Perspective

Wow, thank you for the comments on my last post, it really helped me to gain some perspective. Mash, your comment was so well written and just made so much sense, and also made me feel incredibly sad that I'm actually not there to support her. I tell her all the time I'm here for her etc - I just hope she knows that.
Obviously, I know it's related to her being devastated and in mourning, and I also know it seemed out of character etc. Perhaps I need to put my own feelings aside for now and just give her support where she needs it. I'm the type of person that finds it hard to ignore my own hurt feelings so this will be a new one for me. I guess the reason is that she still sends me photos of my niece all the time and expects me to respond with lovely comments, and asks for pics of C, so I was taken aback with the responses. I promise it's not just that I sent photos willy-nilly.

Now, I feel like I don't want to put C or my feelings in the firing line, when I'm also sure she doesn't  intend to be mean, but I don't want her to suddenly wonder why I'm not sending pics when she asks either....
I just don't like the anxious feeling of waiting for a mean response etc. (Those 2 examples are not the only ones, unfortunately)

Tough one.

Secondly, thanks for the tips on sleeping! Will try them out.
Oh, how depressing when you lie awake when your baby is sleeping!

C has started to practice 'shouting' and has really found her voice. She has this high pitched shriek - it is hilarious and she has a huge grin when she does it...I'm sure the neighbours think something dodgy  is going on around here!
Oh, and it's supposed to be summer round here, but it's been raining every single day and grey skies!! (know you would love it Marcia) But I have no idea what to do with poor C, stuck indoors or in shopping malls all day!

Hope you all have a lovely day!
~Sabine~

Insomnia, Family and Feeling Sensitive

Very random title I know...
My brain is mush.

So, despite C sleeping beautifully through the night (mostly!) I find myself unable to fall asleep. It's crazy, I'm so exhausted. I've tried counting sheep, counting backwards from 100, breathing, herbal sleeping pills, pilates - what gives? Any great suggestions for me? I do have a lot on my mind but nothing pressing and no specific reason for not being able to sleep. And if she wakes up for the dummy, I can't get back to sleep again! It's almost like I am anticipating her waking up again and I just can't doze off.

I am so grateful to say C is doing so well with solids and is doing great in general! I am so in love with her! She rolls all over the place, scoots on her tummy to get what she wants and sits beautifully. We are still waiting for some teeth as I think she's teething - chewing on everything and seems to have itchy gums! I can't believe my baby is already 6 and half months old!

My husband's sister and her husband and daughter came to visit us from Nairobi, Kenya. This was the first time meeting our niece, A, who is 2. She loved her cousin and kept wanting to check up on her after she went to bed. I was amazed at the difference a short year and half can make - how she communicated etc. How amazing, what a wonderful little girl. I can't wait for C to talk to me! To tell me what she wants etc. Incredible!
We also went off to Germany to visit with the in-laws. C was great on the plane again and does really well with travelling (thank goodness). We had an absolute blast and she enjoyed being spoilt by her grandparents, and they had a great time with her too!

My other sister in law in SA lost her mother to a brain clot very suddenly about a month ago. It came as a big shock to us all and I think she has really been struggling. Her daughter lost her granny at 6 months old :( ...devastating.
Now, she was ok with me at first, maybe a little more subdued than usual. We usually communicate a lot via b.lackberry m.essenger, send pics etc and I consider us close. However, in the last week, she has begun making a few nasty comments about C, which I just don't know what to do about. I understand she is in mourning etc and I'm willing to be patient with her but attacking my child I just can't believe. I feel so, so upset, and of course, I've said nothing and don't plan to. But how can I let go of this? I need some honest opinions - am I being over-sensitive here? I will attach the pics she responded to.

Example 1:
I sent a pic of C. Her hair has grown dramatically over the past month and is really long and curly on top. I sent just my usual update pic, I made no mention of hair myself to prompt any reactions. I actually sent it to show her first time sitting in a 'highchair' at a restaurant! Her response to the photo:
"Her hair is hysterical. She looks like a crazy artist."
I brushed it off, but then I became a bit paranoid about her hair. Maybe it looks bad etc? Not a nice feeling.

Example 2:
I take C swimming once a week which she loves! I sent a pic of her in her swimming costume which is really frilly.
Her response:
"She looks like a lampshade."
She put a heart after, as if that makes it a nicer thing to say.

I am so hurt. I would NEVER say anything like that to her about her daughter (my niece) and it strikes me as very odd that she would all of a sudden.
What would you do in my situation? Say nothing? Confront it?
I obviously understand she is in a bad place right now so I'm trying to keep it in perspective, still I think it's a low blow to aim all this shit at my baby.
Opinions appreciated!

Hope you are all well. I am trying to keep up to date with everyone's blogs although I admit I have been absolutely shocking at commenting etc!! I will try to do better!!

Lots of love,
~Sabine~