Re-adjustment Period

I have to preface this entry by saying that I'm probably going to jinx myself by writing about this particular topic. Once my words are published, there's no taking them back. Anything could happen to negate my point of view. But that's a risk I'm going to have to take.

I was dreading returning home from our 3-week stint in Florida. Not only would I miss the balmy puffy-jacket-free weather and the extra all-day help with Daniel, but I would have to face the possibility of my worst nightmare coming true: that Daniel's schedule would be turned on its head. While we kept to a semi-regular routine in Florida, naptimes and mealtimes shifted more than usual on a daily basis. There were some mornings I awoke at 7:00 to the sounds of Daniel saying, "Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh..." this is a child who typically sleeps until 8:30! On a few occasions, his nap was cut short for no particular reason. What were usually 3-hour-naps at home were dwindling to 2 hours or less! I was in a panic. I didn't know if I was equipped to deal with such drastic schedule changes once I got home and was faced with a busy schedule.

Last year, upon our return home from Florida, Daniel's naps were all out of whack. I would put him down at the usual time and listen until he was quiet. When I'd turn off the treadmill 2 hours later, he'd be crying hysterically and I'd rush to rescue him from the confines of the Pack 'n Play. This went on for several weeks. I even went so far as to borrow a second Exersaucer from a friend, thinking that Daniel could stay in the room with me while I worked out (if he was no longer willing to nap). I don't really remember how the issue resolved itself, but he eventually went back to being the stellar napper that he is. I just had to make it through a couple of weeks of hell.

So you can imagine my concern upon returning home this week. Would my little darling's voice transmit through the monitor at the break of dawn? Would my luxurious afternoon breaks be a thing of the past? Only time would tell. Well, it has been two days. (Here's the part where I am surely jinxing my good fortune.) Daniel has been an absolute angel. He's not only sleeping through the night until well after 8:00, but his naps have been restful and long. He's eating like a champ, and even letting me change his diaper without too much hassle (well, there has been a lot of wiggling but no kicking me in the stomach as of yet). So far, it looks like I may get out of this one scott-free. Not sure what I did to deserve it, but I sure don't take it for granted!