Updates: sleep and tantrums

I thought I'd update on a few topics.  First of all- we have had some major success with sleep.  I can't remember what I've said on here, but a couple weeks ago I decided I had to get a grip on B getting to sleep- I'd put her in bed, and then have to go in and hold/rock her at least 1, sometimes 5 times before she'd relax and go to sleep.  I decided that there was just no way I would be able to do that when Henry gets here.  So I bit the bullet, and let her cry it out (again...) The first night was bad, and then she started crying for her naps- which she never did- and sleeping less.  I can't tell you how thankful I am that that was all it was.  The very next night she rolled around and played with her feet for 30 minutes, cried for about 30 seconds and eventually went to sleep.  It takes her much longer to get to sleep now- for naps and to get to bed (usually around 30 minutes, sometimes more), but she doesn't cry at all.  She just rolls around and plays until she finally relaxes and gets to sleep.  She is also much happier when I tell her its bedtime or naptime.  I think she enjoys her alone time.  Such a relief!

Some not so good updates are her behavior.  Oh boy.  She is really getting good at fits, and screaming, and throwing things when she is mad.  It has been nice to hear from other moms that my kid is normal.  :)  I have decided (with the help of mom advice) to pick a few things, and discipline those things as consistently as possible.  We are still not totally sure how to discipline, but we are figuring it out.  It seems like she is still too young to spank, time-out is kindof a joke, and I guess I don't pinch hard enough cause she couldn't care less.  This week she started hitting.  My worst nightmare.  I know it's something every kid probably goes through, but it is so discouraging.  It started with just me- and she has only hit me a couple of times, but just today she hit another kid- so sad.  I don't want my kid to be mean!  So we are trying REALLY hard to nip that in the rear and make that as shortlived as possible.  So as far as discipline- that gets the harshest punishment.  I'm still not entirely sure what to do about the whining- sometimes it feels like she literally whines all day...it seems like it is a little too abstract to really punish, but I haven't yet mastered ignoring it.  I want to pull my hair out.  A lot of the time she just wants to be packed around or go outside, but I am getting to where I just can't carry her like I use to.  It hurts my back too much.  And going outside is hard because we don't have a fence so I have to follow her around the yard.  But one thing is for sure- she is SO much happier outside!  I was comforted this week when we had a college student over for dinner and she told us that when she threw fits she would hold her breath until she passed out- SO glad we don't have that problem.  :)

Henry is still kicking away, mainly under my ribs.  I have a couple doc appts tomorrow so I will update more on that later.