More Than Enough

We're adjusting to new challenges; Sarah Claire is currently on a sleep strike, but we're also welcoming new freedoms; she loves to play on her play mat and in her jumper.  We get a little bit of hands free time, which is helping create time for cooking, cleaning and well, let's be honest- blogging! 

Here are a couple of pictures of her playing in her jumper:

The sleep issue is forcing us to face one of our first real decisions as parents.  We've read a little and listened a lot, but we've really struggled to find what's right for us.  We want Sarah Claire to sleep so that we can sleep, which will result in a more rested, healthy home, but we aren't willing to let her cry.  I can't imagine hearing her cry and just not responding.  So, we are doing what we can to help her learn to sleep, but I'm learning more than anything else that the first child really is the victim of the parenting method known as "trial and error."  

We're in for so many changes over the next few months, and I'm so excited about each one.  I'm sure we will lose a good bit of sleep and we will change hundreds of diapers, so some things will stay the same.  One of my favorite songs "Part of Your History" by Blue Merle has a line that I keep thinking about: "You were growing up so fast... and sometimes you can lose so much when you try to make it last."  I don't want my nostalgia over what has been to keep me from rejoicing over her growth and development as she hits new milestones and accomplishes new things.  Parenting requires such a balance of being grateful for but not longing for the past.  I don't want to miss today because I was wishing that I could relive yesterday!  And then there's the balance of preparing for and accepting future changes without trying to hurry into the future.  I think it's important to just love right where we are.  A lady told me a few weeks ago that the current phase of parenting is always the best.  Her girls are in their twenties, and she said that this stage is her favorite so far.  I loved that! I want to parent that very same way.  I want to be so thankful for the incredible memories of Sarah Claire's early infancy, and look with anticipation to what will be very soon, but most of all I just want to be involved in and excited about what she is doing at this very moment.  At this busy, busy age of rolling like a little barrel and squealing just for fun, I think "this moment" is more than enough!