Naps

When I was on maternity leave, the only way I could get Yorlee to take a nap was to hold her in my arms.  So it became a habit.  A bad one, at that.

I knew that she would go through some changes once she started going to daycare.  I noticed on several occasions that when I would come to pick her up, she'd be sleep in her rocker, BY HERSELF.  I just thought that maybe the new surroundings caused her to be okay sleeping alone.  Finally, it was bugging me because I was needing some "me time" on the weekends.  I inquired about it on Friday, and the daycare provider told me that after Yorlee is fed and her diaper is changed, she swaddles her up and puts her down.  I thought, "No way can it be that simple."  She told me that she does cry for a minute and then she falls asleep.  When I arrived home from work on Friday, I informed my husband and he said that we should try it.  So on Saturday, when Yorlee was cranky and due for a nap, my husband changed her diaper, gave her a bottle, swaddled her, and put her in her swing.  She started crying, so I went over and sat next to her (without picking her up), she stopped crying and was babbling and staring at me.  Her eyes started to get heavier and heavier, until finally, she went to sleep.  I couldn't believe it!!  She was napping on her own!

She was sleep for FOUR HOURS!!!  My husband and I didn't know what to do with ourselves!  We watched a movie, took a nap, and finally it was killing me so I went and picked her up.  She did the same thing yesterday as well!  It feels so good to know that I can get things done now.  Before I felt as though I had to hold her all day to keep her content.  Now I know she's okay if I put her down.

Now if I can only get her to sleep on her own at night.  It would be amazing!