It's Sunday afternoon and I'm taking a minute to sit and blog, simply because I need the escape. My Mom is still here with me, she stayed an extra day, because Ava has been quite a handful in the last 24 hours. It's amazing how quickly every good "routine" you've established can go right out the window! I have been taking some seriously deep breaths and asking the Lord to bathe me in some much needed patience, which I do not seem to possess on my own :) We have a little girl who has apparently developed a hatred for napping. This is a new thing sadly, as just 2 weeks ago, she napped like a champ. I'm sure this is just a little phase we're going through and I know one day we'll be back in a routine again, but for now, I want to pull my hair out! She napped a total of 1 hour yesterday, ALL DAY LONG. Today, we're not doing much better. I'm trying all kinds of tricks and trying to help her learn to put herself to sleep, but it's not easy. I have a thousand things I should be doing right now, but I'm choosing to be a little indulgent and blog instead. She is so over-tired and exhausted, it feels like we're on a bad spinning wheel that we can't get off!
The ironic thing about it is, in all my years of being a nanny, I've always had a knack for getting babies and kids to sleep. No matter how much they hated to nap or even refused to do it, I always had them down in no time and for a long time. It just figures that with my own child, I'm fresh out of luck. I'm second guessing everything I'm doing and I just want to throw in the towel and give up. Maybe it's because I'm not getting paid?? Maybe not :) Anyway, I'm trying not to freak out and dismiss the whole week before it starts, but I have a feeling that it's going to be a long one while we try and weather this napping storm.
There is one thing I'm not second guessing however, and that is realizing that being a Mommy is the best thing in the world and the absolute hardest thing too. It's a good thing she's so darn cute because I don't know what I'd do if I didn't love her to pieces! Seriously, that wild red hair saves her every time :)
Bt, on that note, I can hear her crying again so I'm off...
Oh, the joy.
Aww I'm sorry. =[ It'll get better!!
ReplyDeletePraying things get better in the napping department very soon :)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Amanda
I had trouble with my little cousin and there where days where she would cry for an hour and finally fall asleep!! It was hard to do but I would sit outside with the monitor on low! now she falls asleep on her own!
ReplyDeleteBUT it is WAY harder with your own child! i never could let Alex just cry it out! Might be why she still sleeps in my bed some nights!
NOT GOOD!
Hope you can figure something out!
Could it be time for little Ava to 'do' more when she's awake? Just something I noticed with my own kids. Of course, there is not much a 7/8 week old can 'do'... my 8 week old will always enjoy a 'swim'. If you don't have access to a swimming pool, then placing her directly in the bath with just a tiny bit of water (less than an inch)? I also strap her to me and hit the gym (she loves the smooth step machine). Going for a drive / walk outdoors always helps, even if she doesn't stop crying, at least she's crying outdoors.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and take heart that it happens to all of us!
have you tried reasoning with her? lol
ReplyDeleteHang in there it does get better. That seems like a trival thing to say. But they seem to go through that fussy and sleepless stage at this time. All three grandchildren have done it and by the third month things did get better. Try taking her outside that always seems to help. I think that they too can get bored and overstimulated. I will pray for you too, Mommies get cranky when they don't get there rest.
ReplyDeleteLove
Joan
Hang in there sweet girl!!! You'll get back on the nap track soon. Babies go through so many stages...you will just be amazed how quickly they get through one stage and on to the next.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a GREAT job dear one!! Hang in there.
Love you bunches,
Dawn
I am saying a prayer for you. You are so right...best job ever. Hardest job ever. Don't know how people do it without Jesus, helpful husbands and moms who come and visit and help!!!
ReplyDeleteBeen there! You can do it- YOU'RE the Mom! I know it sounds cliche, recommending a book and all, but have you read, "On Becoming Baby Wise"? AKA just "Baby Wise". Phenomenal book, and it works miracles. I'm a schedule girl and my kids were both on great schedules of napping and sleeping through the night by 2 or 3 months. It is work, but it's SSSOOOO worth it! And of course, you might ask the same thing I did when I got this book, "WHEN will I have time to read an entire book!? Really?! You've got to be joking!" Then at least read chapters 6 and 7 (they're short) and then you can go back and skim the rest and read when you have a few minutes. It's good stuff. Praying for naptime, they keep a mommy sane.
ReplyDelete