Sleep, luxurious sleep
I’ve tried it before, I know it can work. I know baby can sleep all night in his crib.
The pattern was interrupted, I lacked energy to fight it, but now is the time to do it again.
He had a bottle, he had his dinner, he had a bath and another bottle, he’s ready for bed.
It’s bedtime, I tell big sister. You miss your daddy, I know. He’ll be back tomorrow.
Bedtime for all kids, little ones and big ones. Mommy wants to stay up, blogging all night.
Big sister lays in bed and reads a book, I remember how I would always do that to fall asleep too.
I lay baby brother in his crib, he’s completely sound asleep. Hurray, I pat myself on the back.
I eat dinner, I talk to Hubby, yes the kids are in bed. Their beds, I proudly pronounce.
I go online, I read and I comment. It’s great being part of this bloggy world.
I write a post, I write two. Baby’s still soundly fast asleep.
Then I can keep my eyes open no longer and I drag myself to bed.
I hear crying, I say to myself “let him cry”.
But my legs on autopilot walk towards the baby’s room.
My arms pick him up and bring him to my bed.
My tired body copes better this way.
Baby nestled next to mommy, decides he wants a snack.
Waa waa waa, he screams to get my attention.
“What’s he doing here? How did he get here?” I wonder to myself.
“Get him something to eat. I don’t want that noise” I hear a sleepy voice say.
Big sister too’s in my bed! I thought you got butted out after three years of interrupting my nights.
“Out. Back to your bed”, I snap.
I look at the time, it’s 5:30am. Baby’s still whining. Might as well get him a bottle.
I drag myself out, I mix up his formula.
On my way back, I peek in big sister’s room. She’s sitting up sulking in bed.
“Ok, you can sleep in my room”, my mouth says.
Her eyes brighten, she runs back to my bed, snuggles under the covers. What I have I done?
It’s 6am. Get ready for work. Get the kids ready. It’s another working day.
At the end of the day, too tired to keep the kids in their bed. Cycle repeats.
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Seeing how I’m sabotaging my own efforts to have my baby cry it out and sleep in his crib, I think I need the help of a sleep consultant. I didn’t even realize that sleep consultants existed until I saw the post on cool mom picks talking about Dream Team Baby. Here’s an excerpt.
They’ll come into your home and make sure you’ve got an environment that’s most conducive to promoting healthy sleep patterns, while giving you the tools and tips you need to get more shut-eye all around. The big deal fancy “Stay With Me” package even includes an overnight stay with follow-up meetings.
I need the big deal fancy “Stay With Me” package…but could I afford the consultation fees? I bet it exceeds our family’s budget for sleep consultation. We don’t have a family budget for sleep consultation.
That puts sleep in perspective - sleep, uninterrupted sleep is a luxury.
