Welcome to Mountain Standard Time

For her first 11 days in New Mexico little Aigerim had a really hard time getting to sleep. If somebody was awake and in the room with her she would squirm and play through the middle of the night, just as if it were mid-day. (Which, of course, it was, in Kazakhstan.) And if she were put in her crib? She would howl like a wounded beast. Didn't matter whether the lights were on or not. Of course she'd sleep soundly during the day.

This week we tried something different. I'd come over every morning at 8 to bring hot coffee to Mom and warm formula to Aigerim. Bobi would sneak in a quick shower while Aigerim topped off her belly. Throughout the day Bobi's mantra was, "Keep the baby awake," (except for one short nap).

It worked. Aigerim has slept through the night for four nights in a row. And she has been getting sleepy earlier and earlier. Last night she was lights-out by 8:30, which puts her almost on her Malutka schedule.

It helps enormously that she's bonding so well with Bobi. Before, unless she was totally exhausted, she would start crying the instant she touched the crib. Now she knows everything is okay. Mom is there for her, to sing lullabies and rock her to sleep, and again to greet her with hugs and kisses (and a bottle) in the morning.

The baby loves hanging out with us in the living room in the evenings, playing and grunting and making little babbling sounds. She gets so happy at our noises that she has to stand up, big tongue-lolling smile, and bounce vigorously for a few seconds. We know she's getting sleepy when her head suddenly plops down on the back of the couch, or on Mom or me. A few rounds of bouncing and plopping and she's ready to snooze.

It's pretty wonderful to see her happy again, just like the baby we met in Kazakhstan.