Hi Jackie, I know what you mean about being reassuring to know there are other kids out there with similar issues!! I've been dealing with the nap difficulties since my dd was 10 mo (ever since she could stand up in the crib) and it's so frustrating. You know she's tired but then she just gets excited. My only saving grace is that she is always happy - thank goodness!!
I DO have to say her naps have improved - but now that she has been diagnosed with asthma and is on medication, we're having problems again.
Our routine is as follows:
Wake: 5:30-6:30
Breakfast: 7:30 (doesn't really eat)
Milk: 8:00
Snack: 9 or 10 (basically snacks all morning b/c no breakfast)
Lunch: 11 or 11:30
Nap: 11:30 or 12:30 (if she naps, we usually have to wake her these days b/c she's so tired, after about 2 1/2 hrs)
Snack: 3:30
Dinner: 5:30 or 6
Bath: 6:30 or 7
Bedtime: 6:45 or 7:15
Based on recent posts and her early wake up times I've been experimenting with putting her down earlier at night. Before, I really always put her down at 7:15 but often I think that's late. I'm currently experimenting with an earlier bedtime but it's tough as I also have a 4-yr-old to coordinate around, not to mention activities that go later, etc.!
Please feel free to ask me any questions; as I mentioned before, these 2 seem to be fairly similar to me!