a struggle

Naps this week have been a struggle, in particular the morning nap. Once again there seem to be multiple factors at play that could be affecting his ability to fall asleep: he started showing signs of teething again early this week, but it is so hard to see if he is really getting another tooth because his mouth is already so full of teeth; then the slight runny nose and cough started up again on Wednesday so maybe he has a cold; but the most likely cause, or so I've rationalized, is that he is really trying to figure out how to crawl. I have read that when babies are trying to learn some of the master skills they have more difficulty sleeping. This week whenever placed on the floor he really started to show off his strength, doing push ups and pulling himself into crawling position and rolling all around. He has figured out how to go backwards in a scooting manuever. And he can pivot very well. So it could be soon when he starts to really crawl.

When placed in his crib in the morning he basically plays for an hour. Then we go to him - because sometimes he needs to have his diaper changed - and he is all smiley and energetic and wanting to play hard core. But it is really just a front because we know he is exhausted. Then if we do try to put him down again after a quick soothing he starts to throw a fit. I walk around with him, and the minute I enter his room or pull the blinds shut or sit down in the glider as if to initiate nursing, he starts to cry and writhe and tries to squirm away. It is really quite funny...but also annoying because you know he is tired and just fighting it. On Friday we had to skip Music Class, which I hate doing because we have already done it too much on account of his inconsistent sleep schedule. Class starts at 11:45 a.m. and we were all dressed and ready to go, but Eddie skipped his morning nap and I was trying to gage his mood which was tough because he was really playful. Ultimately I made the right call by not going because he crashed at noon. Today he did the same thing but this time Dad was on duty as I went to the grocery store and Dad put him back down at 11 a.m. and he fell asleep in like 2 minutes.

The morning nap is so critical because it really determines his mood and nap schedule for the rest of the day, and when he doesn't get it, I feel like a slave to getting him to go to sleep successfully which also means that whatever we have planned for the day goes out the window. It's tough because I am trying to get him out more - we went out to lunch on Tuesday with some friends and he sat in the restaurant high chair very well - but the stress associated with making appointments and then struggling to actually make the appointment, wipes me out.