..snurgf....snuflugle....snore...

We are incredibly lucky parents, because M is a great kid. I know we've had some part in that, but really, part of it has to be luck that she is generally an easy going and easy to please munchkin.

Even if No is the new black.

The only problem we're having is sleep. Due to a variety of reasons, M has coslept from the beginning. She has been sick a bunch (less due to tubes) and thanks to her reflux, could at one point puke in her sleep. So she slept with us, or more specifically, me, on my side of the bed, so I couldn't move in my sleep (I'm a tosser normally). For awhile, we had gotten to a point where she could sleep mostly on her own, then join me from around 4 AM on. Sometimes she would sleep entirely on her own, even if it was in the pack & play in our room.

Now she's awake and wanting me around midnight. Not nearly enough time for me. I'm losing sleep, I'm stiff and sore, and I'm cranky. Mostly because I don't know how to solve this.

With her initial go to sleep, we have a good thing. She falls asleep on her own barring schedule changes or illness. She used to fall asleep nursing, and when she wouldn't sleep with that or anything else, we did a modified CIO (which I never thought I would do) where we went in every few minutes to give her a hug & re tuck her in. Eventually stretching it out to longer and longer times. Most nights now, she falls asleep on her own quickly, sometimes it takes longer but she just talks to her toys.

The other thing is, she uses a Nuk. She has at least one spare in her crib, so she usually can find one if she needs it. We know we need to wean off of that too, but one thing at a time.

So, any ideas? We are thinking we need to do a modified version of CIO in the middle of the night as well. Which means we really really lose sleep for this to happen. A can help on weekends, but he's useless to me during the week since apparently the ability to lose sleep and still function comes with my lack of a y chromosome.

We did kind of try to do this last night, but I caved pretty early because well, duh, I needed to work today. This morning, she wanted her dad, not me. Apparently, it is already all my fault.

Help?

Not that you care, but...

My favorite Indian restaurant is closing. Bombay 2 Deli in Northeast is closing. I haven't gone enough, I haven't eaten enough. I feel so bad about that. (though the owner swears it isn't for lack of business, it is more about the time they've had to put in and wanting to change their hours)

However, it is not all bad. After a few months off, they are opening downtown. Not that far away from where I work. I hear this upcoming Wednesday is their last day, so get your fix in fast. But come January they will be in the neighborhood of Kierans downtown. So close to me, I may eat there every day. Mmm... samosa chaat.

Naked Baby On The Loose!

Since M started really enjoying her bath, and getting especially squirmy, we've been letting her go from the bathroom, holding her adorable hooded towel off the floor, to her dad in the living room to get dried off. (it is so cute)

Except tonight, she took a detour. She went to the corner by the front door. The corner that the dog poops in if she's mad at us. She dropped her towel, ran a little, peed very little, and before I could get her, ran into the kitchen and peed more. A lot more. Good thing her bath hadn't emptied yet.

While nearly all of this was happening, A sat on the couch laughing. See, I stay in the bathroom to start cleaning up after her bath while he starts drying, so I didn't see her run to the corner and get naked.

I guess we need to figure out a new routine.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, there is just something about that corner. The dog will leave her pissed off presents there, and I think more than once I've seen M go there to make a mess of a diaper. No idea, maybe there is something they can smell...

Just what sound does a zebra make?

One of my favorite programs growing up was A Prairie Home Companion. We didn't have electricity, so my TV watching was limited, but my imagination grew with the radio show. My favorite parts were the ones that involved human sound effect man Tom Keith. He could make any noise you could think of. More recently they've added Fred Newman (who you may know from Between the Lions) I always wanted to be as good as them, but I never will.

However, M seems to be on her way. While she isn't talking that much yet, her repertoire of animal noises is increasing daily. She has monkeys, lions, tigers, bears, horses, chickens, cows, turkeys (thanks to our run in with a flock of tame wild ones at the orchard today), snakes, and is working on mastering the lips for her first one, fish. Her obvious love of animals and noises that they make has created a bit of an issue, since A and I are running out of animals we know the noises for. Which is why the reason for the question above, just what sound does a zebra make? I watched a lot of Nature and Wild Kingdom when I was a kid, and I can't figure it out.

I bet Tom or Fred would know. I wonder if they offer preschooler internships on the show. She does a mean chicken. (bock, bock, bock)

This weekend Parent Bloggers Network is partnering with Generation Next and their iKnow Animals, Letters and Sounds toy to do a blog blast. (partnering with the awesome San Diego Zoo) The topic - I Live in a Zoo - While mine may not be one yet, it certainly sounds like one.