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Difficult Baby

When talking to a friend this week who has 4 children (one of which is a handful), I realized something about Paisley.   She is a difficult child.  And I would have thought that difficult meant bad before having a child but now I realize that they are two totally different adjectives.

She isn't bad at all.  In fact, I haven't had to spank her yet and rarely have to tell her no.  And it isn't because I'm ignoring things or letting her act crazy.  She just doesn't get into things that aren't hers and rarely throws fits or acts up  (huge exception is putting her in the carseat at times).  She's very loving and affectionate.  She's interactive and playful.  And now that her vocabulary is expanding, she's getting really funny.

But difficult.  This started on Day 1.  She didn't let us put her in the plastic bassinet like every other baby without screaming.  Endlessly.  She wanted to be in our arms at all times, day and night.  She never slept well.  We tried all the surefire ways of getting a baby to sleep: swaddling, rocking her to sleep, sound machine, lying her down awake, cereal in the milk, her swing, her bouncer, car rides, warm bath, nighttime lotion, bedtime routine, etc.   Nothing made any difference.  And she still doesn't love to sleep.  Or really need to for any length of time.  She doesn't require much rest to have 150% of my energy level.

Eating is a challenge.  She only breastfed for 9 months, refusing to take a bottle ever.  We bought 75 types of bottles with 100 nipples creating an astounding combination which all failed.  Now she hates solids, after a brief period of eating anything we offered.  She'd rather have all calories come from milk.  And at times, that's where it does come from.  Because she refuses everything else like it may kill her if it even touches her lips...

Her activity level is outrageous.  Her tiny little legs are in constant motion.  We let her walk everywhere we go so it may wear her out.  She ran all over the Science Museum yesterday and did take a ninety minute nap following.  I was exhausted!  She can get out every single toy she owns in about 8.2 seconds and then be bored with them all just as quickly.

I wouldn't trade her for the world though.  She's developing into the most incredible little person I've ever met and she surely has enough confidence and spunk to carry her through some tough situations in life.   Well, I'm off to continue chasing my ball of fire through the house!

Comments

  1. I have a feeling you are my fortune teller. So many things sound like Avery!
    She hates the car seat while we are strapping her in. She is WAY ahead on all physical things and nothing makes her sleep well or for long periods of time.
    She wants to take everything in!
    But with all that, I think she has a better chance at being amazing and that nothing will stand in her way.
    It sounds like Paisley is pretty much the same!

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  2. i agree 100%. i have a difficult child for sure. what kid wont even go on the swing at the playground? mine. he wouldnt even let us rock him in the rocking chair when he was a baby. nor now. won't sit in a high chair. ever. won't eat without tears. strollers are a no. carseats are a major no [3 hours of crying one time on a roadtrip. eh gad]. shopping carts? major major no. it is his way or the highway. i feel like it is because we've spoiled him somehow but i'm 100% it is just the personality he popped out of the womb with.

    don't get me started on sleep! he was up 6 times last night! and he's 18 months old. sleep training didn't work for him!

    good luck to you and good luck to everyone else with a difficult baby!

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  3. lol, both of mine have "pieces" of difficulty. Jackson is my AMAZING eater and sleeper...but his emotions are INSANE! He is usually either REALLY up or REALLY down. And when he's not happy, WOW! Look out! Addison is much more even-tempered, but she does NOT eat or sleep well... at all. Although, I have to say, reading the previous comment, she's not THAT bad and I'm pretty lucky, lol! She's currently on a solid food hunger strike. She will only nurse. Uggghh. Gotta love them:)! It's amazing what we can adjust to, isn't it? If you would have told me what I'd be up against with my two, I would have sworn I couldn't survive it, and I bet you would have said the same! But here we are, and loving almost every second of it:).

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  4. I agree- difficult does not mean bad. My child is extrememely difficult but nowhere near the term "bad". I am so, so sorry about the sleep thing- that would drive me nuts! Oh she is so so adorable though and so great she is developing into such an amazing little person :)

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  5. i have a friend with a toddler who isn't an eater either and gets most of his calories from milk. i relate best with your sleeping issue... wow, i never knew a baby could just NOT sleep. Whew!! i love that she can get every toy out in 82 seconds ;)

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