All Out of Whack!

Here lately, Rylie's bedtime routine has gone from a peaceful state of rocking, singing, and snuggling...to a chaotic twist and shout game where she does everything in her power to wiggle free from my arms just so she can, ever so tiredly, resume playing with her purple spoon. It used to be that she would eat dinner, play, and then succumb to her tiredness and allow me to hold and snuggle her until she fell fast asleep in my arms...all before 8pm. Oh! No! Not the case anymore. And I know that she's tired because she usually tries to nap during her bedtime bottle. But for the fear of it only being a cat-nap that will give her just enough energy to stay up until midnight...I don't allow her to fall asleep too early. And when it's time...she fights it (according to my mom, she's transitioning from "mommy's time" to "Rylie's time"). But after finally giving in to her heavy eyes, she sleeps. But not like she used to. How can things change so quickly? And drastically?! Take this morning, for example: I've been up since 4am!! And while my precious baby naps at daycare, I'm drinking Mt. Dew in hopes that it will keep me from falling asleep at my desk! But, Oh! how I love that little girl! It may have been early. My bed may have been warm and comfy. Griff may have been happily cuddled next to me. And the thought may have crossed my mind that I have a full day of work ahead of me and I have to get up in less than an hour. But as Rylie lay between me and Brian, pulling at my mouth, nose and hair...I smiled.