My head has many words swirling in it today; foggy, fuzzy, groggy, dazed, cloudy, muzzy, hazy, foggy (wait, did I say foggy already?).
Yes, my blog reading friends, once again I blog about that one thing in the world that we probably all need more of: SLEEP!
I knew before I became a parent I wasn't going to get much sleep. Everyone I talked to who had kids, told me the same thing. "Enjoy sleep now, because once the baby is here you won't sleep for 18 years!".
I have always suffered from insomnia and thus the nickname "Nightowl" so I figured I could hack it. I had a lot of pain during my pregnancy which caused me to be awake a lot at night. Again I was told, "This was the baby preparing me for not getting sleep."
Then Carebear was born.
I quickly realized that insomnia and pain during the night was NOTHING compared to having a baby! NOTHING!
There is a HUGE difference between not being able to sleep and not being able to sleep because of a baby! With a baby, it's not because you "just can't sleep", you can sleep, man can you sleep. You're so exhausted that you could probably pass out ANYWHERE at ANY TIME if given the chance. The difference is that someone won't let you sleep! :( This beautiful bundle of joy you called precious is now the cause of sleepless nights and exhausting days.
It's the mind numbing constant "Wake up Mom, wake up Mom, wake up Mom, wake up Mom." Whether this comes in the form of words (with older kids) or cries of a baby, it's all the same message. You're exhausted and ready to pass out and yet this little bundle of joy is not letting you sleep, night after sleepless night.
Carebear was a terrible sleeper (as I've mentioned before in numerous posts) but before B-Man was born she got into an awesome rhythm where she slept all the way through the night, every night. It was so good, since I was very pregnant and very exhausted. After he was born she continued to do awesome which helped so much with a newborn, but since the big move in September her sleep schedule is all over the place and she often wakes up crying :(
B-Man has never been a good sleeper :( and continues to not be :( we're always in the process of trying new things to help him sleep longer and better but nothing has worked yet. :(
Every time I hear people complain about being tired, or "not getting enough sleep last night" I want to kick them. Enough sleep, what is that? What is enough? Eight hours? Seven? What are these foreign number you people speak of? Because getting more than 3 hours of sleep in a row is what I call a full night sleep these days!
I know this is just a phase and that one day I'm sure our little chicks will sleep better, but until then sleepless nights cause us to live in a constant fog.
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
If you only knew...
Why do you fight so hard to stay awake?
If you only knew how precious sleep really is you would never fight it! If you only knew how when you get older you'll crave it, wish for it and hope to get some!
If you only knew that you are lucky to fall asleep whenever you want, wherever you want and most adults will think it's cute and let you sleep!
If you only knew that there was no need to fight so hard to stay awake, that all your toys and games will be here when you wake up!
If you only knew that it was for your best that we ask you to go to bed and that one day you would DREAM of someone "forcing" you to go to sleep.
If you only knew that you should sleep.
If you only knew that you are lucky to fall asleep whenever you want, wherever you want and most adults will think it's cute and let you sleep!
If you only knew that there was no need to fight so hard to stay awake, that all your toys and games will be here when you wake up!
If you only knew that it was for your best that we ask you to go to bed and that one day you would DREAM of someone "forcing" you to go to sleep.
If you only knew that you should sleep.
Maybe there is something you know that we don't, like the joy in staying awake just a bit longer to play, to read, to sing!
Maybe if we only knew what you know...maybe.
Both Carebear and B-Man had trouble getting to sleep tonight. Both screamed, fussed, played, sang songs, and made noises. We spent a good chunk of time running from one room to the next trying to figure out what was wrong and what would make them feel better!
They both fought so hard tonight to stay awake, to play just a bit longer. What I would give to sleep as well as they do, as long as they do, whenever THEY want to sleep!
I guess we all had our chance to sleep "like a baby" too bad we can't remember much of it!
