutie-pie.

As I said, we met Rocco's parents who are also from the mid-west and I must say I miss the people from that area. They were welcoming to us after their long trip, fed us the home-made lunch they brought with them and talked with us like we were old friends. Rocco and Rita were relaxed and thoroughly enjoying parenthood. Buttons had a blast seeing Miss M. and being entertainment for the adults. We had veggie soup, salad and yummy cookies all made with love. It was a warm, sunshine day. Outside it was nice too.

On the way home, we told Buttons she could sleep.
Her response was to ask "why".
I told her "then you won't have to take a nap when we get home".
"Ok Mom, goodnight."
And then she went to sleep.
Rocco and Rita, it'll be a while before Miss M. succumbs to that.
I was a bit floored by it yesterday.

(Buttons asleep in car is a "stock" photo.)

Thanks for Sleep

In my list of thanks, I forgot sleep. I was looking at pictures of Thanksgiving 2005 and found this classic. Last year around this time, my hubby and I often slept in the nursery on the floor, brought Buttons to bed with us or just pulled out our hair. Then, we bought this book. Thank you Jodi A. Mindell. We are now sleeping through the night and Buttons is an attached and happy person.

Nightmares and Snuggles

"If you were my baby bat, I would soar with you below the stars and hold you close when the nights flying is done." -Fran Hodgkins*

Oh Buttons, when you scream out "Mama" in the middle of the night, I feel such a strong need to hold you in my arms and tell you everything will be all right. The thing that really amazes me? It works. I pick you up from your crib and hold you and immediately, you release your tension. You snuggle with me and go back to sleep almost instantly. It's like my arms are your safe haven and when you are in them, you can rest. I sit in the rocker with you and my troubles melt away like your nightmares. Your arms hug my neck without your knowledge and you and I become the only people in the world. You are my safe haven too. I wish you sweet dreams, but I'll be there in case of nightmares, snuggle ready.

*If You Were My Baby: A Wildlife Lullaby by Fran Hodgkins, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant