Monday, October 27, 2008

Bedtime

Sometimes I despair of ever being able to actually get into my bed and go to sleep. When it goes like it went last night.

Often as a mom I wonder, "Is this typical? Do most wives/mothers just handle these situations with more grace than myself? Or am I doing something wrong that makes life harder on myself?"

Here's how my attempt to go to bed last night went:

I wanted to go to bed at 10ish. That's usually how it starts; with expectations of normalcy.

That is indeed what time it was by the time everyone was cared for: children, husband, house, etc.

Silly me, I was craving some time to myself that had been previously unattainable until this point when finally everyone else was asleep. So I dwindled away a whole hour on a new-to-me cooking blog. In my defense, it seduced me with its beautiful photography of delicious, unheard of foods, the simple but elegant layout, and funny posts. I was in dreamy kitchen-y heaven for a blessed hour.

Glancing at the clock I realize it is 11. I snap back to reality and get myself off to bed.

I climb into bed and Paul rolls over, pats me, and says something funny in his sleep that is like a puzzle my mind thinks it has to figure out before I can go to sleep.

Frustrated, I throw back the covers, get up, and turn the stereo on as low as it will go, classical station. They are playing some annoying jazz music, not conducive to happy sleepy dreamy time. I decide it is better than nothing and get back into bed. At the end of the song they ask me to send them money. Ok, not better than nothing. I turn it off.

Finally I drift off, several minutes later. I think I got wise and started praying. Should have been my first recourse. Silly Patty.

Joshua starts crying. Exasperated, I throw back the covers. Calming before I reach him, I hold him close and bring him to bed. But, I am trying to move toward sort of night-weaning him, so I stay awake, nursing for 3-4 minutes and then taking him back to his own bed.

Now it is almost midnight. I think I finally fell asleep shortly thereafter, having tried the music once again and shut it off once again after Paul wakes up and asks what that strange noise is.

6 comments:

Monica said...

Been there, done that, sister, on all accounts. Even the "hubby saying something funny one". I understand.

Patty Arnold said...

Thanks, Monica...good to know I'm not alone!

Erin said...

Um, yes this is something that happens often. And no, I sometimes don't handle it with much grace ;)

Isaac especially had serious "mom and dad are falling asleep" radar from the time he was very small. He just knew when we would get in the dreamy starting to fall asleep stage and would wake up screaming. Good times.

Google "Dr. Jay Gordon night weaning" and you might get some good tips. Worked really well for Li last winter.

Patty Arnold said...

ooo thanks erin, i'll check it out!

Unknown said...

ooooooh! You MUST share the cooking blog that seduced you. :-)

Patty Arnold said...

it was smittenkitchen.com

you can't say i didn't warn you