She Did It!

Melody slept through the whole night last night! She went to bed at 6:05PM and got up around 6:45AM, no crying at all. I don't know if the pattern will last, but we're thrilled for now! My "sleep book" says that if you get the right bedtime (early enough), night wakings will stop. Tonight she went down closer to 6:30, so we shall see. Maybe I'll try sleeping in my bed tonight. The couch has been a good friend, but not as comfy.

I feel compelled to mention that we are not hard-hearted people who ignore the needs of our baby. Those of you who know us know that about us, but maybe others of you don't and are concerned about our sleep strategies. I know it shouldn't matter if you are, but somehow it does a little. Please know that there is plenty of rocking and singing (well, Larry is singing; I still don't have a voice) and cuddling going on throughout the day, especially for naps. I still rock Julie to sleep for her nap, and now I rock Melody too. When Melody wakes up during her second nap, I help her get back to sleep. Maybe it won't always be the right strategy, but for now it works. I have changed how I handle Julie's naps at least 3 times over the last year and a half, as she has changed. I started out rocking her to sleep. When that stopped working, I put her down awake. That worked well for quite a while, but then she started playing in her crib indefinitely. So now I rock her to sleep as we cuddle in the chair and listen to music. We have an understanding and it is a special time for both of us. I am sure Melody and I will figure each other out over time too. OK, I think I'm done justifying myself to an unseen audience who may or may not have thought twice about all of this!

Sadly, I took no pictures today. Frankly, I was happy to get a shower and to get out of the house for 30 minutes in the afternoon. I am starting to get that cooped-up-middle-of-winter feeling that I so don't like. I think I'll go for a walk when I finish this.

Larry scanned in some trip pictures that I haven't shared yet.

Here is Melody's visa photo, which is also her medical report photo and her Certificate of Citizenship photo. I think she looks so beautiful!


This is the picture on Melody's official adoption certificate.


This is our group at Tienanmen Square, pre-babies.


And here we are at the great wall.


I wonder, will I ever again blog about anything other than the sleep habits of my 10 month old? Will I have a life once again at some point in the future? Will I get to go running again? See friends? Logically I know the answer is "yes," but right now it is hard to see that far ahead. I think it's time I go take that walk now. The fresh air will do me some good!