You gals are great. Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to try a 7:00 bottle and hopefully 7:30-7:45 bedtime. I know that's not much earlier, but she's squirms with discomfort if I put her down too soon after eating. So I'll just sit quietly with her for a bit after the bottle. I hope she still sleeps till 8, but I'm sure she will. I've definitely read that earlier bed time does not mean earlier wake time. It might actually help with her morning nap that is starting to be a problem again. Not to ramble on, but this morning I did our whole hoot and hollar, same time, same place, same routine. Yet when I went to put her down, she full out screamed. I did pu/pd for almost 25 minutes (with a quick break to regain my composure). I started to feel as if she just wanted me to leave so she could get some rest. Do you know what I mean? I felt like I was actually preventing her from going to sleep. Perhaps she just needed to let off some steam, but I always second guess the situation. Anyway, I left, and she was out in 5 minutes. That was 30 minutes ago, and she's still asleep. :roll: Other mornings, she's been fussing off and on for about the last hour of her nap, therefore, doesn't seem to be getting good rest. This, in turn, is making the second nap a bit shorter.
Tarri, I believe that even if a baby has a good night time sleep pattern, they still need day time naps. You are right to try and improve them. You are doing what is best for Emily, just as we all are for our lo's.
Julie G, great pics of Matty. What a cutie!
Michelle, Kelsey tends to whine when she's bored or tired. It's kind of like a ummmmmmmm, ummmmmmm, and it gets louder until I tend to her. Also, I'm sure you do get bored being home all day. I am the type that likes to run around all day, which has definitely been hampered a bit. I was getting out alot with Kelsey this summer, but since my mom is back at work, we don't as much. Also, I had a car accident, luckily Kelsey was not with me, but I've been a bit timid of driving with her. I know I'll have to get over it, but I would die if something hurt her. Well, I didn't mean to go off about that. Sorry. :oops:
Debra, I love what you said about Olivia and Alex. Those are the kind of moments that make me want to have more children. I know that I do, but I just don't know when.
Christine, what a terrible l/d story. I'm so glad everything turned out alright. I thought it was awful that I didn't see Kelsey for 5 hours, but 2 days! And about the naps at sitters...I'm sure she'll fall into a comfort zone soon. Sometimes they are actually better for someone other than mom. :?
Schae, Kelsey was due on Feb. 13. I was induced early due to high blood pressure.
We found the name "Kelsey" in an issue of American Baby magazine, and we both loved it immediately. "Rhea" is a respelling of dh's middle name Ray. It was his dad and grandfather's first names. Also, my grandmother's name was Rachel, and everyone called her "Ray". Dh's first name is Kevin, so they have the same initials, at least until she gets married. :cry: