More back postings... November 9...

Seems like my life has been very crowded too, though not so much with people. At home, Emma has been teething. We have the two bottom ones now! She's so cute, but the last couple of weeks have been all over the map with her. We went from sleeping through the night and eating every 3-4 hours to getting up every two hours and eating every hour during the day! Then tapering back to near all-night, then back to crazy clinginess. One night we ended up making a nest right on her floor, because I couldn't ever get her into her crib without her screaming and didn't want to spend the entire night in our bed with her (too hot and I end up sleeping on one side to protect her from Glen and his flailing and comforter tossing). She actually did sleep great that night, as long as I was touching her... Frustratingly, Glen is not much help at night. That one really bad night I tried to enlist his aide, since it was clear she wanted comfort and not food. He could only stand a few minutes of her crying before giving her back to me, then he got all worried that she was hot and clammy (of course, she's crying...), does she have a fever, is she sick, he hasn't been feeling well either, in fact he doesn't feel well now... He insisted we take her temperature which meant turning on the lights and getting her undressed (underarm thermometer), causing more screaming, then the battery turned out to be dead in the thermometer (my kingdom for a plain old mercury one!)... In the end I put my foot down and told him to go back to bed and just snuggled down with her at my breast, and in minutes we were calm and sleeping. Lord! Teach me to ask for Glen's help!!! (He later admitted that he just can't handle anything at night anymore, and did a quick thanks that he decided long ago not to become a surgeon...) Anyway, this must be love, because it ain't easy, no?! As you might imagine, this leaves me FEELING all over the map. Some days gloriously happy and enjoying every moment, the next weepy or snapping at Glen. Actually, I think it would be better if she just wasn't sleeping all the time. As it is, every time I go to nurse her to sleep, I wonder what the night will bring. Sleep? No sleep?
When I do sleep, have been dreaming of Christmas and Germany. Realizing I can't wait to share this holiday - in all its aspects - with my daughter. Some day I hope we can take her to Germany for the cristkindlemarkts. (Probably spelled that ll wrong, sorry.)
Anyway, that's my story. So many moments I missed sharing that I need to go back and write about. This last week or two she's started making these cooing sounds that are the cutest sound I have ever heard in my life. Went to pick her up in her crib one morning and she was awake, she smiled and gave one of these coos when she saw me. So much joy it's unbelievable! I didn't know my heart could get even more full... She reminds me fiercely of the Grinch, when he "heard a small sound like the coo of a dove. It was Cindy Lou Hoo, who was no more than two." Taken to calling her Cindy Lou... Going to dig out that book this weekend and read it to her. Happily, she seems to like when I read to her. Granted, I mostly stick to board books because she also likes to chew them, but she DOES sit quietly when I read and almost turns the pages for me. Hoping hoping hoping she will grow to love reading like I do...
Also had my first really scary moment. Our first accident. I was putting away laundry in her room and had her propped up on the glider chair. One moment I was stuffing things in her drawers and she was happily playing with a toy, the next I see her tumbling head first off the chair! Thank God it was on carpet and the chair was no higher than her shoulders, but of course it scared me (and her) half to death. She was fine and smiling a few minutes later, but I'm still dealing with the dregs of fear and guilt. Mom and Dad keep telling me that's why they're called accidents. Guess this was a good lesson in how quick things can happen. Now she gets strapped into everything, and no more propping her places. She is sitting up beautifully, but that doesn't mean she doesn't tip over every once in awhile! (Actually, my mom keeps telling me they used to amuse themselves by sitting me up and then tipping me over on purpose. Funny!) She's also getting closer and closer to standing on her own (Emma, not mom), and can be propped against something and will hold herself up for a few seconds. This weekend think the big project will be a new walker toy. She hates being on her tummy - could it be she will walk without ever crawling?