Babies cannot self soothe or need to cry it out as newborns. That really isn’t true. Parents role is to soothe, and do all the things until they are capable of it.
I just wanted to say that you are doing good things with your care of Little Fawn and your work. Thank you for sharing the struggles because it’s another reminder for all of us that we all have hard times and worries and uncertainties, and yet we can encourage each other. You’ve got this!
I’m crying too now. Not for the 12 bottles Fawn needs but for how beautiful this story is. Real. Living life. Hard. This is the story of our lives. Thank you for your honest look around, and that you got this.
Oh, Janisse, thanks for sharing how hard things have been. I'm just a bit older than you and can't imagine having to conjure up the energy and constant attention a baby needs. It takes a lot out of you, on top of everything else. But the baby looks healthy and alert. My grand babies (twins) were tiny too and now are in the 98th percentile on the growth chart and running 5k's. Love and attention and a good cry every so often can do magic. You've got this!
This piece about Fawn, fall, falling apart is so real and raw. But it also is filled with love and hope and perseverance! Janisse you’ve not only got this, you have been chosen to do something that most of us are never called to do—-save a precious life. Nurture that sweet baby girl to her full potential. Sending hugs and love to you and cheering all of you on as your journey together. Merry Christmas!
Sending love to you all. My time of caring for a fragile, underweight infant son (36 years ago) looms still as a most fraught, perilous and anxious experience. Even now, with a 6’2” thriving human son as evidence- it’s hard to look back through the glare of two years of near-constant anxiety. Also the time was life-changing and full of growth and joy and many little epiphanies. Thanks for sharing your experience in a beautiful essay.
Your hairdresser's right and LF is gonna be okay. I promise. When we adopted my daughter, in a developing country, she had been in an orphanage for most of her 22 months. Her weight, at nearly two years old: 18 pounds. Today she's a smart, sassy twenty-something earning more money in her cool career than I've ever made in my life. The most important thing you said is that Little Fawn is in the 99th percentile of happiness/love/care. Blessings on you all. 🩷
I'm not a fan of self-soothing either. Many years ago we adopted a high-strung puppy from one of the leading Humane Societies in the country, and the well-meaning young man who released him to us gave us strong instructions to put the puppy in his crate at night and let him cry. He said it would not last long. I am ashamed to say that I tried to follow his advice. Even then I knew better. That was the exact wrong advice for that puppy. I don't think you can harm your Little Fawn by holding her as much as she needs it. She will know in her bones that the world is a friendly, not withholding, place. Of course we're finite and have limits, and when you treat your own limits lovingly as well, she'll learn she can do that too. Your stories with Her Happy Tininess touch us all deeply, and I'm so glad you're sharing them. You've got this. <3
Hope little Fawn is doing better!
I don’t know how you do all you do, I’m always amazed!
Babies cannot self soothe or need to cry it out as newborns. That really isn’t true. Parents role is to soothe, and do all the things until they are capable of it.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. We're all holding Little Fawn from afar.
What a wonderful photo! Thank you for sharing yourself in this writing. "You've got this" back to you with all my best wishes and a huge, huge hug✨💛
Thank you for sharing this touching story. We are all watching Little Fawn from afar.
Go out and see more Christmas lights--they really do lift the spirit.
I just wanted to say that you are doing good things with your care of Little Fawn and your work. Thank you for sharing the struggles because it’s another reminder for all of us that we all have hard times and worries and uncertainties, and yet we can encourage each other. You’ve got this!
I’m crying too now. Not for the 12 bottles Fawn needs but for how beautiful this story is. Real. Living life. Hard. This is the story of our lives. Thank you for your honest look around, and that you got this.
❤️ All the best to you. Yes, you’ve got this.
Oh, Janisse, thanks for sharing how hard things have been. I'm just a bit older than you and can't imagine having to conjure up the energy and constant attention a baby needs. It takes a lot out of you, on top of everything else. But the baby looks healthy and alert. My grand babies (twins) were tiny too and now are in the 98th percentile on the growth chart and running 5k's. Love and attention and a good cry every so often can do magic. You've got this!
This piece about Fawn, fall, falling apart is so real and raw. But it also is filled with love and hope and perseverance! Janisse you’ve not only got this, you have been chosen to do something that most of us are never called to do—-save a precious life. Nurture that sweet baby girl to her full potential. Sending hugs and love to you and cheering all of you on as your journey together. Merry Christmas!
Sending love to you all. My time of caring for a fragile, underweight infant son (36 years ago) looms still as a most fraught, perilous and anxious experience. Even now, with a 6’2” thriving human son as evidence- it’s hard to look back through the glare of two years of near-constant anxiety. Also the time was life-changing and full of growth and joy and many little epiphanies. Thanks for sharing your experience in a beautiful essay.
Little Fawn is so very lucky to have you and Raven loving her. She will thrive in your care. Sending love and good wishes.
Your hairdresser's right and LF is gonna be okay. I promise. When we adopted my daughter, in a developing country, she had been in an orphanage for most of her 22 months. Her weight, at nearly two years old: 18 pounds. Today she's a smart, sassy twenty-something earning more money in her cool career than I've ever made in my life. The most important thing you said is that Little Fawn is in the 99th percentile of happiness/love/care. Blessings on you all. 🩷
I'm not a fan of self-soothing either. Many years ago we adopted a high-strung puppy from one of the leading Humane Societies in the country, and the well-meaning young man who released him to us gave us strong instructions to put the puppy in his crate at night and let him cry. He said it would not last long. I am ashamed to say that I tried to follow his advice. Even then I knew better. That was the exact wrong advice for that puppy. I don't think you can harm your Little Fawn by holding her as much as she needs it. She will know in her bones that the world is a friendly, not withholding, place. Of course we're finite and have limits, and when you treat your own limits lovingly as well, she'll learn she can do that too. Your stories with Her Happy Tininess touch us all deeply, and I'm so glad you're sharing them. You've got this. <3
You got this.
Fawn is so precious and how lucky she is to have you love her. Thank you for this inspiring essay. Merry Christmas to you and yours.