New challenges for year #2

Abigail turned 1 year old a week ago. Since then we have been presented with new challenges that leave me feeling frustrated, sad, confused, and conflicted.

In the past week, she has developed a new bout of separation anxiety. I probably should have seen this coming when she began giving more hugs and laying her head on my lap a lot. This particular time, it is not so much about being with "strangers" instead of me (she's doing MUCH better with that), but it's more about being completely traumatized when either Tony or I put her in her crib to sleep. It doesn't matter if it's naptime or bedtime, nor have any other factors seemed to come in to play. It's just as soon as we come near the crib, she begins screaming and then stands in her crib screaming until we finally come back and rock her to sleep. I realize someone reading this right now is going "you should NEVER go back and pick her up! Let her cry!". But, I'm telling you, she will cry for HOURS and REFUSE to go to sleep. Yesterday it was so bad at naptime that she cried for 1.5 hours, and even as I stood by her crib rubbing her back, she clung to me and would begin to nod off while standing, only to startle herself awake and cling tighter to me. It's absolutely heartbreaking.
We've tried different tactics (everyone has an opinion on the best solution), and at least for tonight, I think I found one that worked for me. I let her cry for 20 minutes, then returned and rocked her without talking or singing. When she was asleep but not limp, I put her back in her crib. She stood up and cried, but soon went to sleep. I hope I can lengthen the amount of time before I go to her until she finally gets back to putting herself to sleep again. I don't think I can bear knowing that she is begging for me and I am ignoring her for much longer.

To make matters worse, Abigail has begun teething again. We went through 6 days of hell a couple of weeks ago, and the doctor promised the hell would return before this was over and done with. I'm pretty sure part of that is going on now and is probably contributing to the screaming episodes (Reminder: Abigail is not usually a crying child, so this is particularly difficult for us). It looks like one of the teeth may be close to breaking through, so I hope that will end the pain for a while. It certainly didn't help that McNeil recalled all of the Tylenol I had, and we're about out of Motrin. Last night I went searching for some and both stores I went to had nothing... no generics either. Luckily I found some at Target today, so hopefully I can combat this pain for her if she continues to need it.

And to put the icing on the cake, Abigail has conjunctivitis in BOTH eyes. Poor thing wakes up with goop so thick that her right eye is swollen shut. They ooze green ick, and she looks exhausted and puffy all day. The doctor gave us an antibiotic today and says it could take 3 days to a week to clear up. In the meantime, we're washing hands more often and trying to keep from spreading it. Serves me right, though, since Laura G and I were just talking about how lucky we are that are kids are almost never sick. Guess I spoke too soon.

So, year #2 is not off to the best start. But, I have to believe it's going to get better. It can't possibly be much worse that these challenges we are dealing with this week. I can't wait to have my normal, happy, calm baby back!