Monkey attended her first slumber party last Friday night. It was a birthday party for one of her best friends.
Monkey arrived at the party with her toothbrush & toothpaste, her blankie, her lovie "Softie", her moon nightlight, pajamas and a clean pair of clothing. And of course a birthday present for her dear friend.
She left with a spring in her step and I left with a wrinkle in my brow, worrying that she'd be OK. See, she'd never slept over at someone else's house before without us - not even a grandparents house. Plus that night M and I were up in Rye at his company's holiday party - a good 45-60 minute drive away. You know, in case she needed us and wanted to go home.
We called to say goodnight. And my brave girl did exactly what I want her to do. She broke my heart.
I said hello and in a voice brimming with pride she said "Hi mom, I don't miss you AT ALL!"
That's my girl.
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Psych 101
During Hurricane Irene I stayed up late with cousin H to watch a movie. The next morning Jellybean got up at 6am.
Yesterday, her nap ran late so she went to bed later than usual. Thinking she would sleep in, to account for her late bedtime, I stayed up late to start painting the kitchen. And - wait for it - she got up at 6am.
I seem to recall that the definition of insanity is repeating your actions, and thinking you'll get a different result....
Yesterday, her nap ran late so she went to bed later than usual. Thinking she would sleep in, to account for her late bedtime, I stayed up late to start painting the kitchen. And - wait for it - she got up at 6am.
I seem to recall that the definition of insanity is repeating your actions, and thinking you'll get a different result....
Monday, August 16, 2010
Oh, baby my baby
Poor Jellybean is teething.
I know, she's been teething for what seems like ages. AGES.
But she's got 4 teeth (eye teeth? canines? gah, I'd be a terrible dentist) breaking through all at once. And she's miserable.
Yesterday, she picked at the gums over one tooth until she was bleeding. My beautiful little baby was wandering around the house with bloody drool, like a pre-school version of cujo. Her pale, pale skin ruddy with blood. Even the wispy blonde tendrils got a bit pink.
She's also got a cold. Of course.
She's in bed right now. She went down well. But ever 4 or 5 minutes she cries. This woeful, piteous lament of mama, mama, mama.
She's had tylenol, and an icy (frozen teether). There's not much more I can do....
It breaks my heart to hear my baby cry.
I know, she's been teething for what seems like ages. AGES.
But she's got 4 teeth (eye teeth? canines? gah, I'd be a terrible dentist) breaking through all at once. And she's miserable.
Yesterday, she picked at the gums over one tooth until she was bleeding. My beautiful little baby was wandering around the house with bloody drool, like a pre-school version of cujo. Her pale, pale skin ruddy with blood. Even the wispy blonde tendrils got a bit pink.
She's also got a cold. Of course.
She's in bed right now. She went down well. But ever 4 or 5 minutes she cries. This woeful, piteous lament of mama, mama, mama.
She's had tylenol, and an icy (frozen teether). There's not much more I can do....
It breaks my heart to hear my baby cry.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Need caffeine...brxzzzzzz gah
Our beloved cat is at the "dentist" today, getting her teeth cleaned by the vet. To accomplish this goal, she is sedated. I mean, why else would a cat willingly let you do that to her, right?
As with humans, the concern about sedation for cats is vomiting - so she wasn't allowed to have any food after midnight last night.
Since her usual routine is to bug one of us in the middle of the night for food, last night was rough.
I'm not sure precisely how she tortured M, but for a good amount of the night Ollie sat on my chest and gently patted my lips with the paw. Over, and over, and over and over andoverandoverandoever andlaskdj jfkjdvjj zzzzzzzzzzzz
Sorry, just fell asleep.
Man, I'm tired.
As with humans, the concern about sedation for cats is vomiting - so she wasn't allowed to have any food after midnight last night.
Since her usual routine is to bug one of us in the middle of the night for food, last night was rough.
I'm not sure precisely how she tortured M, but for a good amount of the night Ollie sat on my chest and gently patted my lips with the paw. Over, and over, and over and over andoverandoverandoever andlaskdj jfkjdvjj zzzzzzzzzzzz
Sorry, just fell asleep.
