HI Shimmer!
I couldn't agree more with Kate and Cath! You need to do what works for you to keep you sane.
During my current battle with the nap monster, if wake to sleep doesn't work and she wakes at the 35 min. mark, I don't do pu/pd anymore. It just didn't work to extend her naps. It was too stressful and it never worked once in 2 weeks. Now, I do what ever I need to get her to sleep longer. If this includes rocking or taking a stroller walk I do. I feel that I'm teaching her to fall asleep on her own for the beginning of the nap and that's all I can manage at this point. Extending the naps was driving me crazy. Like you, I was dreading nap time and felt my entire day with her centered around naps and the clock. It was too upsetting. In the end, a well rested baby is a happy one.And a happy baby is a happy me. As mentioned earlier, the time will fly by and I'm not going to spend it crying in the nursery either!
There will be a time that she won't want to cuddle on me to sleep and that she will be to heavy to rock. I will enjoy this time and I know you will too.
Big hugs to you. Reading your posts and the advice and support other moms are giving has given me a new, more positive, perspective as well. Thank you!
Leah