Nightmare At 3 A.M.

Seriously, this week was the week were Baby J. decided to wake up before 5 A.M. more than once. I almost felt like going back in time and telling myself to stop complaining - 5 A.M.? That's a GREAT time to wake up compared with 3 A.M. and even 4 A.M.!

The first time this happened I kid you not my brain could not comprehend why in the world I needed to get out of bed while it was pitch black outside. 
I remember hearing a lot and I do mean A LOT of screaming and trying to figure out if there was a robbery going on or if someone got hurt. Then I realized that the screaming was coming from a very awake and very upset baby. So, you know I shot to my feet and grabbed him into my arms...well, maybe it was more like struggled to sit up,picked him up, and then THEN it hit me.

Why wasn't hubby reacting to Baby J. screaming his lungs out?I mean he was only on the other side of the bed...the screaming couldn't possibly be any quieter over there than on my side.

So, I turn around to see if Hubby was still sleeping only to get a mini scare. There by hubby's side of the bed was this gigantic guy with a cape! Or at least it was a cape until he bent over and grabbed some earplugs of off the nightstand. And revealed his identity to be that of Hubby. 

Next thing, I know is that Hubby is patting me on the shoulder and wishing me a good-night, kissing Baby J. on the cheek, carrying his blanket in one hand, while very casually stuffing the earplugs into his ears with the other. 
I couldn't believe it! He actually went to sleep in the spare room while leaving me to deal with Baby J. on my own!

I mean it's not like he hasn't had to take refugee in the other room, but that was because both I and the baby were sick and we didn't want him to get sick as well and miss work. But this, well this was just an upset baby needing to be calmed no reason to rush out of the room as if your heels were on fire!

Baby J. did end up going back to sleep sometime after 5:15A.M. By then I was totally ready to drop back into bed myself. Sadly, once 6A.M. rolled around Baby J. was ready to start the day. 

You know the early bird gets the worm - type of deal.

After another two days of this we were the happiest people on earth when we woke up today and saw that it was 6A.M.! And not 3 or 4.

Of course, we also got a good laugh out of me thinking hubby was wearing a cape and him rushing out of the room with the earplugs.

We still get a good laugh when we think of how the young boss had the old boss on the run!

Blah, Who Needs Sleep? It's Way Overrated!

Today started off as a wrong-foot forward kind of day. 

Baby J. decided he had enough sleep somewhere around 4A.M. and since he absolutely loves his mommy so SO much he also made sure to wake me up with loads of giggles and kisses. Now, I don't mind the kisses or even the giggles. What I do mind is that this was all happening at 4A.M.!

The world is still sleeping at that time and we should have been as well. Of course, I tried all the mommy tricks that I could think up. 

First, I gently hushed him and tried offering the pacifier. A firm shake of the head and some more giggles let me know that wouldn't work. Next, I sat up took him into my arms and tried rocking back and forth while humming a soft tune. Once again, a few pinches to my cheeks and some giggles at my "OUCH!" pronounced this try a fail. Then, I stood up and paced the length of the room while still humming...another fail. Finally, I headed to the kitchen with a very awake Baby J. grabbed a bottle of milk and headed back to the bedroom. The warm milk did the trick. He immediately started getting drowsy and we got to lay in bed for another 30 minutes while he took his sweet time drinking his bottle. Best 30 minutes EVER!! 

What stunk was the fact that all the above tries took me around 30 minutes so by the time the bottle was empty it was only 5A.M. and Baby J. was still half-asleep and getting to the dangerous point of fully awake. 

Again the rocking and humming was tried and the pacifier was offered and thank goodness he fell asleep.

In my still half-asleep mind frame I decided not to risk the switch from our bed to the crib but to let him sleep with me. It worked well, until Baby#2 decided to practice some kicks and punches and landed some under Baby J.'s hand that was on my belly. I came fully awake when the screaming started. Apparently, it is of topmost importance to start screaming when your yet-to-be-born brother kicks your hand. 

So, 5:15 A.M. welcomed us with open arms. 

Ever since then Baby J. has been having trouble sleeping. His morning nap lasted about 15-20 minutes instead of the regular hour and a half. His afternoon nap also lasted about an hour instead of the usual two hours. 

What is happening to his sleep??? Any ideas?

I can't keep this schedule up, it's been pretty bad sleep wise ever since he hit 3 months old. But we both got used to the wacky schedule and have managed to survive. So, why the sudden change in his sleeping schedule?

 I'm actually praying we'll return to our regular schedule by tonight but I'm not holding my breath.

All About Lack Of Sleep

I am absolutely exhausted. 

Today was almost more difficult than a day filled with work is. 

Baby J. and I visited the hospital early EARLY this morning for my glucose test. Which if you've ever wondered is absolutely positively disgusting. It is a huge cup of some sugary drink that makes the stomach turn somersaults. It also has the potential to make you throw up if your stomach isn't very strong.

And oh boy, did I wish I could throw up during the time it took to do the test. I barely managed to choke down the drink and hold it in until two hours passed. But to be completely honest the first half-hour wasn't so bad just the last hour and a half were pure torture. 

Once we were done we came straight home because Baby J. was exhausted and overly whinny. Unfortunately, great-grandpa had one last visitor over before he left so Baby J.'s nap-time was put on hold.

Which let me tell you was not a good idea. The whining and crying was oh so very intense. It almost made me want to cry as well. After all, I was just as exhausted if not more.

Baby J. did end up getting an hour nap, but I am quickly coming to the conclusion that it wasn't enough. The continued whining is my main hint. Apparently, he's refreshed enough to continue protesting his lack of sleep in a very oh yes VERY loud voice.

What's somewhat funny is that between the fits of crying Baby J. will stop and kiss my cheeks and nose and forehead ... pretty much every part of my face. Then he'll stop the loving, scrunch up his nose, and let loose a high pitched whine before starting to cry. 

Oh the joys of messed up sleeping routines.