Man, I'm tired.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
You woke me up!
Monkey loves books. I've said it time and time again in this blog, and it is something that we (M and I) mention with great pride whenever someone asks us to describe our eldest daughter. (When asked to describe our youngest daughter, we've got different things we brag about - trust me).
The other night, as it her wont, she was "reading" to herself after one of us put her to bed. If we let her, she'd do this for hours. Sometimes she does this quietly and gets away with it, and we go back in an hour later to turn off her light only to walk in and find her still wide awake, with a book in her hands.
But most nights she is unable to contain her enthusiasm, and as she reads out loud to herself (narrating the books with stories that are either eerily identical to what we've read to her, or hysterically out of left field) the noise reverberates through the apartment. So we go in to gently remind her that, to sleep, she needs to close her eyes.
The other night, M wandered down to ask Monkey to go to sleep, and when he walked into her room found her sitting upright in bed, with a book on her lap.
She looked up and, after short intake of breath as if startled, she looked at her father and said "oh, you woke me up!"
Mmm hhm, SURE we woke her. She's a funny kid, that one.
The other night, as it her wont, she was "reading" to herself after one of us put her to bed. If we let her, she'd do this for hours. Sometimes she does this quietly and gets away with it, and we go back in an hour later to turn off her light only to walk in and find her still wide awake, with a book in her hands.
But most nights she is unable to contain her enthusiasm, and as she reads out loud to herself (narrating the books with stories that are either eerily identical to what we've read to her, or hysterically out of left field) the noise reverberates through the apartment. So we go in to gently remind her that, to sleep, she needs to close her eyes.
The other night, M wandered down to ask Monkey to go to sleep, and when he walked into her room found her sitting upright in bed, with a book on her lap.
She looked up and, after short intake of breath as if startled, she looked at her father and said "oh, you woke me up!"
Mmm hhm, SURE we woke her. She's a funny kid, that one.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Back in the saddle again
I had no idea what it would be like, going back to work with two kids. It wasn't quite what I expected - it wasn't as hard, or as easy, as I thought it would be.
A few vignettes from the past week:
Monday at work was rough. I had been up 6 times the night before as Jellybean, a rambunctious Ollie cat, and snoring husband all came together in a perfect storm of wakefulness. And, of course, I was anxious about returning to work so I wasn't sleeping all that well in the first place, you know? But I got through the day and didn't drool on myself. However, I did wear my underwear backwards. I was so tired that when I finally noticed, I decided the hell with it - and left them the way they were. (and NO they were not thong underwear - I was tired, not numb!)
Monday night I came home to a scene of domestic contentment. Jellybean was asleep on her nanny's ample chest. Her pink cheeks were rosy, and her eyelids were flickering as she dreamed. And, when I picked her up to give her a snuggle an arrow of jealousy shot through my heart: I was jealous/mad that she smelled like the nanny. She should smell like me, her mommy! (and for the record, her nanny was wearing some sort of a light floral perfume, lovely really, just not my perfume....). The jealousy was irrational, but powerful. Funny how strong an emotional trigger scent can be....
There are more stories. Including how we decided to start potty training Monkey last Monday. You know, like why not just throw a monkey wrench (ha!) into the works....but they will wait, as now I need to feed Jellybean and stare at her beautiful face.
A few vignettes from the past week:
Monday at work was rough. I had been up 6 times the night before as Jellybean, a rambunctious Ollie cat, and snoring husband all came together in a perfect storm of wakefulness. And, of course, I was anxious about returning to work so I wasn't sleeping all that well in the first place, you know? But I got through the day and didn't drool on myself. However, I did wear my underwear backwards. I was so tired that when I finally noticed, I decided the hell with it - and left them the way they were. (and NO they were not thong underwear - I was tired, not numb!)
