Wednesday, January 10, 2007

It's a Battle of the Wills, folks!

BIG MOMMA VS. LITTLE LIL!


As many of you know, Lily has a very strong will. Once she sets her mind on something, she can be quite determined. This has caused many a battle between us, right from the start. In China, she decided she didn't want ANYTHING to do with ME -- only daddy. I tried everything in my power to win her over, but she didn't give in. (Until after we got home and daddy had to go back to work). So, I lost that little battle.

Once we were back home it was sleeping in her crib. She didn't want to. After MANY sleepless nights we gave in and let her sleep with us. So many people gave us advice...we tried it all.
1. Go in and comfort her and then leave. (That backfired. Once she saw one of us she went into almost a hysteria when we left).
2. Soft music playing; nightlight on; door closed; door open. (Nope, nope, nope, and nope).
We would try every couple months or so with no success. She wouldn't just cry for awhile and eventually cry herself to sleep. She would cry for HOURS and show no signs of stopping. So, I lost all of those battles... just couldn't handle it.

Then there was the church nursery. Decided she wanted nothing to do with it. She'd play real nicely with the toys and the other kids until she realized that mommy and daddy weren't in there anymore. Then, look out! She even made one of the nursery workers at our last church CRY. Yep, we're still fighting (and losing) that battle.

Oh, then there is the little issue of food. Quite some time ago she up and stopped eating pretty much everything. This has been a great frustration for me, as I am trying my best to be a good momma and feed her 3 square meals a day and give her fruits and veggies. I even tried force feeding her a couple times, only to have her GAG! This is gradually getting better. She is starting to eat a little more and I make sure she drinks her milk and she loves her V8 V-fusion drink, she takes a daily vitamin, and I have stopped stressing out about it. (for the most part).

OK, so she has a strong will. And me... not so much.

So, I listed as 1 of my goals for the new year to get Lily in her own bed.

My mom got her to fall asleep there when she babysat last week. However, Lily was up at 2am and spent the rest of the night in MY bed.
So, I tried again last night to put her in her own bed. The attempt began at 9:15 and Lily finally fell asleep at midnight. Where do you think she slept? Lily's bed or Momma's bed? Who won this battle???? Anyone care to venture a guess?

10 comments:

Beckyb said...

Hmmm - I want to hear in Lily's bed - but the picture looks like Momma's bed!! Hang in there - you can win!! You need your sleep too!!! They sure are strong-willed though aren't they - I feel your pain!

dawn said...

I am guessing in Momma's bed. Don't feel bad.
Lily has always slept in her own bed and just recently we told her she gets to sleep with us once a week. Are we nuts? I love it and so does her dad and so does she and it is only once a week.Plus she sleeps later in the morning, she sees us and goes back to sleep....ahhh. My dad started it in England last summer he would take her into bed with them in the morning when she woke up.
I dont want to hear it from the critics!

Steffie B. said...

You?!?.....maybe.....possibly........... NOT!

Anne Marie said...

I don't know if the pics are to trick us, but based on those it looks like you may have finally won a battle?

Verna said...

Hang in there momma,
You can do it but no real hurry. If she is happy in the crib, she can stay there til her toes hang out. Sorry it was another battle. Take care and don't stress this one.

Emmie said...

I think Lily's bed! What are they talking about- aren't those pictures of her in her crib! Well, if it is Congrats!

Steffie B. said...

Snappy new blog girlfriend! ;)

Dannye said...

I would guess Mom's b/c Mom doesn't seem real upbeat in the posting, man what a battle you are fighting, please keep us posted how it turns out...

Jody said...

Yours- but no fair I talked to you on the phone this morning. Love ya!

Pam said...

don't you love their strong wills.