just nap already!

Unfortunately Molly has not been a baby that has taken to any type of schedule. She has her own way of doing things and it changes almost daily. The only two things that really stick are bedtime at 8:15/8:30 and wake up around 7:45/8. Everything in between is up for interpretation.



So when a couple of weeks ago we started getting a semi nap schedule going I was pumped! She would take a morning nap that lasted about 1-1.5, a long afternoon nap lasting anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 hrs (around 3 usually) and a short evening catnap lasting about 30 minutes. They didn't always happen at the exact same time but in general her morning nap was at 9:30, afternoon nap at 2 and evening catnap at 7.

Since she was getting good naps in she was a happy baby for most of the awake time (especially after we figured out she has a milk allergy and switched her formula - more on that later). And she was easy to put down, as soon as she started displaying sleepy cues - rubbing eyes, yawning etc. - you could put her on her tummy and pat her back a few times and bam! out. It was wonderful.


Well times they are a changing. For the past two days she refuses to nap! If she just wanted to stay up and play that is one thing but she doesn't. She is tired but won't go to sleep and that equals a very cranky baby. What is the deal...just nap already!


I have a few theories as to what is going on:

1. Teething. I really think she has started to teeth and its bothering her. She is drooling a tremendous amount and is constantly putting things in her mouth and gnawing on them. I know it seems really early but the more Moms I talk to the more say it was around 4 months when it started.

2. Rolling over. Now that she has mastered rolling over when you put her on her tummy she will stick her but up in the air and then push herself over onto her back. And she absolutely will not nap on her back.

3. Growth spurt- For the past few days she has seemed to want to eat all the time. Hopefully it means she is growing because she is still so tiny!

Let's just hope its a phase that will only last a few more days. I want my excellent napper back!

My Network

When we moved to Dallas a little over 2 years ago (Wow! Has it been that long) I left behind lots of great friends and all of our family. And since I work from home my access to new friends was pretty limited. Fortunately we made friends with several of our neighbors and I connected with a few college friends that live in Dallas. But none of them have kids. And when I became pregnant it didn't really hit me how important other Mom friends were going to be.



Now that I am 3 1/2 months into this whole Mom thing I have found a new network of people to lean on in a few places.

1. Social Networks- thank god for technology. If it hadn't been for the forums, Facebook, Twitter and the countless blogs I read I would be a complete mess and totally lost. I quickly changed my blog feed from all the wedding blogs I was reading to my new list of Mommy blogs. Sharing stories, tips and venting through all of these channels has been a blessing.

2. Google- if you come to my house, log-on to my computer and open up Google search it will immediately auto fill with any sort of baby related topic. Color of baby poop, normal sleeping amounts, the best swaddling blankets, how to get your baby to take a pacifier and countless other baby questions. If it weren't for Google Molly would probably have gone to the doctor unnecessarily a million times by now.

3. MOPS- Mothers of Preschoolers (or any age kid really). This organization was recommended to me by my doctor when I voiced my lack of Mom friends and the desperate need to get out of the house with my fussy baby. It has been a lifesaver! I have met some absolutely wonderful women and their adorable kids. And am learning a wealth of information through my new network of Mom friends and the speakers they bring in to the bi-weekly meetings. Plus, nobody bats an eye at a wailing baby.

4. Church- This is the newest of the networks. We actually just went to church for the first time with Molly this past Sunday. Church hasn't always been a part of our lives but now more than ever I feel like its important. And its a great place to socialize with other parents.


I never imagined this would be my new "inner circle" this time last year. But boy would I be a miserable excuse for a functioning person right now without them.

And I still lean on my friends and family...they have helped keep me sane and feel normal when I get a little lost in this new parenting world.