Milestone Coming?

I remember when Hayley was a baby, whenever she wasn't sleeping we would chalk it up to her approaching some milestone. I read in many different articles that when babies and children have milestones coming up that their brains can't shut off and they experience sleep disturbances.

I can't say that I still really believe that, as Hayley just generally doesn't sleep well and hasn't since about a month before Sam was born.

But I would like to believe that it really is true, as Sam has had some very bad nights of sleep these last few nights and it appears that she is going to roll over any day.

I would just like to know what the deal is with Hayley. I mean, seriously. NO. SERIOUSLY.

She was up at 4:45 this morning. For the day. I am exhausted. I am beyond exhausted. Neither of my children sleep and now that I am back to work I am just on the threshold of breaking. My patience is not worn thin, it is transparent. I feel like crying all the time. I am afraid that I am going to snap at someone other than my immediate family. I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of complaining about how tired I am. You are tired of hearing about it.

Originally when I started to compose this post it was mostly curse words. I cleaned it up because while I occasionally enjoy using curse words I don't really enjoy reading them unless they are used in moderation and only for emphasis. (Well really, aren't all curse words used for emphasis?) But still, I decided to tone it down.

I have several other friends with newborns too. We are all tired. It's the nature of the beast. I know, I know. I just wonder, I waited to have my children until later in life specifically because I wanted to have more patience. I don't necessarily think that I am more patient, in fact I wonder if I am less patient and that makes me feel bad too. I wonder what I have done to deserve not one but two children that can apparently live on "quick recharge" mode. They need like one third of the sleep that most other children need and can still function at full capacity.

Believe me when I say, I will definitely repay them this kindness when they are sixteen and want to sleep until noon. I will be scheduling ortho appointments at 8am on Saturdays and vacuuming their rooms at 7am on Sundays. Before church.

Comments

[Megan]

YOu know what they say....payback is a B*tch. I love the scheduling sSaturday appointments at 8 am! That is so being added to my list of paybacks! What we do for our kids...on in some cases - don't do/get!

Hang in there. I can promise you this......everything in child rearing is a temporary state! It sure doesn't feel like it when you are living it...but this too will pass. Just as the diapers, formula, pacifiers, baby rattles all do....the sleep deprivation will pass!

Sounds like you need a good date night out and a good set of earplugs! One good night sleep will revive you my friend! I wish I lived closer...I would give you that night off you oh so deserve! Fly here and I will take your girls for one night (up all nigt and all) so you can sleep!!!!

Hang in there!!!!! I feel for you Jenn!

[Mrs M]

Awe Jenn - Don't know what to say honey. If things are so bad then maybe it's time for some help. Do you have Child Health visitors over there? We have them here and they are so good with these kinds of problems. I'm assuming you have blackout blinds, very dull night light, good supper before bed etc.. One of the things that knocks my eldest off is when she is hungry. If she's not eaten much in the day she is always up around 3am and usually because she is hungry.
We have a very strict bedtime routine and thank goodness now have established sleep patterns that I can survive on. I don't usually like Gina Ford, but she has some good sleep training tips and if you are prepared to get tough there's a good chance they will work.
However, Like Megan stated, this is temporary and no matter how hard it is you will get through it - honestly. I can see a plane ride to England for Hayley and R&R for Mummy x

[Tanisha]

I'm so sorry, sleep stuff is beyond tough! Just started reading your blog, so not sure how old your little ones are, but we did sleep training at 6 months for our son (he wouldn't nap OR sleep at night and we were at our wits end). It wasn't cry it out- you get to stay to support the little one. He slept through the night on the third night and the longest he ever cried was 24 minutes (and it wasn't that horrible sobbing). We used cheekychops.ca and I've recommended Dawnn to friends all over the US and Canada. If you are desperate....