when Avie was younger we would leave her in her xpen.. with her bed, food/water, pee pads, and toys! she was fine and slept most of the day anyway
but the xpen allowed her enough room to play, sleep, eat, & potty in!
then when we felt she was ready we allowed her access to one room.. and used baby gates to block her off from the rest of the house. then once we knew she was ready.. we gave her free reign to most of the house (minus a couple rooms & just closed those doors!
) i think if you try out an xpen.. and take it in stages.. you will be fine!
also.. make sure you give your baby lots of play time/walks, etc. when you are home!!
another thing.. we leave the tv on for her.. so it's not completely silent!
