Geez hun...you've just described my Avery!!
Avery is scared of missing anything. Will literally squeal, crocodile tears, sometimes real tears before she nods off. I'm surprised that my body hasn't totally shut down yet cos of the sleep deprivation I've had over the six months since she's been born! She totally fights sleep even though you can clearly see that she's exhausted herself and needs the sleep.
But I must say hun, IT DOES GET EASIER!!
The reason why your LO has started to wake more is maybe cos she's getting older and wanting to be involved in all that's going on. I remember literally being stuck to the sofa cos Avery wouldn't sleep by herself and dreading any noise. She's a light sleeper!
A sling should help as she'll be attached to you while you go about getting things done. And hunni you're house is not the first to be a bomb site when a little bubba arrives. There'll be more of those days to come
It was only in month two that I started to get bits and pieces of housework done as I introduced In The Night Garden to Avery and she absolutely adored Iggle Piggle right from the start. So I'd get about 20 mins at a time to get bits and pieces done whilst she sat in her bouncer and watched it.
But sleep was a nightmare! It still can be at times when she's overtired but nowhere like it was when she was a younger bubba.
It really does feel like you don't get a complete minute to yourself at first but it does get easier. Daniel will just have to sort the housework out for the time being hun and take Grace for you when you need to get sorted. But I think it'll probably be better now that you have the wee sling.
Have you had a chance to try it out yet? x