Nap Time

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My life is going to be crazy for the next two weeks (well, crazier).

I'm back in the classroom 3-4 days a week for about 4 hours a day - but I'm not really sure which days/hours. Which makes finding childcare difficult, since my schedule changes day to day.

Yesterday, I had it all figured out. My good friend took Boyo for the morning. Girlie got to spend the whole day at PreK.

Here was what my day looked like:

7:45 - Drop Girlie off at PreK
8: Drop Boyo off at friend's house
9: Make it to my classroom
1:30: Finish up my classroom, pick up Boyo at friend's.
2: Doctor's
3: Pick Up Girlie at school
4:30 Swim Lesson's for Girlie
5:30: Boyo's friend comes over for dinner.

I was stressing over yesterday. Everything depended on my being on time (which I never am), not hitting any traffic (I live in SoCal, come on), and my children behaving. The last one was the one that kept me up late worrying. I knew Boyo wasn't going to get a nap. And I knew Girlie wasn't going to get her quiet, snuggle with Mommy time. So I thought that 4 o'clock on was going to be difficult (to put it mildly).

And then I got this picture texted to me by my friend at 1:


Yeah, my son slept until 3. My friend (who totally rocks) told me to go to the doctor by myself.

I don't think my doctor recognized me without two kids in tow.

And after I went to the doctor, I went to pick up Girlie.

Who was asleep on her mat at school.

So my children will nap for anyone but me.

I'm beginning to think I'm the problem.

Wordless Wednesday

Boyo was determined not to nap...

Big Boy Bed

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There are so, so many reasons why I think we picked the wrong time to move our son out of the crib and into a big boy bed.

1. I just started a new job where I work from home, so nap time desperately has to happen.

2. I'm going to be working a few hours in the evening when my husband is home, so a routine bedtime is a must.

3. Since I just started a new job, my schedule is crazy and my kids are not getting quality Mom time. In fact, I'm mildly ashamed of how much TV they are watching. So I can't cuddle and soothe as much, in order to make this transition easier.

4. We are talking about potty training Boyo next month.

5. Boyo had slept in an Elmo Toddler Bed for awhile, but it scared the bejeezus out of him, so we weren't very consistent.

Still, none of this crossed our minds when my parents offered us a free twin mattress. And since there wasn't enough room for an Elmo bed, crib, and twin mattress in his room, the Elmo bed and crib were dismantled and stored in the garage. Boyo and I went shopping so he could pick out new sheets and blankets. We were good to go.

Bedtime on day 1 was a dream come true. Mattress is comfy, guard rail is up, and he loved the new bed.

Naptime on day 2 was perfect. He even took a 4 hour nap!! Still, I remembered when we made the switch to a mattress with our daughter: it was on about day 3 when she realized she could get out of the bed.

My son is a faster learner than she was at that age.

Bedtime on day 2 was a nightmare. He kept coming out of his room, peeking his head around the corner and saying "Hi," before he would wave at us and run back to his room. Finally, we dusted off the baby gate and put it up. So he sat at the gate and screamed for two hours.

Naptime on day 3 was no better. I finally thought I had him down when I rounded the corner and found this:
Great. Girlie's conspiring with him against me.

Reason Number 146:

My daughter has decided that she no longer needs naps. I beg to differ.

Still, on her 3rd birthday she told me, very seriously, "Momma, I'm fwee. I am a BIG girl now. So I don't need naps anymowe."

I stifled my laughter and replied with a "We'll see."

I forgot how stubborn my daughter is... she has only taken one nap since her birthday, almost a month ago, unless she falls asleep in the car at 5 or 6 pm. And when I try to put her down, she has several reasons why she doesn't need to nap.

Here's a conversation we recently had during naptime. I've started lying down with her because, come on, that is the only way I'll get my nap.

Baby Girl: "Momma, here, cover your face with the blankie. You need to take a nap."

Me: "Okay, Jelly Bean, but you need to take a nap too."

Baby Girl: "I can't, Momma, I have to do my work."

Me: "Oh my goodness! You must be very busy. What work do you have to do?"

Baby Girl: "16-4."

Me: "Hmmmm.... sounds important. What kind of work is that?"

Baby Girl: "It's 16-4. Now cover your face, sweetcakes. I have to do my work. You take a nap. No more talking, Jelly Bean. I love you."

I did as I was told. I took a nap.

I hope she got her work done.