8/31/14, Day, 13,998 (Mercena Day 17): Got to Meltdown to Get Up
Our newly bright-eyed baby of The Great Awake was somewhat less then bushy-tailed yesterday, as all that new alertness took its toll. Much like the weather, she had scattered meltdowns throughout the day, none that we couldn’t manage but also none that we were able to avert. In fact, in between writing those sentences, we’ve been trying to redirect a morning meltdown.
All that said, yesterday was still a beautiful day. Cathy and John had day two of their stay, and again graciously cooked and went on a cleaning frenzy (our oven exterior now sparkles like the top of the proverbial Chrysler Building). Sandra “Mommom” stopped by for another visit, and shared some amazing photos of baby Heather (and there is a distinct resemblance). Her friend Peter came along for a short visit, as well.
My favorite moment: When the rain swept in, we all huddled out on the terrace as a fascinated Mercena watched the sky open and duul pour out.
In all the family fun, I didn’t have a chance to write or work on Spanish yesterday, but I did take the rarest of birds, a midday nap, and was almost able to fall asleep. We’re back to shorter visits over the next few days, and so hopefully will be able to adapt our routine to The Great Awake and recover…
…and we just had another meltdown. It’s not calming her that’s the problem at the moment: she responds well to various tactics (football hold, sucking, shh sounds, something a swaddle, something tummy time); it’s how often we need to calm her that feels a little troubling. Of course, it could be totally normal, or related to digestive distress (that often seems to be what causes it), and I won’t yet dare utter the “Ch” word (we wouldn’t know that yet until week three).
We can see the happy baby who wants to engage and play with us within these alert and often distressed eyes, and I know we’re going to help her become that baby.
Technique never stands still: it only advances or retreats…
Writing: 131 out of 167 days
Spanish: 123 out of 167 days
Music: 35 out of 72 days
What small things did I do yesterday to help build the Honeycomb?
(And what does it mean to “Help build the honeycomb?”)
- Ate and cooked local, organic, vegetarian food, and used cloth diapers for Mercena;
- Signed another petition for the Employee Empowerment Act.
Corinna Schulenburg 