Progress is Measured in Inches

I have been insisting Riley nap in her crib. Even though we always nurse first and I always give her lots of affection when telling her it's nap time she still objects to sleeping in her own bed. Which meant it was finally "cry it out" time. I remember the first day napping in the crib she cried for 45min before she went down. Aside from that she took a half nap (30-45min) both times that day. It was gut wrenching for me. I had to go outside and call a friend for support. I stuck to it though.

Today it paid off. The first nap she took Riley cried for a mere 10minutes and then slept her customary hour and a half. Hallelujah! I was so excited to have built up some momentum and also completely terrified it would never - happen - again. When I put her down for her next nap that day it was only 12minutes of crying and an acceptable 1hr nap.

We've conquered naps, but the battle over sleeping in her crib at night rages on. It's partially because it's linked to the wean or don't wean debate. We have a night time routine of dinner, bath with relaxing Johnson's Bedtime Bath, pajamas, story time (The Going to Bed Book), nursing and then into the crib. She usually sleeps from 9 or 10 until midnight or 1am before she's up crying. At this point she's old enough that she shouldn't need to eat at night and for a few months before the surgery she wasn't. It's habit now from sleeping with me and a good way to get back to mommy's bed.

I have to admit I'm not holding up as well at night. I sleep soundly for the first 3hours and wake up in a panic because she's crying. I lay there anxious trying to focus on tv, but it's alot harder than ignoring her crying when I'm busy during the day. I try not to go in at all after bedtime. Mike will sometimes rock her and sing to her or bring her a sippy of cow's milk.

That is a current point of contention because I don't think replacing breast feeding with a cup of milk is going to break the habit, but I digress. Sometimes daddy prevails and she settles in until 4am, but at that point after 15-30minutes of crying I always cave. Sometimes midnight goes badly and we give up at that point.

So, will tonight be the night we really stick to our guns and let her cry it out all night? I know I have to be tough, but talk about easier said than done. Also, I'm just not sure about weening before my surgery or not. Everything is so complicated and intricate...