Every parent or maybe it's every speech pathologist (I don't really know the difference) knows the way to a happy child is a structured routine. Children love to know what is going to happen next (admit it you are like this too because you are a human) and this helps improve their behavior. Well, Gabby definitely has a very structured routine which was actually implemented at first by her daddy to help her transition to sleep better. Gabby's structured life has taken on a life of it's own and I am afraid that we have possibly encouraged O. C. D. tendencies in our little ray of sunshine. The most obvious of these would be 'get get' and 'Meow.' Get-get, also known as a 'blanket' in your world, is a specific blanket that has patches of a lovely variety of textures that she enjoys rubbing while drinking her warmed milk before bed (I know really I still warm her milk?). Don't think you can get off this easily putting Gabrielle to sleep...oh no! Meow is a MUST! If there is no Meow there is no sleep. This is so true that we actually have Meow 2.0. She does not know there are two, but when we can't find one rather than frantically running around the house looking we just pull out the spare. The only problem with this is that we have to allow her to take a different one with her to the park each time or they will look very differently. Michael and I have talked about our feelings regarding Meow and as a security toy we are happy this is the one she chose, because it could have been Atrayu who is as big as me. Meow is the perfect size to just throw in my purse when not needed, I think our whole family secretly loves Meow. I thought we had made it without a security object, but apparently they can begin at any age.
Everyone knows that being a parent is full of sacrifices and some are more difficult than others. So far being a Mom I have "sacrificed" my skin thanks to stretch marks, my youthfulness, thanks to the worries that cause the new wrinkles I notice weekly, my pretty legs thanks to the varicose veins I received during pregnancy that never went away, the comfort of sitting thanks to the back pain I have had ever since pregnancy, a good night’s sleep, and the list goes on... However, none of these things truly feel like a sacrifice (although I do miss sleep and my non-damaged body) they are just part of being a mommy and I wouldn't trade parenthood for anything! Today, however, a very difficult sacrifice was made, although I know it was the only choice. Ranger, the dog Michael and I had for 7 ½ years, was given to a new home today. He bit Gabby on her head when she was about 9 months old and then about a week ago he nipped at her and unfortunately that was the last straw. M
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