Nap

I tried some advice from my friend from Monticello, Andi (just making sure everyone knows which Andi I'm speaking about ;-), when putting Nora down for her nap. She chose to take Elmo and her stuffed lion into the crib with her. We told them both that it was time for a nap and we sat down to read the standard two books. We got up to get into the crib and Nora start to be a little hesitant, but realized that we needed to put her friends down for a nap. We talked them through the same process that I talk Nora through when putting her down, "Mommy is going to stand next to the crib, tell you to have sweet dreams, and then give you a kiss before laying you in your bed." Same ol' same ol' except Nora was trying to say everything I was to the animals. She still wasn't very happy when I put her in the crib, but quieted down when I said she had to be quiet for Elmo and the Lion.

Leaving the room still sucked, but she only cried for 10 minutes as opposed to 30! Improvement! Much better than last nights' 90 minute cry! It was HORRIBLE! Especially because we had guests. It's hard to keep a routine when guests are here, but it still has to happen or Nora gets really thrown. Ok, maybe I do to. Fortunately Charlie and Janine are also expecting a little one and wanted to learn all about our experiences!

I just picked up a book yesterday that said kids go through periods of being comfortable with themselves and others where they aren't. 18 to 24 months is one of the most difficult times because their brains have developed so much faster than what they are physically able to do. So Nora probably believes that she should be able to communicate better than she is and gets frustrated with herself and us when it doesn't go the way she wants. The same goes for physical activity. Although she is climbing on everything, her brain may be telling her that she should be able to do so much more.

We'll just have to wait this one out, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!