DC Metro Mom

Packing for vacation is always tough. In my pre-baby days, I agonized over choosing only two pairs of shoes and which sundress made me look the cutest. Now I agonize over which outfits are the cutest for my toddler, and whether I packed all of the nine zillion baby things that clearly they don’t sell anywhere else on Earth, so I must bring them with me (joke… smile now). Going to the beach is a particularly daunting packing task… there are so many variables!

The first Christmas with a new baby is a magical time, like experiencing the joy and wonder of the holiday season for the first time.  The second Christmas? Not so much.  Last Christmas, Miss L was 18 months old and Christmas was...exhausting! Twenty minutes into unwrapping presents she went all grouchy pants and had to take a nap. 

But this year, Christmas is magical again! Miss L didn't really understand what was going on first Christmas (she was only six months old!) or her second Christmas. But this year is different. Christmas trees, holiday lights, candles, songs, COOKIES! Miss L is all over it. And that makes me really, really, really excited. Nothing like a child to make something seem brand new again.

There is one problem, however. My idea of beautiful holiday decorations are green fir garlands and red velvet bows, maybe a few strings of white lights. Classic. Miss L does not share my opinion. To a two-year-old, the gaudier the better.

Last week was rough. On Saturday night, everything was fine. We pulled off the normal routine of bath, book, songs, bed without a hitch. But Sunday everything was different, and we had no idea why. She just wouldn't go to sleep. At 9 pm, after an hour of trying to get her down to bed, she told me to go away! So away I went, and she promptly cried. I came right back, and we started the same dance all over again.

While I have a lot to say on how being a working mom affects my sleep (or lack thereof), this post is actually about how my work schedule affects Miss L's sleep schedule.

It ain't good, folks.