Both Carebear and B-Man had trouble getting to sleep tonight. Both screamed, fussed, played, sang songs, and made noises. We spent a good chunk of time running from one room to the next trying to figure out what was wrong and what would make them feel better!
They both fought so hard tonight to stay awake, to play just a bit longer. What I would give to sleep as well as they do, as long as they do, whenever THEY want to sleep!
I guess we all had our chance to sleep "like a baby" too bad we can't remember much of it!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Evil Co-sleeping and why I do it!
I am one of those dreaded co-sleepers you hear about.
I'm not a hippy, new aged, or "Crunchy" Mommy, I'm a Mom that finds something that works and does it. I'll try most anything and as long as it works and sits right with me, I'll do it.
You really do act differently with each child and the difference between Carebear and B-Man are HUGE! I was terrified about everything with Carebear! I think back now to how paranoid I was with her and laugh. I was a new Mom, with zero experience and a TON of advice from EVERYONE who thought they should give it! I had so many mixed messages, so much contradicting information that I never knew what to really think.
I learned quickly that what you SHOULD do is what works for you!
One of those areas was sleep!!
Carebear (like a lot of babies) was a terrible sleeper. She would wake up every 30 to 40 minutes each night, and we were exhausted! I had no idea what to do, or how to do it. I read lots of books, and listened to advice but nothing seemed to work.
One thing that did was co-sleeping. I would put Carebear on the bed with me and Mr. Rooster would sleep in the spare room. This also worked so that Mr. Rooster could actually get some sleep for work the next day.
We did this for a long time and although it didn't stop her from waking every few hours, it did help me get some sleep because I didn't have to get up , walk across the room, get her back to sleep and then go back to bed. I could just settle her and then pass back out.
We got a lot of grief from family about this arrangement so we just kept it to ourselves most of the time. But it worked. We got sleep at night and that was the most important thing.
We were told that if we co-slept that Carebear would NEVER be able to sleep in her own room or bed!
Well, in the end, Carebear from the age of 13 months has slept happily in her own room, in her own bed! We take her up, get her dressed, do her bedtime routine, put her in bed, say good night, close the door and she'll play in her room till she falls asleep, no fuss, and it takes us less than 10 minutes each night (longer on bath nights).
It's simple and easy. Nap time is the same way, no fuss!
So, I guess that co-sleeping wasn't as EVIL as we were told it was, and the end result is what most parents dream of - easy bedtime!
With B-Man I felt the pressure again not to co-sleep and so he was put into his crib from day one! I didn't mind so much but again, just like his sister he is a terrible sleeper, and was up even more often. :(
We tried a bunch of different things but the past week the only sleep relief I get is to co-sleep with him.
Not what I had planned but you do what works.
I try to be as safe as possible, and I am such a light sleeper that even the smallest noise or movement wakes me up. He sleeps far from me, spread out on the bed with no pillows or blankets near him. He does spend the first half of the night in his crib but the second half seems to be rough on him so he's up a lot and comes to bed with me.
I'm not sure if he'll continue to co-sleep, but if he does, I don't mind. The most important part for me is getting sleep, precious, precious sleep!
I try not to listen to peoples "advice" now. We each do what we think is best for our little ones. We all have different ways of doing things, but we all do what works for us!
I'm not a hippy, new aged, or "Crunchy" Mommy, I'm a Mom that finds something that works and does it. I'll try most anything and as long as it works and sits right with me, I'll do it.
You really do act differently with each child and the difference between Carebear and B-Man are HUGE! I was terrified about everything with Carebear! I think back now to how paranoid I was with her and laugh. I was a new Mom, with zero experience and a TON of advice from EVERYONE who thought they should give it! I had so many mixed messages, so much contradicting information that I never knew what to really think.
For each study that said you shouldn't there were an equal amount that said you should.
I learned quickly that what you SHOULD do is what works for you!
One of those areas was sleep!!
