Put Your Little Hand in Mine

from the mom

Kyri has been having trouble with sleep again this week. Things had been going much better and I was usually only up once a night. And then something happened. Early Wednesday, she cried from 2-4am with M and I taking turns. In general she has been more emotional lately, turning on a dime from laughing to crying hysterically. I'm still trying to find the balance between intervention and letting her cry it out. At 4am on Weds., I finally realized that in order to be a good mother that day I had to get a few hours sleep even if she did cry.

But in the midst of these tougher moments are the ones you live for. Kyri knows exactly what she wants all the time. (Much of the crying is her inability to communicate it to us.) She will come and take my hand and guide me to what she wants and point. Most often that is to the front door to go for a walk. Since it is in the 30s and there's icy snow outside, she's been disappointed in my response. But I love that little hand in mine.

Kyri gives the best hugs. She will throw her arms around your neck and squeeze with all her might. Often she accompanies this with a firm puckered kiss. When her daddy goes to work and he comes to kiss her goodbye, she will lean up with a big pucker. That picture is etched in my memory forever.

She's strong. And in the middle of the night, that isn't always easy. But it is a good thing. Oh the places she will go. For now, I'm glad she takes me with her.