Friday, May 24, 2013

Sleep *yawn*

I have always loved sleep.  As long as I can remember.  So much so that even in my Bethany days I can remember being upset when those crazies were making a hubub in the hallways after ten pm.  Even in those days the times were few and far between when I would stay up until (gasp) midnight or so.  I just prefer my Zzz's, okay?
So when we decided to have a baby, I knew I would be in for a rude awakening.  And, yes, I was aware of this even before people started saying "get all the sleep you can now, because you won't get any after the baby".  Helpful people, helpful.  What I didn't know however, was how profoundly sleep would impact my life.
You see, at this point in the game, the last time I can remember getting more than two hours of sleep in a row was at least four months ago.  And I'm tired.  I'm tired and I'm uncomfortable because I've made the long journey from getting up and ssshing Gavin to rocking him and shoving a soother in and finally giving in and letting him into our bed in an effort for just a little more shut-eye.  Now, don't get me wrong - I really have no opinions or prejudices about any ways of parents sleep.  You let your kid cry it out?  You co-sleep?  Great.  Fine by me.  I wish any of these solutions would get my little boy to have a good night's rest.  Then maybe I could function.   But, unfortunately, I've just found that co-sleeping is not for me and that after hours of hearing Gavin cry (no, not leaving him totally alone for hours) I can't take it anymore.
Yesterday I made a grocery list.  At the top of the list: headaches.  I wrote "headaches" at the top of my grocery list and I have no idea what that means.  Today in an effort to live healthy, I fixed myself a delicious looking green smoothie, but I have no idea what it tasted like because it wound up here.
And also inside the mechanism of the blender because I forgot to tighten the blade in and then proceeded to knock my glass and the blender over on the counter.  Add this to the complete lack of decisiveness, crying over nothing and everyday clumsiness I have and I'm pretty sure I can find the culprit.  No sleep.
I miss my old self.  The one that only cried about once a month (mysteriously about every 28 days) and was fairly easy going and happy go lucky.  Where is that girl?  I think she's in my dreams somewhere.
So I'm about thisclose to hiring a sleep consultant to finally teach Gavin how to sleep without a soother or his momma close by.
Someday I'm sure I will look back and these last few (and next few) months will all seem like a blur.  And I know I will miss rocking my little baby and all his babyness.   But for now, I'll be dreaming day dreaming of sleep.

5 comments:

Joy said...

My dear sweet Niece!! I wish I was there to give you a big hug. AND to hold your little guy so that you could have a good sleep tonight!! Mind you - I would just love to hug your little guy and say hello to him before he turns much older .... shame on this old auntie!!
BUT that being said - I think I perhaps may get to host you a little when you are here. Looking forward to that!! I will be praying that Gavin turns that sleep corner SOON..... his Momma needs sleep pretty badly!! Love to you - big hugs - and prayers.
love auntie Joy.

ashleymarie said...

I also *desperately* miss the days of going to bed when I wanted to and waking up when I wanted to... sometimes I long to hear the sound of my alarm waking me up instead of a little person that needs me that minute!! Good thing they are cute.

looking forward to seeing you soon!!!

xox

Trev and Rebekah said...

I am so aware that my life will change once again in a few months when I won't get sleep. I have been blessed with a boy who sleeps through the night. Yes granted he's 6 now. And to think I have to go without sleep. For a good reason but I know it will be hard. I don't function well without sleep so I understand. You will get through this. For us the crying it out worked. He kept flipping on his tummy at 5 months and freaking out cause he didn't like it when trying to sleep but after going in to put him on his back like 6 different times I finally let him cry it out...Dr. recommended this to a friend to do at this age so I tried it. Those first few days of A LOT Of crying were hard but then it worked and I am oh so thankful for it now. You'll figure out what works for you and your kiddo. My son also wasn't a soother kid so I wasn't left to have to always go give it back in the night. Have you thought of putting lots of soothers in the crib for him to find one himself?

Sandra said...

So sorry to hear of your sleep deprivation! I can relate and miss the days when I could sleep for 8 hours straight. We've struggled with Levi too and are just turning a corner now. He'll be a year old next week. Problem is now my body doesn't even know how to sleep for more than a couple hours without waking up - so frustrating! I keep reminding myself "this too shall pass" but truthfully the lack of sleep can't happen soon enough. Hope you can find some rest. I was close to hiring a sleep consultant too. I've heard of a few people who have done it and have nothing but positive results - might be worth the investment. No shame in asking for help. Hang in there .
Love ya

Trev and Rebekah said...

i never new a sleep consultant existed.