Hi danielsmom, sorry I didn't reply earlier to your PM, but we just got back from a week in sunny San Diego!
1. When did you go from 2 naps to 1? Did you drop the morning or afternoon nap?
Not until 18 months. David did it on his own, refusing the morning nap. I started pushing his nap until 11 or 12, and didn't give him an afternoon nap.
2. How did the transition affect nighttime sleep? Did you change bedtime?
Didn't affect nighttime sleep in terms of hours. He did sometimes go down earlier, and went down for naps and bed instantly since he was so tired.
3. What were the signs that dc was ready to go to 1 nap?
Like I said, he just started staying awake his whole morning nap. He'd be in there for an hour to hour and a half just playing and babbling, then was a complete mess until he napped in the afternoon.
4. How did you go about making the transition?
Just started delaying his am nap until 11 or 12, and he went down in a second without a fuss. However, until his body got used to 1 nap, there was a LOT of fussiness all day, and some days he just couldn't make it without 2. Had to be very careful as well about falling asleep in the car. As a bonus, he can now be easily transferred into his crib if he falls asleep in the car around naptime--never could before.
Regarding the short naps you mentioned, I'm sure it's just his body trying to adjust. Just wait it out--I would try to establish a new naptime and stick to it, but realize that it'll take awhile to make the switch and be flexible if he needs 2 naps some days and 1 nap others. Good luck!