Sleep When the Baby Sleeps

I've caught a nasty cold. Likely from being exhausted from my trip to Toronto and returning home to Owen's runny nose (one week in daycare...). I won't go into all the horrid details; suffice to say I feel like Niagara Falls.

So, I did what any good mother does. I set up the TV for a good hour or two of safe TV watching. Got out a snack. And left Owen to fend for himself so I could have a nap. You know, sleep when the baby sleeps.

I was feeling pretty optimistic since Alex had been having 1.5 to 2.5 hour naps the last few days.

Nap #1. Alex fussed and cried for 20 minutes. Didn't fall asleep at all. That doesn't happen too often these days.

Off with the TV (much to Owen's dismay), let's get outside for awhile.

Nap #2: Alex slept for her predictable 40 minutes. I couldn't fall asleep quickly enough. I left her for 15 minutes to see if she would fall asleep. No luck. At least Owen got in some good TV viewing...

Nap #3: Owen is at preschool so all is quiet. Alex slept for another 40 minutes. I had a horrible headache, so tried once again to leave her to see if she would fall back to sleep. She did, so I settled back into bed. She was awake 10 minutes later. I got up, went to the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water, walked to her room and... quiet... she fell back to sleep. But now I was wide awake!!!

This whole sleep when the baby sleep thing is good in theory but not so effective when you have an unpredictable napper...