flea

We had a hell of a night last night, the kind that makes we wonder a little bit about neurological issues, or maybe demon possession, in Casper. She ran a pretty high fever that Motrin didn't do much for from Friday night all through Saturday, but was in decent spirits given how hot she seemed and didn't seem to have any other symptoms of illness. Woke up Sunday and seemed fine all day - a little blue-bagged under the eyes, and didn't get a nap or anything, but not unusual. She went to bed swiftly once we got around to getting her there (following naked trick performances - jumping off things and over things - in the living room.)

The she was up crying at about 11:45 - probably awakened by the thunderstorm (I was). She has a distinctive loud cry that only comes out at night and means trouble, and this was it. She cries open-mouthed and loudly. If you try to touch her, comfort her, or do anything, she screams and kicks and thrashes. She is awake, or aware, enough to respond a little to the parent, but seems to have almost no control over her actions. If left alone she can cry like this for a very long time, although sometimes she'll abruptly cut off and go back to sleep. Usually I try to talk her down, and it's like dealing with a wild animal - you have to go very slowly, and establish trust, and back off at any sign of trouble. I got her wound down and finally back to sleep after about 45 minutes. She started up again at 1 something, and again at 4 something. Each time she comes out of sleep into this severely agitated state. It's a little scary. During the calming down phase I asked her if she could talk about what made her cry so much, and she said, "Aggle Flaggle Klabble," (a quotation from Mo Willems' book Knuffle Bunny; it's what the baby who can't talk says when she wants to indicate her distress.) So, tired, and a bit worried. It's not like night terrors where the child is clearly still asleep, and I think it must be connected to nightmares.

In other news, a lovey lovey morning with my Dillo. For some reason I was mooing like a cow at him recently and he found this hilarious; now he makes attempt at mooing noises back. He does both "mmmmm" and "ooooo" (cute round little pursed up mouth) but can't do "moo" yet. Also yesterday he was playing in the bathroom while mr. flea was in the shower (we have a clear shower curtain so we can watch to make sure he isn't drowning himself in the toilet or anything) and mr. flea sang a few phrases. Dillo imitated pretty closely. Mimesis power, activate!

Question: how does one cut a baby boy's hair? I'm ready to do it - it's all wispy and long and hot - but I have no idea what to do even if I were dealing with a cooperative person, and needless to say he won't be. I can probably do it while he's asleep, but I don't know how to cut boy hair!