Erratic

er'rat'tic adjective
1. characterized by lack of consistency, regularity, or uniformity
2. deviating from what is ordinary

Example:

Piper's sleeping is erratic.

We are struggling with sleep. Precious, precious sleep.

When we went home in July, it was because I needed help. Piper's sleeping was all over the place. Then, the second night we were in Utah, she slept through the night. We thought it was a fluke. We though she must be sick. But she kept it up.

But, don't be fooled. She is not a good sleeper.

20 minute cat naps are her favorite during the day. Waking up every 45 minutes from 6 pm to 11:30 pm is her specialty. It is still rough. What makes it so frustrating is when something works . . . once, and then it never works again.

For example: the following are tricks we though were "it."

First day home from the NICU, "She's such a great sleeper."

The bouncer. "She'll grow into it."

The swaddle, car seat insert and swing. "I'm getting desperate."

Our bed. "I'll never judge another mother again."

Crib, wedged in between blanket rolls.

Car seat. "Maybe she just wants a friend to hold."

Unfortunately, none of these have lasting results. She changes her sleeping preference every day, just to keep us on our toes. Only one trick has worked consistently--holding her in my arms for hours while she sleeps.

However, on those mornings after she has gotten good sleep, she is such a joy to wake up.

We'll keep her. But we may start sedating her.