So I realized that in all my craziness, I never did a proper post about Abi and her recent 4th birthday.
That's right, my baby is 4 and holy cow has she grown!
She's 41 pounds and 44" tall or maybe she's 45" now.. she keeps growing so fast! She's grown 4 inches in a year, and almost half an inch since early March. She is so tall already, and so we of course know she's going to be a tall adult. Probably about 6'2" they're predicting. Taalllll.. Hopefully she'll find a tall guy someday that doesn't make her feel like a giant. :p
Abi's hair is starting to turn dark.. I'm so sad about her losing her beautiful silky blonde hair! It's mostly in the back, but I'm pretty sure by this time next year she'll have a head of "dirty blonde" or dark blonde like me. Boo! lol. Of course, she's beautiful no matter what, it's just the thought of her babyness leaving and this preschooler popping up. She's going to be in Kindergarten next year! HOLY COW!
Abi is such a loving, joyful girl. Though, I've had to be hard on her at times for poor behavior, I couldn't have asked for a better child. She is now putting herself to sleep, and it's so bittersweet. For 4 years I have been in her room as she falls asleep, and I miss it just a little. But I'll tell ya, I was so shocked when we tried it the first night and it worked. We still have a bed time routine, bath, books and song. But after the songs I'll tell her I love her, to have sweet dreams and I'll see her in the morning. She replies and then I can leave the room! I'll still stay upstairs for a bit, just to be sure she isn't getting out of bed. But usually she's rustling about trying to get comfortable and asleep very shortly after. I'm so proud of my big girl! Seriously, this is a HUGE accomplishment and such a long time coming. I have always let Abi set her own pace. With regard to her schedule and things like when it was time to move up a size in diapers or to potty train, Abi always let us know pretty much when she was ready for the next step. I didn't want to push her, and I certainly didn't want to push her to put herself to bed too soon.. but it was getting frustrating laying there, in the dark.. trying not to lose my mind because I knew she wasn't asleep yet because I was there. She would fuss and such and I finally realized that even though it bugged me, she needed to kind of decompress before falling asleep, just like anyone. So I suggested her putting herself to bed one day after preschool had told me how good she is at nap time. She'll lay there and chat to herself quietly, play with her hands (make fingers talk to each other etc) and sometimes she'll drift off to sleep. I used this idea to persuade Abi to try it the first night. I told her without me in the room, she could play a little with her stuffed animals or chat with her fingers. As long as she stayed in here bed, it was fine. Then she could drift off to sleep when she was ready. It worked!! I was Shocked. But what has really shocked me is that we've never looked back. Abi has not once begged me to stay, or cried about it. She likes being able to unwind on her own, without me saying "shhhhh, go to sleep please." It's a good thing. And I have another hour added on to my evenings!
Abi has been making up her own songs and they are so funny! She loves to draw and color and is getting really very good. Her little people (heads, legs and arms.. no bodies yet!) are adorable, and she's making up awesome stories to go along with her drawings. The imagination on this girl! It's so fun to watch her grow and change.. and learn. She's been asking all kinds of amazing questions lately. And her giggle and belly laugh is my favorite sound!
