Crying it out...or breaking my heart

Right now I am listening to Anna Kate cry it out for her morning/about to be afternoon nap. It breaks my heart into two to hear her cry. But as soon as I go in and pick her up and rock her, she stops and goes back to sleep. I went on Facebook a few weeks ago and asked fellow mom friends advice on how to help her learn to sleep better at night and during the day. All but two said to let her cry it out. I tried this three days ago and she cried on and off for 58 min. and then FINALLY fell asleep for 2 hours. But am I a bad mom? How terrible to let your child just cry for almost an hour straight...right? But instead of feeling bad, I tried the same thing a day later. This time for the morning nap...she cried for 35 min and then went to sleep for an hour. I thought...ok this is working. Well, I did the same thing for the afternoon nap and she cried for an hour and NO NAP!!! How long am I supposed to let this go on. I heard it should only take 3 days, but then some said it took a week to two weeks. I honestly can't do this for 2 weeks. I just don't think it is healthy. Well I am here again today, trying it again. She has been crying for almost 20 min and I don't think she is really calming down. She first cried for 15 and I went in and rocked her with a paci and she went to sleep on me. But as soon as I laid her down...wide awake and upset. So now I am not going to go in there and just see what happens. Well, I looked on the camera monitor...and little bit has pulled down the bumper. So I had to go in there. I went in and tried to not make eye contact and fix the bumper. It only made it worse. I then picked her up, rocked her to sleep again and then went and laid down with her in my bed and she is now asleep. I don't know what else to do. I will try the cry it out method for a few more days, but then I may let it go until she is 6months old. Ugh this is frustrating!!!

1st Beach trip slide show

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Sand, Sun and Water...1st Beach Trip

We headed to Hilton Head Island in SC for Memorial day weekend to spend a few days with Nick's family at the beach.  Anna Kate loved it.  She really enjoyed watching all of the children play in the water.  She also enjoyed the water herself.  She is really getting quite the personality.  Night times were still a little rough for us at the beach, but overall we had a great time.  Thanks Dede and Poppi for letting us come along.  

First Bite

Well we attempted to feed Anna Kate her first cereal last night. It was a success.  At first she wasn't sure and then by the third bite it was a hit.  She still made some interested faces throughout the entire meal.  She also wanted to start sticking her hands all in her mouth and then that led to all over her face.  But we let her.  It was too cute.  Overall Nick and I thought she really liked it.  The only thing she didn't do well at was the sippy cup.  But we will keep trying.  We had to put water in a bottle and give her water that way.  All in all...we can't believe how big she is getting. She is now 5months old and just into everything we are doing.  She doesn't want to be left alone, she wants to near the action!!!  Love this little bit.  Here are a few pictures of her first bite.