Oh man...I don't think there's much more frustrating in this world than trying to coax a baby to sleep in an unpredictably noisy environment! And then for you, once she is asleep, you can't go get things done, because you're stuck in the same room! I can identify with your feeling of your world shrinking inwards...I have a four month-old right now, and it is hard to think about the things I would normally be doing (teaching those cute preschoolers at church, going to the zoo with my five year-old...nothing as worthy as what you are missing, but missed just the same) but I think you hit the nail on the head that we have to remember that this is such a temporary stage. Someday when you're an old, old lady in your rocking chair, you'd give just about anything to go back to that noisy boat and that tiny baby. And of course you know this verse, that I try to hold in my mind during this period: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. I hope you (and I) can find our joy and contentment within the times we're in right now, and know that we will have other times to do the things our hearts also hunger for.

And on a practical note, I hope you have a fan or some other way to make some white noise for that baby!