Update

So today has been slightly better than yesterday. Ava JUST went down for her first nap of the day (I swear this baby is superhuman) and was fighting for her life not to. I don't know if it's a developmental thing, but she just seems so frustrated with everything. I think her little mind is developing quicker than her body and she just doesn't understand why she can't do certain things.

I took her to the bookstore and noticed how fascinated she was with flashcards and pop-up books. I've been reading her Cat in the Hat type books, but I think she's so over that. She just studied the cards and pictures for hours and kept really quiet and alert. Cute, but frightening at the same time.

I also brought out some toys people had given us for when she got older (6 mo+ to one year old) and she just took to it like a moth to a flame. She particularly like this one where you push a button on the top and all these balls swirl around the toy. I placed this toy on different parts of her play blanket and she would literally roll to the toy and grab it...! I've never witnessed a multiple roll, but she did it many times today and was quite mobile.

This new distraction has bought me a few quiet moments to myself and I feel a little recharged. I was beginning to think Ava was purposely trying to be a little demon to get under my skin since she always appropriately laughs when I begin to lose my patience. And remember, this is all from a barely 5 month old.

I've also found through my Google research (sounds so official..ha!) that Ava falls into the "high needs baby" category. She fits all the characteristics to a tee, which makes me feel a little better that it's not something that I'm particularly doing wrong. I watch other people's babies and see how they just quietly sit in their mother's lap or chill out and wonder why Ava is so crazy. I know all babies are different, but come on, it sucks being that mother with the high energy baby that is constantly squealing and spazzing out ALL THE TIME. I'm thankful that Ava has a zest for life and is full of energy, but please, a little teeny weeny break would be great.

Right now, I'm blasting the Celine Dion "Miracle" CD that is full of slow lullabyes and songs for babies, but Ava is still waking off and on fighting to stay awake. Even Oliver submissed and is blissfully sleeping to the music (albeit upstairs to get away from the crying...). Hopefully this is a phase - one that she'll quickly grow out of - and we can somewhat normalize soon. Got any tips, advice, spells (seriously...)? Feel free to send them my way!