Carebear (like a lot of babies) was a terrible sleeper. She would wake up every 30 to 40 minutes each night, and we were exhausted! I had no idea what to do, or how to do it. I read lots of books, and listened to advice but nothing seemed to work.
One thing that did was co-sleeping. I would put Carebear on the bed with me and Mr. Rooster would sleep in the spare room. This also worked so that Mr. Rooster could actually get some sleep for work the next day.
We did this for a long time and although it didn't stop her from waking every few hours, it did help me get some sleep because I didn't have to get up , walk across the room, get her back to sleep and then go back to bed. I could just settle her and then pass back out.
We got a lot of grief from family about this arrangement so we just kept it to ourselves most of the time. But it worked. We got sleep at night and that was the most important thing.
We were told that if we co-slept that Carebear would NEVER be able to sleep in her own room or bed!
Well, in the end, Carebear from the age of 13 months has slept happily in her own room, in her own bed! We take her up, get her dressed, do her bedtime routine, put her in bed, say good night, close the door and she'll play in her room till she falls asleep, no fuss, and it takes us less than 10 minutes each night (longer on bath nights).
It's simple and easy. Nap time is the same way, no fuss!
So, I guess that co-sleeping wasn't as EVIL as we were told it was, and the end result is what most parents dream of - easy bedtime!
With B-Man I felt the pressure again not to co-sleep and so he was put into his crib from day one! I didn't mind so much but again, just like his sister he is a terrible sleeper, and was up even more often. :(
We tried a bunch of different things but the past week the only sleep relief I get is to co-sleep with him.
Not what I had planned but you do what works.
I try to be as safe as possible, and I am such a light sleeper that even the smallest noise or movement wakes me up. He sleeps far from me, spread out on the bed with no pillows or blankets near him. He does spend the first half of the night in his crib but the second half seems to be rough on him so he's up a lot and comes to bed with me.
I'm not sure if he'll continue to co-sleep, but if he does, I don't mind. The most important part for me is getting sleep, precious, precious sleep!
I try not to listen to peoples "advice" now. We each do what we think is best for our little ones. We all have different ways of doing things, but we all do what works for us!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Today I invented the "Baby Snooze Button"
It's been a while...a long while, but with birthdays, Christmas, up coming work, pet portraits and NO SLEEP I just haven't had the time or energy to write!
But today was a funny, yet exhausting day and so I'll tell you about a really neat thing I invented!
Today I invented the "Baby Snooze Button"
But today was a funny, yet exhausting day and so I'll tell you about a really neat thing I invented!
Today I invented the "Baby Snooze Button"
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I am a Worry Warrior!
I combat decision making with great ease and skill! There is no problem that I can't analyse to death! When faced with an issue I will use my shield of worry to hide myself from change! I proudly wield my sword of doubt and attack every good idea with skepticism and apprehension!
I come from a long line of Worry Warriors! Our tribe teaches each generation how to be full of anxiety and lack confidence!
I have always been a worrier! I can't think of a time in my life when I wasn't concerned with what people thought of me, what people were doing, if everyone was ok, if someone was mad at me, or if I've done something wrong.
It's been an endless cycle for me, and has led me to a place in my life where I am almost unmovable. :(
I am so worried about every thing that I don't do anything!
I've been trying to work on this the past few days (well years really) but the past few days have been a big focus for me.
Starting this blog has been super hard, since I'm honestly worried about grammar mistakes (I'm terrible with grammar and with spelling), worried about the content not being good or interesting, worried what people might say when they read this, worried that I might say the wrong thing.
There have been so many postings that I have deleted or haven't posted because I'm so worried what others might think.
The problem with worrying is that it's an exceptionally hard habit to break. How to do you turn off something that you've been trained to do and have done your whole life?
I have heard it a million times, "stop worrying so much.", "Just try not thinking about it". If only that worked. If only not thinking would work, but I have been cursed with a brain that NEVER sleeps! It's always on and always going. I have an extremely hard time relaxing and if it weren't for television I would never simmer at all. (TV is the only time I just zone out).
