Sleep Deprivation

[lhughes]

For any of you out there who have or have had in the past toddlers in the house.....how do you EVER get enough sleep?  And of course, the diet gurus all say that adequate sleep is so important.

How do you do that with 2 babies who are alternating their wake-ups....sleep restlessly (in our bed, they don't start there, but end up there around midnight)...and God love them, keep mommy from getting a good night's sleep.  Vegas was good for the sleep, but 2 nights back at the house and my butt is dragging the ground.

Is there a happy medium somewhere?  Of course, it's not helping that life at this moment has chosen to do the "speed-up" thing, where there's too much stuff to do and just not enough time in a day to do it.

[Happy2girls]

I don't mean to scare you but it doesn't get any better when they are teenagers.  I think I trained myself when they were infants to get up several times a night and I still do that....crazy.  Lack of sleep is such a killer, wreaks havoc on your body.  True story....My Happy and I went on a weekend getaway a few years back...we arrived in this sweet little Connecticut town, had a couple of drinks, went back to the hotel and promptly fell asleep.  The best part we slept for 14 hours!  It was like a slice of Heaven.  I was just thinking today how much I miss when my kids were small.....thanks for the wake up call.    

[lhughes69]

Golly gee... such a ray of sunshine.  Glad to help you, though!!!  :)

Naw, love my kids, but this sleep thing can (somedays, as yesterday was) be an issue big time.  Of course you understand that lack of sleep wrecks havoc on the body, the diet, and the ATTITUDE towards others.  Yesterday was NOT pretty.  And now that I'm not taking Effexor anymore, I'm having to reign in on temper, moodiness, and tears.  One thing I'll say for Effexor, you pretty much didn't have any other attitude other than happy.  And that's not necessarily a good thing.

Do they ever sleep in their own beds?  Did yours?  And what is it about one coming in at one time (11ish) and the other coming in about and hour and half later...can't they come in all at once and just disturb the parents once?  Or is that an evil plot of children to run their parents insane?

I guess I'm ranting, looking for sympathy.  I think hubby slept on the floor after the girls came in last night.  Don't know, but I think he may have the better idea.  At least he doesn't get ribbed or foot to the head or elbowed.  

Thanks ... I think.  :)  Want to trade?  You'd send 'em back.  :)

[lhughes69]

lhughes and lhughes69 would be the same person...different computers.  I forgot this one knows the secret password to lhughes69, which I thought it had lost.... and that's why there ended up 2 profiles.

lhughes, lhughes69 .... aka Lisa

[Happy2girls]

I think co-sleeping is much more common that others may lead you to believe.  My children both slept with me, my fault, my first had colic and the only way we both would sleep is if I brought her into bed with me and the second I felt guilty leaving in her own room since my first was with me, so in she came too.  Poor hubby was edged out, banashed to the Barbie bed.  Sometimes I think it was a conspiracy between the two sisters to prevent any further siblings ; )  It does get better though, it really does.  Hey, Lisa, rant away....that's why we're here.  I get very cranky when I don't get my 6 hours a night and as much as I try to keep my moods in check my kids do get the brunt of it sometimes.  Do your girls still nap and if so can you say screw the housework and lay down too?   Here's hoping we both get some rest and soon.   Patty          

[suzi-q]

Thank God my daughter is a good sleeper.  So I get my sleep.  However, I have to get up so early for work (5 a.m.) that it is never enough.

I have a friend who has 6 boys...6, 3, and 1 1/2.  The answer to your question is, NO, YOU NEVER GET TO SLEEP.....Lovely huh?

Sleep or no sleep, I ate like a maniac at the birthday party last night.  I feel like a whale today.  I make myself so mad!

[Happy2girls]

Last night is done and over....you have to let it go.  Don't beat yourself up just jump back on the wagon.  Weekends are sooooo tough for me.  I usually have to shave points from the rest of the week just to cover my weekend slip-ups.  This weekend is my sister's engagement party at an Italian restaurant (God help me) and everyone is bringing desserts, Yikes!  But I'm going to be good....yup, I am going to behave.  Let's stay motivated, Girls!

[lhughes]

You guys are great.  I'm so glad I only have 2, and I'll agree that (if mommy could have another baby) the girls are a good "pregnancy preventative".  Our first daughter started out well, in her own "big bed" just before Lauren was born.  Then my mom moved in and stayed in the room with Lauren and somehow we lost control after that.  Kathryn learned that mimi would let her into bed, so most mornings I would find her in the bed with mimi.  Then when Lauren got older that "guilt feeling" crept in and they both wanted mommy....something about being sick gives kids a good deal of "uncertainty and fear" sort of.... hard to explain, but the household was in a pretty good uproar and state of flux for the whole first year and a half of Lauren's life and quite a bit before she was even born.

I guess I should be glad they aren't too neurotic like their mom!!!!!  :)  I have learned a lot these last 2 years and one is to be flexible in all things.  This from a Type-A personality, major control freak.  Still have my moments of control, but not nearly as bad as before.

suzi-q...your friend with the boys.... OY!!!!!  I don't think I could do boys.  I'm not sure why, we wanted a boy, but I'm so glad I have girls.

Last night wasn't too bad, I suppose...more typical than the night before last.  I guess I need to accept that this is the "norm" for the moment and maybe we can convince them that sleeping together in one of their rooms isn't so bad.  At least that's my fantasy for the moment.  Poor hubby, though.  He just gets pushed out of the bed.

PS...missed the weigh in yesterday.  I didn't realize they were only open until 2 and my grand plan was to stop there before going to get my tooth fixed.  Of course, that was after 2pm....so.... next Wednesday.  Maybe by then I can make up some lost ground from Vegas.  That's the plan, at least.