Raising a Girl

My punkin! She'll be 17 months old this month... which, seems impossible. She is spunky, giggly, loves to sing and dance, make "crafts", help me cook and clean... and loves to whine. The jingle, "one of these things just doesn't belong here" is running through my brain. WHINE?! How could she love that? It just doesn't go with the rest of the things she enjoys....

It appears we have reached another milestone in raising this girl. The Whine-o-Meter is registering at VERY HIGH and mommy and dad are just about at the breaking point. Thankfully (and boy are we thankful) God's grace abounds and His mercies are new daily! The battle to remain consistent and love, love, love even when the love looks like disciplining something every second... will pay off! (tho...she may be 20 by then!)

Our newest battle is happening during the hours of 12-3am. Yuck. Let me repeat... 12 to 3 AM! The last 3 nights she has half-woken up screaming and we have no idea whats going on. She has her pacifier, her blanket and seems to be in a fairly comfy spot in her crib... the air feels nice and cool, her body doesn't feel too hot and the fan puts out a wonderful level of "white noise" to rest by. So, we don't get it! Usually when this type of thing happens its because she has been sick - so, rocking her for a little while and soothing away the tears puts her right back to sleep easily. This week its just scream, scream, scream...and all she wants is to be held... in the middle of the night. Which, please don't misunderstand me... we LOVE that we have a child to be able to soothe and love like this - it's just difficult. Especially as we just can seem to put together the "why" of all of this. Lastnight was by far the worst. She was up until around 3:20, after being put back down at least 6 times. Finally, I just pulled her into our bed (something we are not fans of doing...) because I thought I was going to pass out from being so tired. She fell right asleep - and about 30 minutes later I plopped her back in her crib and we all slept till quarter of 10am!

I'm puzzled. I'm slightly bothered. I'm praying all the time for wisdom on how to raise this girl - break these weird/bad habits, love her, discipline without being angry, etc. Because when she does wake up in the morning (normal hours) she LOVES seeing us and it almost erases the horrible nights prior. (I said almost) My heart is full this morning being reminded that God never allows us more then we can bear - and, that this phase will also pass, and that very soon someday she won't even be in this home to wake us up. {eyes welling...} In the meantime, what do you guys think? Did your kids go through this? What were your solutions? Any wisdom on raising girls? She seems to be very emotional, like me, and I'm just wondering if I'm missing something major here. Maybe I should call my mom...

{Random change of thought}

In other news - I came across a new blog this morning that I'd love to share with you. Rebecca Ingram Powell is a blogger who writes about many different things - but what caught my attention was her book called, "Seasons of Change" aimed toward raising middle schoolers. She has a new book out called, "Baby boot Camp" for new parents in first 6 weeks of baby-hood that also looked pretty interesting (or make a great shower gift!). She's a pastors wife and homeschools her 3 kiddos...with vigor! It appears she lives in TN where all the flooding is happening :( I found out about her after reading last months "Home Educating Family" magazine. Which, by the way, you can get a FREE trial issue by clicking that link and signing up. I am really enjoying my issue right now!

Check out her site and see what you think! http://rebeccaingrampowell.blogspot.com

I added her button on my blog, too - pretty cute, huh?