Monday night I came home to a scene of domestic contentment. Jellybean was asleep on her nanny's ample chest. Her pink cheeks were rosy, and her eyelids were flickering as she dreamed. And, when I picked her up to give her a snuggle an arrow of jealousy shot through my heart: I was jealous/mad that she smelled like the nanny. She should smell like me, her mommy! (and for the record, her nanny was wearing some sort of a light floral perfume, lovely really, just not my perfume....). The jealousy was irrational, but powerful. Funny how strong an emotional trigger scent can be....
There are more stories. Including how we decided to start potty training Monkey last Monday. You know, like why not just throw a monkey wrench (ha!) into the works....but they will wait, as now I need to feed Jellybean and stare at her beautiful face.
Monday, March 2, 2009
SNOW DAY
WHEEE!!!!!!! It is Monkey's first snow day - ever! School got cancelled. The streets are clogged with snow, not cars. People are wandering about with goofy grins on their faces. And there is a TON of beautiful snow on the ground. Ahhh, about time.
Last night was a rough night. Monkey woke up crying, came into our room and promptly vomited on our carpet. Poor thing. She slept with bucket in her bed but other than that bout of vomiting she had a good night. She even asked me to snuggle with her to make her feel better as she drifted off to sleep. Yes I know this was her being a wee bit manipulative....but who can say no to a lovely request like that after a 2am bout of vomiting? Really, you'd have to be heartless to not give in!
This morning we snuggled, read books, did puzzles, watched Shaun the Sheep (by the Wallace and Grommit folks), and then when she started to perk up - we went out to play in the snow!
Awesome. We jumped in the snow, threw it around, played archeologist and uncovered items to see what they were....
and we learned NOT to eat yellow snow. eeesh.
Jellybean, true to her mellow nature, slept through our outside adventure and has been talking to her sister all morning long. I swear to g*d she likes the company!
Last night was a rough night. Monkey woke up crying, came into our room and promptly vomited on our carpet. Poor thing. She slept with bucket in her bed but other than that bout of vomiting she had a good night. She even asked me to snuggle with her to make her feel better as she drifted off to sleep. Yes I know this was her being a wee bit manipulative....but who can say no to a lovely request like that after a 2am bout of vomiting? Really, you'd have to be heartless to not give in!
This morning we snuggled, read books, did puzzles, watched Shaun the Sheep (by the Wallace and Grommit folks), and then when she started to perk up - we went out to play in the snow!
Awesome. We jumped in the snow, threw it around, played archeologist and uncovered items to see what they were....
and we learned NOT to eat yellow snow. eeesh.
Jellybean, true to her mellow nature, slept through our outside adventure and has been talking to her sister all morning long. I swear to g*d she likes the company!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Raw
These days my emotions are a little bit closer to the surface than usual. I noticed this after Monkey was born, too. No, not post partum or even the baby blues - my skin is just a little bit thinner than usual. I feel more sadness AND joy.
I find it harder to watch news about sick kids or lost puppies. When I"m nursing Jellybean often I'll catch a few minutes of daytime tv....and if the show has a lost, sick or dead child - I can NOT watch it. It makes me too sad. I remember after Monkey was born I was taking one of my first walks with her around the neighborhood, and when I walked past the homeless guy that "resides" on a nearby corner...I cried. All I could think was that he was someone's baby, too - someone's baby was sleeping on the street, dirty and hungry.
Some of it has to do with being tired from lack of sleep, But it is more than that. It is way more than that. It is about being close to the miracle of life. Watching my infant daughter breathe, in and out, in and out, makes my heart swell with love and wonderment. Listening to the joy in my insane toddler's voice when she yells "daddy's home!" and grins ear to ear makes me grateful to be alive.
When I was pregnant with Monkey, my father kept talking about the "miracle of life." I kind of wrote that off as something people say. And, truth be told, I was suffering from a bad attitude because I really don't like to be pregnant.
But the thing is? My dad was right. It really is a miracle.
