Two weekends ago we visited my sister, brother-in-law and nephew.

My sister and brother-in-law left me and the kids in charge for a day while they went off to do adult chores.  Not fun, but without a baby and dog in tow, glorious.

The day before had been rocky. Baby hadn’t slept much.

Of course, being the experienced mom I am, I know how important sleep is.

Granted, the whole ‘the more baby sleeps during the day, the better he sleeps at night’ thing never applied to my kids. But it seems to work for this one.

I wasn’t about to fail.

Shortly after his parents left, it was time for Nap #1.

He was not happy.

Screamed.  Squirmed.

The beauty of not being a first time mom, nor this being my own child, is I have endless more patience.

And willpower.

“You will sleep.  A lot.”  Was my attitude.

He succumbed.  And he slept.

Nap #2 later.  He went down easily, but woke up half an hour later crying.

Time for more willpower.

And perhaps a contact nap for good measure.

He was a total peach the rest of the day.

Normally on a walk, he screams halfway through.

Today, not a peep.

And at the end of the day, I got to hand him back to his parents, having successfully fed him, entertained him, and managed his sleep.

Best. Aunt. Ever.

If only for eight hours