Hi Jane,
His daily schedule is something like this:
6:30-7:00am wake (sometimes he wakes early like 6:00 or so but will just talk, etc. until I come get him)
7:00am Breastfeed
8:00am Cereal/fruit
8:30-9:00am Nap #1 (usually lasts at least 1 hour, sometimes longer. Almost never over 1 1/2hrs)
10:00-10:30am Wake up
10:30-10:45am Breastfeed
12:00pm Cereal/Veggie
12:30-1:00pm Nap #2
1:30-2:00 Wake (This nap is usually the one that seems too short. It can vary from 40 minutes to 1 hour. Sometimes I'm lucky and it's 1 1/2 hours

)
2:30-3:00 Breastfeed (depends on when he gets up)
4:00-4:30 Nap #3 (sometimes he takes it, sometimes not. I have to be careful not to let him take this after 5:00 pm though, b/c he thinks it's night sleep then!)
5:00 Wake
6:30-7:00pm Bedtime
As for how he falls asleep for his naps, I always do a wind down routine (books, listen to CD, walk quietly around room) and then I put him down awake. He can always put himself to sleep. I do not nurse him to sleep, either. He has recently a FEW times been able to put himself back to sleep after waking up from a sleep cycle. He doesn't take a paci but sucks his thumb.
I'm struggling with creating more "set" naptimes for him. He's very hard to read (especially for the PM nap) for tired signs. He will sometimes rub his eyes but I more have to watch the clock. Is it true that after 6 mos. they are more easily able to handle being overtired?? Also, should I just try to extend the second nap and drop the catnap?? The problem is if he wakes up at 1:30-2:00 that's a loooooong time 'til bedtime!
thanks for all your help!
Suzanne