The Perils of Traveling

So, we both have a cold.

Luckily this isn't like last time. This time it's just a stuffy nose that is almost gone for me, and James is just starting.

It's been a week since we returned home.  My sleep pattern is finally feeling normal.

James is trying.  He really is.

I remember hearing once that the rule is you need 1 day to recover for every 1 hour of time change while traveling.  While that was the case for me, with the little one it is anything but that.  He still can't decide when he wants to sleep, some days opting for 4 hour naps, and we are at the mercy of the sleep whine.

Have you heard of it?

It's the noise - the constant, incessant noise - made by a child who wants to sleep but the parents aren't sure if that is the case because they've only been awake 2 hours and shouldn't need to nap yet.  It's this whining noise that seems to be coming from the very core of the child, and if you hear the noise then you have exceeded their expiration date and have only moments to get them to bed.

If you miss that moment, they may suddenly have a burst of energy which will only delay a bigger meltdown.

I really am sick of that noise.

So we watch the clock.  Time it from when awakes, and estimate that perfect sweet spot.  The one between when he isn't tired enough to nap and might just yell and throw things from him crib and when he is too exhausted and will do nothing but cry for 20 minutes before crashing from pure exhaustion.

It's a delicate balance, but we're managing it for now.

Well, as well as you can manage it.

The joys of parenthood.