How can we feel both super confident and stupid at the same time?

Each week at our parenting group, we start with everyone's highs and lows. It's a great way to reflect on the week as there are plenty of experiences to choose from. Rodney and I have discovered that this parenting thing really humbles you and makes you feel like a super hero at the same time.

Example number one...I've been struggling with Lucy's sleep as she is taking short naps and is overly tired in the evening which leads to lots of crying and, therefore, carrying. I've been reading everything I can find on how to get your infant to sleep better. Of course, I discovered that I'm probably the one responsible for her being overly tired. Ok...since I'm the only one here during the day, I guess, I AM the only one responsible. Trying to understand why she is not staying asleep for naps or why she is screaming like a crazy woman in the car seat at night has frustrated me to the point that I feel like a complete idiot. I mean really....I've put a lot of babies to sleep in my time. However...none of them were mine!!! So today when I decided to put her to bed for a nap BEFORE she started crying, she had her eyes open and fell asleep without the usual bouncing on the yoga ball. I felt like wonder woman.

Example number two...We have not heard Lucy laugh for two weeks or so. Tonight as the whole family was on the floor playing, Rodney began playing peek-a-boo with her. She began to giggle which made Daddy's "Boo's" even more dramatic. She only gave us a couple but Daddy was so excited that he had stimulated the giggle, he began doing a happy dance and chanting, "Daddy made you gig-gle! Daddy made you gig-gle!" I wish I had it on video to share with you. It made me giggle!!

Anyway...what I've learned so far is that we probably don't have a lot to do with her sleep or giggles or turning over or a variety of other developmental milestones. We just need to get out of the way at the right time and support her at the right times. She is doing a lot of this on her own. It's the nature of growing up. I am constantly amazed!

p.s. We went to a local park yesterday to see the Salmon spawning. Rodney and I were overwhelmed with the endurance and commitment of these fish. It was incredible to see them swimming upstream and looking pretty rough! Lucy had a hard time going to sleep in the carrier because she was looking at all the trees and the stream. We love where we live!!!