I find it harder to watch news about sick kids or lost puppies. When I"m nursing Jellybean often I'll catch a few minutes of daytime tv....and if the show has a lost, sick or dead child - I can NOT watch it. It makes me too sad. I remember after Monkey was born I was taking one of my first walks with her around the neighborhood, and when I walked past the homeless guy that "resides" on a nearby corner...I cried. All I could think was that he was someone's baby, too - someone's baby was sleeping on the street, dirty and hungry.
Some of it has to do with being tired from lack of sleep, But it is more than that. It is way more than that. It is about being close to the miracle of life. Watching my infant daughter breathe, in and out, in and out, makes my heart swell with love and wonderment. Listening to the joy in my insane toddler's voice when she yells "daddy's home!" and grins ear to ear makes me grateful to be alive.
When I was pregnant with Monkey, my father kept talking about the "miracle of life." I kind of wrote that off as something people say. And, truth be told, I was suffering from a bad attitude because I really don't like to be pregnant.
But the thing is? My dad was right. It really is a miracle.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Stay at home moms & dads, I salute you
Yesterday was MLK day, so Monkey's school was closed. M had to go to work, so I was home with the two girls all day long. And, since Jellybean is still not allowed into crowds....we spent the entire day in the apartment. We did not leave. We did NOT get to go out and play in the gorgeous snow. We DID get cabin fever.
But, we also had a lot of fun.
The morning was spent making cupcakes. Now, more batter ended up on the floor, the walls, and in Monkey's stomach than in the cupcake pans...but it was a success.
Then, naptime! And that wasn't a success. Monkey managed to spend over two hours in her room before she closed her eyes and finally, finally fell asleep. She was channeling the Beastie Boys.....you know, NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN and YOU GOTTA FIGHT, FOR THE RIGHT, To PARTY.....................trust me.
But eventually she slept.
And then, post-nap, her friend Daniel came over. Now, Daniel is Monkey's oldest friend. We met his parents in our birthing class. And Daniel is a lovely, well mannered and enjoyable kid. (His parents are awesome, too).
Daniel and Monkey shrieked and giggled and tore the apartment apart.....forts were built, cupcakes were consumed, and everyone had a blast.
M came home from soccor last night and put me to bed. I didn't get to nap with all the chaos and caring for both Monkey and Jellybean (during the brief time that Monkey slept, Jellybean ate....so no nap) so I was beyond tired. But this was an honest tired.
I was exhausted from having so much fun. And boy, am I impressed at all the parents and caregivers that are at home all the time. You guys work HARD!
But, we also had a lot of fun.
The morning was spent making cupcakes. Now, more batter ended up on the floor, the walls, and in Monkey's stomach than in the cupcake pans...but it was a success.
Then, naptime! And that wasn't a success. Monkey managed to spend over two hours in her room before she closed her eyes and finally, finally fell asleep. She was channeling the Beastie Boys.....you know, NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN and YOU GOTTA FIGHT, FOR THE RIGHT, To PARTY.....................trust me.
But eventually she slept.
And then, post-nap, her friend Daniel came over. Now, Daniel is Monkey's oldest friend. We met his parents in our birthing class. And Daniel is a lovely, well mannered and enjoyable kid. (His parents are awesome, too).
Daniel and Monkey shrieked and giggled and tore the apartment apart.....forts were built, cupcakes were consumed, and everyone had a blast.
M came home from soccor last night and put me to bed. I didn't get to nap with all the chaos and caring for both Monkey and Jellybean (during the brief time that Monkey slept, Jellybean ate....so no nap) so I was beyond tired. But this was an honest tired.
I was exhausted from having so much fun. And boy, am I impressed at all the parents and caregivers that are at home all the time. You guys work HARD!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Odds and Ends
So my days are filled with laughter and joy these days. Yes, there are days that I am so exhausted I can't even stand myself. And M struggles with exhaustion too. But overall, I just can not believe how lucky we are to have these two perfect little girls.
The days, they run together. Sometimes I even forget to shower. But there are things that stick out in my memory and make me giggle. So here are a few of them....
