No Nap Nelly

So I don't have a child named Nelly, but No Nap Ella...just doesn't sound as clever. Lately Ella has refused to take a nap during the daytime. She has been a great sleeper at night from the very beginning, only waking up at the very most 2 times. Right now is the first nap longer than 20 minutes she has taken within three days. Not sure what to do differently. Everybody has great tips on how to get your baby to sleep better at night, just not many have ideas when it comes to daytime sleeping.

Right now she's sleeping in her swing (while it's running), but I don't want this to become a habit. Who am I kidding though, my boys slept in the swing until they were 6 months old. But that may have contributed to the fact that they didn't sleep through the night until they were 9 months old. I cannot just let this little angel cry either. Her little tiny precious cry is becoming horse, and it sounds even more pitiful. Plus, the fact that she's my baby girl isn't helping much either. She's just so precious, I want to give her everything she wants! I mean look at this face.....could you refuse to let her sleep in your arms?

I'm a sucker for the way she smells, they way she looks at me, and the way she feels in my arms. I just can't say no to her! So if you have a way to get a baby girl to sleep during the day, I'd love to hear it. If not, well I guess I'll just have to be okay with some good night sleep : )

Princess Ella

On May 25, 2011 our perfect little blessing Ella Beverly Brittenham was born. She's an angel for sure. Although with 30 hours of labor ending in another C-Section I wasn't sure how she was going to be! But...she's perfect! Weighing in at 6lbs 8oz and 19.5 inches long she was my smallest baby.

We were so glad that she was, indeed a girl. With only 1 other girl born within 80 years on my husband's side of the family, we weren't quite sure the ultrasounds would prove correct. But, I am ecstatic! Her room is gorgeous, and it's just the perfect fit for her.

She has begun to sleep train herself already. She began sleeping through the night (with one feeding around 4am) from the beginning. My boys were awake every 2 hours until they were 9 months old. She's not perfect and every once in a while she will wake up 2 times, but hey...that's pretty great if you ask me! She's not a great napper all the time, but I can deal with that. I'm awake anyway and chasing the boys around.

Micah and Josiah are nuts about her! Micah is just crazy about her. We've got to keep a close eye on him though, he's the kid that would squeeze a hamster to death out of sheer love. But overall, they are wonderful to her.


We're blessed and in love with her. And I'm having the time of my life dressing her up! I'm a bit obsessive with bows, but it's a dream come true!

The Terrible 2

Today after I picked up my 2 year old son from the nursery at my church, I burst into tears. He had had another "rough day". That's the worker's nice way of saying "He was really bad....again". I have to say that Micah is an amazing two year old. He is loving, playful, and full of laughter; but he is also strong willed, and very aggressive. My older son who is 31/2 was nothing like him. He was so compliant. I can remember thinking that he was an amazing toddler. He never threw a temper tantrum in public, obeyed what I told him to do, and loved to play with other children. Micah, on the other hand, throws daily temper tantrums in public, has still not obeyed me about keeping his shoes on (for the 500th time), and is very aggressive toward other children. I know that the strong side of Micah will serve him very well as he grows up. He will not care what his peers think about him and he will never be pressured into doing anything he doesn't want to do. He will stand up for the weak, and never back away from a fight. These are qualities that I don't want to squelch in him. I want him to refine those. He's two, he will grow up. But for now, I am at a loss of what to do. I am fearful that people will think I am not a good mom, that I don't discipline my child. I love him, and I try to make him a better boy. But oh, how do I need God's help with this one....*sigh*