cry it out

i'm more and more convinced that ella is just overtired and that the dr. sears' method does not work for us. j. has a three day weekend, so we're going to try the cry it out method.

i tried it this afternoon when i knew she was tired and fed and dry and needed a nap. i sang her a song and rocked her in the glider, then put her in her crib. she started crying immediately. she cried for eighteen minutes, and then was silent. and i thought i'd done it! i called j. and told him it worked.

then she started crying again.

this time i waited six minutes and then ran in to her room and scooped her up. i held her close and rocked her and she just snuggled into me and got quiet, though her breathing continued to be heavy for a long time.

she fell asleep against my chest. i looked down at her precious face and realized she'd scratched her face all over with her fingernails. broke my heart. i just kissed her pretty cheek as she slept and let myself feel love and compassion for this tiny girl.

then i put her in her crib and tucked her in.

so i have a couple options. give up on the cry it out method or put her in an outfit that covers her hands so she can't scratch herself and try it all again.