Matt and I - tired and sick - went to bed early last night. Just as we were dozing off, Penny woke up. Matt tried to soothe her, but as soon as he left the room, she started crying again.

I went in about fifteen minutes later to find her standing in her crib, reaching out to me desperately.

I wouldn't pick her up, but I hugged her and patted her back and petted her hair, and talked to her. "It's still sleepy-time," I told her. "Can you lay down like a good girl?" After a few repetitions, she laid down and even (so cute!) pulled the blanket up over herself. I handed Piglet to her, and she pulled it close. But she watched me like a hawk. I stayed by the crib. "Good girl. Go to sleep."

Eventually, she closed her eyes. I took one step away from the crib. As the floor creaked (I hate our floors) her head jerked up like it was attached to a marionnette string, her eyes wide with panic. She whimpered. "I'm still here," I said. "Go to sleep." She grudgingly laid her head back down.

I waited a moment, then took another step. Same thing. It's about five steps from her crib to the door of her room, and it repeated with every one of them. Getting out the door was a little trickier - first I had to stand in the hallway where she could see me, then I had to stand just out of sight, but talk to her when she whimpered. "Mommy's right here. Go to sleep."

Finally, I was able to go back to bed.

We think she's not actually decided to be afraid of the dark. Turning on the light the other night, we suspect, worked because it let her know we were nearby. Instead, I think we're seeing a late case of separation anxiety, or maybe it's the "night terrors." Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't last too much longer.

It actually warmed up enough yesterday to melt most of the snow and ice, and then it snowed again last night.

Since it was warmer, though, the new snow is heavy and wet. It didn't stick to roads quite as tenaciously, but it's clinging to the trees and weighing down the branches. It's beautiful; I'm glad I had my camera with me this morning.

Of course, they're talking about even more snow this weekend - even a storm - so I may not be so enchanted by the time Monday rolls around.

I had a productive morning yesterday - enough so that I thought I could take the afternoon to work on some writing.

Except that when I'd opened up my files and got ready to work... I was utterly uninspired. The characters simply didn't feel like talking. After diddling around for a while and writing about three sentences, all of which were utter crap, I gave up.

Instead, I pulled out the Chinese brush painting book and set that Karen gave me for Christmas, and played with it for a while.

It's no masterwork, but at least you can tell what it's supposed to be. Not bad for a first practice-session, eh?

--Liz