To nap or not to nap?

Nap time has definitely been an issue, or non-issue depending on how you look at it, around here for the last few months. I think Gracie still needs a nap but she doesn't agree; or should I say...pretty much insists that she does not want a nap. I echo my friend Katie's statement; in that, I wish someone would insist that I nap and offer me the uninterrupted time to take one a day.

Most days Gracie really is fine without one and goes to bed easily between 7 -8 pm. Then other days she just crashes usually because we've had a busy day or if she's exhausted from not napping several days in a row. The late naps, around 3:30 or 4 pm, are tough for me because that then means she's awake until 9:30 or 10 pm. On those particular days she definitely needed a nap (I just wish earlier in the day) and I don't have the heart to keep her awake or to make her wake up...I know how much I need and enjoy my sleep when I'm that tired. The plus side for days with late naps and late bedtimes means she gets to play with Todd after he gets home from work...and they both love that time together!

Now if I would have posted this awhile back, I would have asked for suggestions on how to get your toddler and preschool children to continue napping. I can't lie, I am envious of those of you with children who are blessed with the gift of napping and all night sleep. However, I've changed my perspective and, thus my approach. I'm resolving to accept that this is just who Gracie is when it comes to not napping, who Delaney is when it comes to not sleeping through the night, who I am, and that this is just how our daily life works. And quite honestly...we're happy! I always want the best for my children and family but that also means that I'm assuming that everyone else is doing it better and that their grass is greener. I am reminding myself daily that what I am doing IS what's best for us and that our life, our situation, our circumstances are OURs not someone else's. What might work for y'all may or, more than likely, may not work for me/us.

Yep, I guess I needed to write all that, not that you necessarily needed to read it, but this blog is mine. I, of course, use it to share pics and stories of our family but I also use it to journal our life - a sort of therapy for myself! Enough said...on to the pics - probably the real reason most of you check in on us.

Crashed one afternoon.

After a nap.

She's a great napper and is getting to be a better
nighttime sleeper with longer stretches between feeds!