To Nap or Not to Nap

Chase won't take naps anymore. After all, we're talking about 25 pounds of muscle, bone, superior genes, voracious intellectual curiosity, inherent good looks, and the iron will of a Spartan. No naps are needed for such a finely tuned physical specimen of baby boy.

However, there are ways to trick him into snoozing, i.e., fill his tummy with something that he really, really loves... say.... crepes covered with Nutella spread, or honey, strawberries, etc. Top it off with some fruit cocktail, and he'll fall asleep right in his high chair. (That's where I've left him at this very moment, snoring, with chocolate spread smeared all over his face like it's his birthday) But actually, it's MY birthday, because I finally get some peace & quiet for a change, while he sleeps off his breakfast buffet...

I married into a musical family. Kani's Dad is a band director, her Mom sings, her brother is musically talented, although I've only seen him play golf & fix teeth so far, Kani is an accomplished oboist, and Hannah wants to be one too, if she can remember to actually take her oboe to school with her for practice and sectionals....

I think Chase will be a percussionist. He has some real drum sticks, among his many other toys, and he loves to beat on things with them...even his dear old Dad. We are trying to teach him not to bite, which he sometimes does to be affectionate, and not to hit, which he sometimes does just because he wants to, although he will often offer some sort of affectionate apology afterwards. If he is in my study with me, and feels he is being ignored, he will beat on my thigh with his drumstick while I work at my desk. After a few licks, it begins to hurt, and I will say "Ouch, ouch, ouch..." to show him that he is causing pain.

But Chase also has a tender side. He will then feel remorse, will crawl up into my lap, give me a sweet hug, and pat my back to 'help me feel better' from the flogging he has just given me. After a while, this becomes a fun game, with lots of frequent and enthusiastic beatings, followed by even more compassionate and tender sympathy for what just happened.

We will probably wait a while before getting him a baseball bat. No boomerangs either.