My brain is always a buzz with nonsense. Things that don't really matter. Going over conversations I've had, and planning conversations I might have.
I am a terrible sleeper. My brain doesn't shut off, so I'll lie in bed awake at night, even if I'm exhausted, and just think and plan, and think, and analyse, and plan and think...it goes on and on.
My brain ruins beautiful moments too :( with its constant stream of things to worry about or scenario that "may" occur!
If only there were some way to put all this wasted energy to good use.
Even now, before I actually hit the bright orange "publish" button, I'm full of doubt and fear.
I've been wanting to post this blog on Facebook, but have been so worried who might read it, what they'll think of it, and what they'll think of me.
I'm not sure if I'm ready for all of that, for I am a Worry Warrior and probably always will be!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Up all night...
I have a sick chick today :( poor Carebear was up screaming till 2:30am when she finally passed out till 5:30am and then started the screaming again.
Both her and her brother have had runny noses and I guess it hit her ears last night.
What a terrible night, poor thing :(
Thankfully B-Man slept great!!! So at least I only had to deal with one chickie :(
One of the worst parts of being a parent is watching your child in pain or discomfort when there's nothing else you can do to help :(
Thankfully she's a lot better this morning, just sneezy with a runny nose but in good spirits considering how the night went.
One great thing about Carebear is that she likes getting her nose wiped! She'll sneeze and then run over to me to wipe her nose or come and get a Kleenex and wipe it herself!
Today looks like it's going to be a long day!
B-Man is snotty and Carebear is too!
Me on the other hand.....*thud* zzzzzzzzz
Both her and her brother have had runny noses and I guess it hit her ears last night.
What a terrible night, poor thing :(
Thankfully B-Man slept great!!! So at least I only had to deal with one chickie :(
One of the worst parts of being a parent is watching your child in pain or discomfort when there's nothing else you can do to help :(
Thankfully she's a lot better this morning, just sneezy with a runny nose but in good spirits considering how the night went.
One great thing about Carebear is that she likes getting her nose wiped! She'll sneeze and then run over to me to wipe her nose or come and get a Kleenex and wipe it herself!
Today looks like it's going to be a long day!
B-Man is snotty and Carebear is too!
Me on the other hand.....*thud* zzzzzzzzz
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Go to sleep...
Today closes with good and bad news.
Bad; B-Man is still awake and shows no signs of going to bed and Carebear keeps waking up crying :(
it may be a long night :(
Good; I did great today and had a blast dancing with Carebear. She's playing follow the leader when we dance, it's a hoot! Sometimes she leads, sometimes I lead! I'm amazed every day at all the little things they learn to do! I love them so much!
Bad; B-Man is still awake and shows no signs of going to bed and Carebear keeps waking up crying :(
it may be a long night :(
Good; I did great today and had a blast dancing with Carebear. She's playing follow the leader when we dance, it's a hoot! Sometimes she leads, sometimes I lead! I'm amazed every day at all the little things they learn to do! I love them so much!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
I'm going to blog about my kids today...
My oldest chick, Carebear, decided not to sleep well last night :( She's 22 months and used to sleep great. Lately, not so good :(
My youngest, B-Man, has a runny nose and was up with that all night :( He's 5 months old and has never been a good sleeper.
Needless to say, I'm tired LOL
Oh the joys of having little ones :)
Then to top today off, Carebear didn't take her nap today. She went to room and played instead of sleeping! Ugh!
I'm hoping tonight goes a bit better!
My youngest, B-Man, has a runny nose and was up with that all night :( He's 5 months old and has never been a good sleeper.
Needless to say, I'm tired LOL
Oh the joys of having little ones :)
Then to top today off, Carebear didn't take her nap today. She went to room and played instead of sleeping! Ugh!
I'm hoping tonight goes a bit better!
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