Out of the mouth of babes:
I was trying to burp Jellybean. When Monkey asked me what I was doing, upon hearing my explanation she said "oh, daddy burps!" and I about fell over laughing. M looked askance as if to say, who me? Busted!
More than I needed to know:
I was giving Monkey a bath tonight. She leaned forward, grimaced a little, and let forth a sally of farts that would make any guy proud. Then, in case I missed it? She said "I farted"....Good lord, why did I ever teach her that word?
It isn't you, it's me:
I was nursing Jellybean on the couch (a loveseat, really, not too big), using the boppy pillow (which takes up a good amount of space) when Monkey walked up to me and announced "I need more space mommy".......I had a momentary flashback to at least one unfortunate breakup in my past and started laughing....Monkey was not pleased. She was trying to sit next to me and the boppy was taking up too much room.
She is SO going to Madison, WI for College:
Jellybean is a grade-A burper. I mean this girl can give any beer belching Badger a run for the money! She is SO going to my alma mater....I can just tell already. All she needs to do is learn how to shotgun a beer and she's a lock. None of this namby pamby N'Western stuff.... heh. (yes, M's alma mater...why else would I slam it? he he he )
I thought you were supposed to practice this on a pillow:
I was putting Monkey to bed the other night, and she requested something that wasn't in the room. When I returned with the desired item I found her still in bed, with a book in her hands.....and she was KISSING it! I mean, I know she loves books, but that takes the cake. Stinking cute. And hilarious. Some day she'll be kissing boys, but until then, books are her love. I remember getting threatened with grounding if I was caught reading in bed past my bedtime....so she comes by this naturally. I love it.
Off to tend to my girls. G'night all.
The days, they run together. Sometimes I even forget to shower. But there are things that stick out in my memory and make me giggle. So here are a few of them....
Out of the mouth of babes:
I was trying to burp Jellybean. When Monkey asked me what I was doing, upon hearing my explanation she said "oh, daddy burps!" and I about fell over laughing. M looked askance as if to say, who me? Busted!
More than I needed to know:
I was giving Monkey a bath tonight. She leaned forward, grimaced a little, and let forth a sally of farts that would make any guy proud. Then, in case I missed it? She said "I farted"....Good lord, why did I ever teach her that word?
It isn't you, it's me:
I was nursing Jellybean on the couch (a loveseat, really, not too big), using the boppy pillow (which takes up a good amount of space) when Monkey walked up to me and announced "I need more space mommy".......I had a momentary flashback to at least one unfortunate breakup in my past and started laughing....Monkey was not pleased. She was trying to sit next to me and the boppy was taking up too much room.
She is SO going to Madison, WI for College:
Jellybean is a grade-A burper. I mean this girl can give any beer belching Badger a run for the money! She is SO going to my alma mater....I can just tell already. All she needs to do is learn how to shotgun a beer and she's a lock. None of this namby pamby N'Western stuff.... heh. (yes, M's alma mater...why else would I slam it? he he he )
I thought you were supposed to practice this on a pillow:
I was putting Monkey to bed the other night, and she requested something that wasn't in the room. When I returned with the desired item I found her still in bed, with a book in her hands.....and she was KISSING it! I mean, I know she loves books, but that takes the cake. Stinking cute. And hilarious. Some day she'll be kissing boys, but until then, books are her love. I remember getting threatened with grounding if I was caught reading in bed past my bedtime....so she comes by this naturally. I love it.
Off to tend to my girls. G'night all.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sleep, blessed sleep
So after taunting the gods, M was a little bit tired last night.
So tired that the first thing he said to me this morning was "I am SO SORRY I didn't get up with you last night. I was just....asleep."
The "I was just...asleep" part is what cracks me up. So eloquent. So true. So....damn obvious last night as he was snoring to high heaven! (we're lucky we still have paint on the walls....)
Dude, knock on wood next time!
So tired that the first thing he said to me this morning was "I am SO SORRY I didn't get up with you last night. I was just....asleep."
