Yall, I am gettin some success!!!!!! After a few hormonal screams at her followed by apologies, she is sleeping a bit better.
For naps I have been letting her dictate the time and it's been pretty close each day. I read a quick book, pull the room darkening shade that I just installed (REAL LIFE SAVER) and put her in her crib. She will instantly try to get up and I leave the room. She plays a bit and I go in after 10 min and try to get her down again. I leave again if she instantly tries to get up. I let this go on for 2-3 cycles then I get firm. I won't let her get up, hold her gently in place and she will cry at first- few seconds at most- the relaxes and starts to--- get this-- SELF SOOTHE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I can lift my hands and she stays down then I know she is on her way to sleep. I stand and wait nearby for however long it takes until she is out. Usually 5-10 min. She does it on her own. The length of sleep is still a problem though. Sometimes only 20 minutes and there is no return at that point, but other times it is 1hr.
Nite time has gotten a very specific routine now and she is responding well to it. She lets me lay her down and walk away. She is sleeping 2-3 hr before waking, wants a hug then back down. After that though is still anyone's guess. Could be another 2,3,4 hr or 1/2 to 1hr between wakings. I won't take her to my bed before 4am though. I try to hold it to 6am if I can, then we stay in bed for another 2hrs.
Yes this is still draining me but I realize there is improvement.
Hope this gives hope to others out there, especially if you read my first post in reply 'in need of encouragement'
One nite of sleep-Great!!!
