Sleep?

I know I did a post about sleep deprivation, but it needs to be repeated.

I am soooo tired!! Just when I think Ginny is becoming a better sleeper, she changes her mind. I've got her on a nap schedule, morning and afternoon.  She does okay with it.  It really depends on the day.  Sometimes she will sleep 40-60 minutes in the morning and then 1-2 hours in the afternoon.  Some days, though, she will only sleep 20 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the afternoon.

At night, she is in her crib by 7 p.m. and usually falls right to sleep.  For a few weeks she would sleep until about 2 a.m. for a feeding and then sleep until 7 a.m.  That did not last.  Now her sleeping is more sporadic.  The other night, I think she decided to be nostalgic for her first few weeks of life because she woke every 2-3 hours for a feeding.  She should be sleeping more, but we are struggling through two things right now--teething and another growth spurt.

I miss sleep. I need sleep. I want sleep.

More than that, I want Ginny to get some sleep.  A sleepy baby can be a crabby and impatient baby.  Ginny is a very happy baby most days, but without the necessary sleep she gets cranky a bit quicker than normal. Hopefully, her first 2 teeth come in soon so maybe she starts sleeping better again. Hopefully.

Napping--Day 2

Yesterday didn't go too awful in my attempts to get Ginny to nap in her crib.  Granted, they didn't go great either.  After I laid her down, she was fine....for 5 minutes.  Then she started to fuss and cry.  I went in to sooth her and then left.  She stayed quiet (and asleep) for 10 minutes.  Again, she fussed and cried.  Again I went in and soothed her then left.  The next go, she stayed asleep and quiet for 15 minutes. Repeat for me again. I like that each time she increased 5 minutes.  I then decided to take this new "free" time and clean our master bath.  While doing so, I heard Ginny starting to fuss, but ignored it (there was no crying so this made it easy).  I could hear her starting to entertain herself and was able to finish my task.  In total, she spent one hour in her crib with only about 40 minutes of that napping.  Not too bad for the first day.

That afternoon I decided I wouldn't lay in her crib for afternoon naps until we had established the morning nap routine a bit more.  My plan is to start adding the afternoon crib nap toward the end of the week.

Now it is day 2 of setting up this lovely nap routine.  I added a new component.  I set up my iPod in her room and have it playing classical music quietly in the background.  She has now been down for 8 minutes and while she fussed a bit in the first 2 minutes, there was no crying or need for me to go in there.  I laid her down while she was awake yet sleepy.  Part of me wants to peek in, but the other part is afraid that this will disturb her.  No matter what, though, today is already much improved over yesterday's attempts. That would make any mom happy, I believe.

Napping--Day 1

Okay, I am attempting to get Ginny down in her crib for naps instead of letting her sleep in my arms.  I need to do this. I want to do this, but....I'm not convinced this will go well.  It will probably be torture, but Ginny is finally old enough for some degree of sleep training.

It is day one.  She will be laid down for her 1st nap 2 hours after waking (which is now and when she typically naps) and then around 1-1:30.  Please wish us luck!  I know I'll need it.