Lessons Learned

**** I wrote this on 4/19, just didn't get it posted until now.***

Well, it seems we now have had all the family that's going to come out, out. Her Granny and Grandpa were the last ones, that we know of, and they left less than an hour ago. While Ms. Kayla is sleeping I thought I'd take the time to blog about learning from the family. I'll be the first to admit that I don't know everything. I read a lot and try to act like I know what's going on but there's always more to learn.

Nana - Sometimes you learn things because of something that didn't happen - in this case I learned to ask for help. I have no problem asking Eric for help, but in front of family members I guess I wanted to seem like I could do it all, no problem. I would try to open a bottle or pick things up or any one a million things that are nearly impossible to do while holding another human being, and mom would be trying to take Kayla so I could do what I needed to do. :) But every time she tried to help I 'd say "No, I got it." Why? I don't know. I just felt like I should be able to get it. But, in the future, I'm going to try to be better about asking for or accepting help.

Grandma (Rita)- Grandma was so great at putting Kayla to sleep - rocking her for ever, bouncing her, singing to her - I nicknamed her the baby whisperer. She was the one to figure out that Kayla liked to be bounced to sleep and for that I am eternally grateful. :) She is also great at talking to Kayla in person, over the phone, or on the computer. She just gets all happy and talks to her like it's nobody's business.

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Bob - Their visit coincided with a time that I was trying to let her sit or lay by herself so she would get used to the idea of entertaining herself. They helped me do that - we left her in her swing while we ate or laying on her play mat while we visited. They were also the first ones to be around after Kayla was first born - Nana and Grandma were there at the beginning when I needed all the help I could get, but after they left we learned to do everything on our own. So, when the great-grandparents came I had to realize that other people could take care of her, would be taking care of her - that we didn't have to be the only one's to do things. Their visit was actually perfect timing because daycare was starting soon and that was a lesson I needed to learn quickly.

Great Grandad and Great Granny Carole - They loved to sing to her, and I remember them singing to me when I spent time with them growing up. Kayla doesn't get sung to much around here because mom can't carry a tune in a bucket, but at this point I don't think she cares. Now I just have to learn the words to some songs. :)

Grandpa and Granny Chris - I learned to help her explore her own body. Until now she's basically been unaware that she has appendages, but she's starting to figure it out. Grandpa had her grabbing her toes with her hands so that she figures out what those hands are for and that she has toes. I don't know that I would have thought to have her grab her feet but I think that it's something I will do now.

And, for the really big lesson, learned from all of the above. It would be great to be in TX. We wouldn't get to see everyone all the time, but certainly more often than we see them now. And having all these other people around Kayla would be so great for her - not only to get to know her family but to learn from them as well. So, to all of you who keep asking when we're moving back... just as soon as we can. That doesn't mean next month or next year necessarily, but as soon as we can make it happen we will.