Ruby's parents are desperately seeking sleep these days!!! I don't write about it a lot because in the big picture it is so temporary. It is rare when a night goes by that we are not awakened by crys in the room next to us. Sometimes, she settles down quickly, other times one of us (usually me by choice) is comforting her and doing whatever it takes to get her back to sleep quickly. Thankfully, Ainsley could sleep through a train going through her room, so she never wakes up too.

When we received Ruby's referral last March, they described her as a moderate sleeper. That description has proved to be accurate ever since meeting her in Nanchang. The good news is that she has come so far since that time. She is on a great schedule here, and she takes a daily 2-2.5 hour nap. Today is an exception because she is not feeling well. The last two nights have been really rough, and we have a doctor's appointment at 4:45 to rule out an ear infection, etc.. She usually goes down for bed easily (again with the exception of the last 2 nights) but as stated she usually does not sleep through.

Thankfully, I do believe that this will get better. My foggy memory reminds me that Ainsley experienced some of this too. I guess I was just a lot younger then!

What I want to say is that just last night I was reminded what a gift this child is to me and to our family. I wouldn't trade the dark circles under my eyes for one day without this little girl. Being a mother has taught me a great deal about sacrificing self. Some nights when I admit I wish I didn't have to get out of bed at 2am, I quickly remind myself what a privilege it is to be the one that gets to take care of Ruby Mei.

This poem by Marueen Hawkins says it all for me:

Hi!  We are home safely from a great five days in beautiful Scottsdale, AZ!  The weather was perfect!  And, we loved the resort we stayed in!  Ainsley swam until she turned into a fish, and 'Her Rubiness' learned quickly that five days with no agenda other than her nap was pretty fun!  She loved the baby pool (other than the time she submerged herself completely!)  Ruby was a trooper because she came down with a nasty cough and cold the minute we arrived.  I can't say Jeff and I feel very rested since we had the little cutie in our bed around 2am every night.  All in all, our time away as a family of four was great!  We are already planning next year's get-away!

I got the sales pitch of all sales pitches from The Pearl and The Emerald yesterday! I knew it was coming, and I had to keep from laughing out loud when they said, "We have been waiting our whole lives to have a sleep over! Can we do it tonight?!" Honestly, how do you say "no" to that! As I have mentioned before these two dolls have been pals since they were six months old! Now they are both almost 7 and such great friends. I am happy to report that the sleep over was successful! Once they figured out how to fall asleep (thanks to help from Daddy!) they slept through the night! They have moved from the couch where they were just enjoying cartoons to now getting ready in matching Hannah Montana shirts to go play at The Emeralds house! I am off to put frosting on the cinnamon rolls!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live." 

John 3:16