Fighting Sleep

I was able to get my painting from last September finished two days ago. It only took 5 months! Still, it was a productive time, the nap time my little one finally gave into. Why does she fight sleep so vehemently? Fed, changed, warm, and still not happy to drift off to dream land. Room darkening curtains drawn, soft music or no music...she fights it.

Still, the past two days I've tried to get her to nap, and after hours of frustration I gave her a bottle. First day was great! I got my painting done during the two hour nap. Second day, she kept fighting even after the bottle. I did eventually get her to sleep and had two hours to do a small study for a larger painting. However, last night's battle for bedtime was extremely depressing, and after 2 hours of trying all the things that used to work, including a bottle, she finally went to sleep.

So, no more bottles to try and get her to sleep longer! (she woke up at 4:30 anyways)

She would much rather just fall asleep feeding in my lap/arms and sleep on her side right there...in my lap. Whcih she is doing right now. My scent? Being on her side and not her back? The warmth? I know the time won't last forever, and one day it will be the last time she sleeps in my lap. I still remember the last time she slept on my chest <3 thankfully I took a photo!

Working towards the date I set for myself to get back to work, March 1st. I really must have a strategy figured out. So far, the 'work while she naps' idea isn't looking so good. I need to muster up so new strategies to get back into making art that are reliable!