The "I was just...asleep" part is what cracks me up. So eloquent. So true. So....damn obvious last night as he was snoring to high heaven! (we're lucky we still have paint on the walls....)
Dude, knock on wood next time!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tempting the gods, or, he'll never say THAT again
So this weekend was a bit of a repeat of last weekend:
1) We had a sick daughter and visited the pediatrician. Copious amounts of ibuprofin were consumed.
2) We had a sick cat and visited the veterinarian. Copious amounts of 409 cleaner were used to wipe up cat vomit.
3) Aaaaaaannnnnddd........we didn't get that much sleep. Understatement. HUGE understatement.
M got less sleep than me, because in a fit of absolute generosity he let me sleep in on Sunday AND take a nap. Which greatly helped alleviate the exhaustion I was suffering from being 1) 8.5 months pregnant and 2) getting the crappiest nights of sleep I've had in ages, compliments of crying child and puking cat. (See #1 & #2, above, for details.)
Now, my brain is pretty much addled today because I've been up since 4:30am (see #1, above). But I am pretty sure that sometime this weekend, M commented to me that's he's getting used to this no-sleep business. You know, like it's no big deal. And then, right on cue, we had some of the crappiest nights of sleep in ages.
WOE. We should NOT be tempting the gods like that. I'm betting that right about now, as the afternoon wears on and on and the sky gets dark, that M is really wishing he'd bitten his tongue. Or knocked on wood. You know, something, ANYTHING!, to rebut his nonchalant statement that he could handle no sleep.
1) We had a sick daughter and visited the pediatrician. Copious amounts of ibuprofin were consumed.
2) We had a sick cat and visited the veterinarian. Copious amounts of 409 cleaner were used to wipe up cat vomit.
3) Aaaaaaannnnnddd........we didn't get that much sleep. Understatement. HUGE understatement.
M got less sleep than me, because in a fit of absolute generosity he let me sleep in on Sunday AND take a nap. Which greatly helped alleviate the exhaustion I was suffering from being 1) 8.5 months pregnant and 2) getting the crappiest nights of sleep I've had in ages, compliments of crying child and puking cat. (See #1 & #2, above, for details.)
Now, my brain is pretty much addled today because I've been up since 4:30am (see #1, above). But I am pretty sure that sometime this weekend, M commented to me that's he's getting used to this no-sleep business. You know, like it's no big deal. And then, right on cue, we had some of the crappiest nights of sleep in ages.
WOE. We should NOT be tempting the gods like that. I'm betting that right about now, as the afternoon wears on and on and the sky gets dark, that M is really wishing he'd bitten his tongue. Or knocked on wood. You know, something, ANYTHING!, to rebut his nonchalant statement that he could handle no sleep.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Here we go again
I feel like we should put the pediatrician on speed dial.
It is 4am and I am wide awake after settling Monkey back down. She has been alternating between awesome, cranky and listless the last two days - but no fever - so we've just chalked it up to being two.
But tonight as she went to bed she complained that her ears hurt.
Poor little girl. She had some ibuprofin around 9pm as we were trying to settle her down for the night, and sure enough, 6 hours later when the meds wore off she woke up crying. Tylenol this round. Doctors office in the morning.
Meanwhile, Ollie has spent the greater part of the last two days puking first hair balls and then just bile.
And I am awake. Wishing I could make all my creatures feel better.
As soon as my tylenol eases my headache I'll crawl back into bed.
Dawn breaks early in the swamp. See you all in two hours.........
It is 4am and I am wide awake after settling Monkey back down. She has been alternating between awesome, cranky and listless the last two days - but no fever - so we've just chalked it up to being two.
But tonight as she went to bed she complained that her ears hurt.
Poor little girl. She had some ibuprofin around 9pm as we were trying to settle her down for the night, and sure enough, 6 hours later when the meds wore off she woke up crying. Tylenol this round. Doctors office in the morning.
Meanwhile, Ollie has spent the greater part of the last two days puking first hair balls and then just bile.
And I am awake. Wishing I could make all my creatures feel better.
