4.23.2012

The Sleep Monster

So, it was our fault.
It started with her getting her bottom molars.

A few times waking up through the night...
doses of medicine and snuggles in the rocking chair.

Then, it grew into a monster...
up every few hours and crying when we put her back in the crib.

Then we fed the monster after midnight.
We brought her to our bed.

Knowing it probably wasn't a  good idea...
but so tired we told ourselves it was just one night.

Eva laying chester web.jpg

Guess what?
Our monster loves sleeping in our bed.
The crying and waking only became worse.

Over the weekend we out of town.
Visiting friends, complicating the problem we created.
The monster grew.

She napped and slept with us both nights.
We were in no place to do battle, so...
we decided to fight the monster when we made it home.

Last night was night one.
And it was tough.

At bedtime - she laid it all out for me.
I go sleep in mommy and daddy's bed.
Crap... not what I wanted to hear.

I said, no Eva sleeps in her own bed..
Oh Mommy, I think your bed, yes.
Really? Really.

Eva chester and blanket web.psd

Round one.
Peeling her off me like and octopus.
Screaming as loud as she could.

I want you mommy.
I need you mommy.
Hold me mommy please.

There was 20 minutes of crying, and about 10 minutes of little whines.
She fell asleep and I dried my tears.
Drowning in mommy guilt

Round two was much harder.
2:30 a.m. refreshed and ready...
 having some sleep under her belt.

Add in a tired mommy...
and lets just call it an hour of pure torture.

I had my box of tissues and my phone to clock watch.
When it was all over I felt like I had ran a marathon...
even though I never left the bed.

This morning I was greeted be a well rested monster.
Hi, Mommy!  Good Morning!

She didn't hate me.
She told me she loved me.
I almost cried again... just so happy she still liked me.

I may have given her extra hugs...
and a chocolate muffin for breakfast.
It will be just fine... 

and then, she {snapped}  bits of splendor mondayFindingBeautyintheOrdinary.com 

9 comments:

Adrienne said...

So, so hard the sleeping thing! I had one who never gave me a second of trouble after 6 weeks (yes, you read that correctly)...and another who...let's just say, made up for it. The nightmares were the worst of it for us ~ it is all a distant, faded memory now. Always shocked me how INTENSE they could be in the moment...and then go on as if nothing had happened!!

Giggle Business said...

i know how you feel its really hard hearing them cry when every part of your body is screaming at you to go and comfort them. I have learned to ignore it (unlike the husband.)
However it does get alot easier who knows maybe tonight she might not make such a fuss and might not wake up in the middle of the night.
fingers crossed for you and just stick to your guns

Stephanie said...

I have been there...oh man, the sleep troubles are the worst. Keep at it...it will only get better! : )

Una said...

Oh man, I hope that was the worst of it, sounds like you need a chocolate muffin too. (uggh all thumbs)

rachel said...

good for you for sticking to your guns. we must not let the little monsters win!!

Unknown said...

Oh friend! I feel for you! This too shall pass!!

Unknown said...

Oh, that has to be heartbreaking. It is difficult not to be hard on ourselves and feel that guilt even though we know what is best. So glad she forgave you by morning!

EMily said...

Oh man...good luck with staying strong, battles in the middle of the night are the toughest to resist.

aimymichelle said...

aww..