The Napping House

Kent received a book called "the napping house" and it's a really fun one to read. I love the illustrations and the view that goes higher and higher to the peak of the story, then comes down again to eye level. Very cool.

What's not cool these days is Kent's afternoon nap and I'm really at a loss. Okay, I've been at a loss about lots of things as a new mom, but this is the longest nap strike his whole life. Today is day 7 and I'm really, really hoping he'll sleep this time. Morning naps are still fine: 1 to 2 hours, usually 1.5 hours, awake by 10:30-45.

Between diaper changes, making and cleaning up lunch and letting him run loose, we usually don't leave the house between his morning and afternoon nap, though sometimes we take a quick trip to the post office or the library to return something. Here's the thing: he displays all sleepy cues, but he's not overtired and cranky, just ready for sleep, as he's always been before any nap or bedtime. Sooo, we do our usual wind down routine, then I put him down. He's quiet and babbles and settles in, but then the babbling doesn't stop. And then he giggles! He's quiet for a little while and then talking again. I will check on him once, about 20 minutes in just in case he pooped if he hadn't before his nap. I shush all of his stuffed animals and remind everyone that it's nap time. Sometimes I don't go in at all and I cross my fingers that he'll fall asleep finally. Nope! I wonder how my fingers are not permanently crossed. I've left him in there for well over an hour, a die hard hopeful Mama. I peek in to find him rolling around in his crib (he doesn't see me) so I roll my eyes and pray that he'll tire out!! Luckily, he's not crying or fussing - I couldn't take crying for that long, which is why I usually leave him alone and quickly get stuff done while holding my breath and praying I don't drop a plate or somethign. Oh, and I've also tried putting him down a little later than usual, to see if he'd go down easier. Nope!

Nothing has changed in his environment - it's warm in there, dark with the curtains. He must be the one changing!! Over the last few days, I've given it the "teething" excuse because he has been chewing on his fingers a lot. Maybe it's the excitement of crawling, climbing and nearly walking? No matter the reason, I just wish he'd listen to his body and get some rest. The afternoons have been verrryy long when he's awake and the end of his day is quite touchy.

Luckily, night time sleep is quite dependable and long! I will not complain about the night. It's now past 2 pm and it's been 45 minutes. We've had a diaper change and now he's settling in again. Let's hope another conversation with his imaginary friends doesn't interrupt this silence.

If you'd like to hear him talking, here's what he has to say about his day once Papa gets home: