We have been pretty busy here, with company, weddings, fairs, and more. Plus, Meredith has been wanting to spend all of her awake time at the park here. Since we’re approaching rainy season and I want to spend less time on the computer anyway (especially now that she’s older), we tend to go there a lot recently. I don’t know what we’re going to do once rainy season hits. I’m going to start a list of free, indoor activities that allow for movement. The problem being it does mean driving a lot more to get to most of these places.
Meredith is doing great. It is so amazing to me how much she grows and changes in such a short time. It’s cliché, but it’s so true, they really do grow up so fast. If I was ever worried that cosleeping, extended breastfeeding, responding to her needs, etc, would make her overly dependent (and I wasn’t), there are no fears now. She is turning into a little toddler instead of a baby, and definitely trying to find her independence as she does. I really savour my nights and her naps cuddling now, since it doesn’t happen much otherwise. I really feel like we’re being rewarded for giving her room and allowing her to make mistakes and try things on her own, while still being there if needed and for support. I loved being around Kris’ family this past weekend. They are all so supportive of how we parent and had nothing but good things to say.
She has had the occasional “tantrum” I guess, but there is always a very obvious reason. Mostly, she is frustrated about something or tired. She is down to one nap a day most days now, unless she wakes up really early (really early for us being any time before 8, don’t hate me 
), but almost still needs two. She would nap at 6-6:30-ish most days I think, but then is awake at 8 and won’t go back to sleep until much later. If we wait until 7:30 or 8 she will fall asleep and be asleep for the night. I don’t make an effort not to let her sleep earlier than that. I will nurse her when she wants to nurse or if she seems tired, but we don’t go for our nightly walk until after 7:30 and that is usually how she ends up falling asleep in the evenings.
Mostly, it’s very easy to see why she’s upset and to work with her to find a solution. I haven’t found any need to ignore her, even if she’s upset “just” because she wants attention. I think attention is a valid need, and my husband or I sometimes feel like we want more attention too, and I don’t ignore him to cure him of that. And I don’t purposely not give her what she wants just to teach her a lesson about tantruming. I find the conventional “wisdom” about tantrums so silly now that I have my own child. Working with her is so much easier for all of us than working against her, and quicker too.
I have so much more I want to post about, but it’s (long past) bed time and I didn’t sleep well last night either. I have some pictures to post later and more specific examples and lots more to say.
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I’m so glad to hear she’s doing so well! You’re a lucky mommy that you actually get a lot of sleep too!!
Can’t wait to see you all (hopefully soon!)