As soon as my tylenol eases my headache I'll crawl back into bed.
Dawn breaks early in the swamp. See you all in two hours.........
Thursday, November 13, 2008
My life in text messages...
(late last night):
Txt to Heather: She won't lay down and is sitting in bed reading to herself....it's been an hour. G#d help me she is going to be the death of me.
(early this morning):
Txt to Heather: She slept!!!! 1030 to 540am!!!!!
Txt from Heather: Congrats!!
Txt from Heather: And...Ollie?
Txt to Heather: Ollie was good too!!!
Txt from Heather: So I guess no ebay today.
Txt to Heather: Nope. Ask again tomorrow.
Txt to Heather: She won't lay down and is sitting in bed reading to herself....it's been an hour. G#d help me she is going to be the death of me.
(early this morning):
Txt to Heather: She slept!!!! 1030 to 540am!!!!!
Txt from Heather: Congrats!!
Txt from Heather: And...Ollie?
Txt to Heather: Ollie was good too!!!
Txt from Heather: So I guess no ebay today.
Txt to Heather: Nope. Ask again tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Invitation to my pity party?
I am 34 weeks pregnant and in addition to general intestinal misery, my body hurts. Sleep is elusive, even when I am in bed.
My cat keeps taking dumps on the floor of the bathroom in the middle of the night.
M, my beloved husband, is on the other side of the world (Geneva, Switzerland).
Monkey now has croup. After steaming her, I sat in her room and listened to her breath for a few hours last night. You know, to make sure she COULD breath. Croup is spooky in the middle of the night.
I am extraordinarily busy at work.
I just want to not be me right now.
You bring the cheese, I'll bring the whine............
My cat keeps taking dumps on the floor of the bathroom in the middle of the night.
M, my beloved husband, is on the other side of the world (Geneva, Switzerland).
Monkey now has croup. After steaming her, I sat in her room and listened to her breath for a few hours last night. You know, to make sure she COULD breath. Croup is spooky in the middle of the night.
I am extraordinarily busy at work.
I just want to not be me right now.
You bring the cheese, I'll bring the whine............
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Cat (gently used) 4 Sale - CHEAP!
So, the adventure continues. Monkey woke at 4am. But (thank G*D I'm getting better at this middle of the night crap...just in time for #2) I got her to sleep and was back in bed by 4:45am. SUCESSS! I ROCK!!!
Yeah. Until some 20 odd minutes later when I was woken out of what was promising to become a deep slumber by my CAT. YOWLING. In that exact same high pitch that sounds like Monkey keening.....so of course I bolted straight up, convinced she was awake again. Pulse racing, I verified that Monkey was still sleeping and went back to bed.
Heartburn. OK, up for some medicine and a glass of milk. Feed the cat and return to bed yet again. It is now 5:25am.
Lay awake for a few minutes.....and then smell something suspiciously similar to cat shit wafting through the air...but hear nothing, no litter being scratched. Get up to investigate and voila! Cat shit on the bathmat. Why? No clue - the f'ing litter box is right there, clean, and Ollie has been fed.
I fume. I put on gloves to clean the mess up (since - OH YES, it IS so - M is out of town) and officially give up on sleeping.
Check email and learn M landed in Geneva safely. Reply with growly email about wanting to sell cat to the gypsies. Consider posting an add on Craig's List for gently used cat.
5:45am. Hop in shower and pray Monkey won't wake up while I'm in there. Take the world's fastest shower and pop out to.....silence.
Creep around the apartment. Verify that child and cat and now both sleeping, blissful and adorable in their repose.
It's a damn good thing, too, or the gypsies would totally be raking it in this week...
Yeah. Until some 20 odd minutes later when I was woken out of what was promising to become a deep slumber by my CAT. YOWLING. In that exact same high pitch that sounds like Monkey keening.....so of course I bolted straight up, convinced she was awake again. Pulse racing, I verified that Monkey was still sleeping and went back to bed.
Heartburn. OK, up for some medicine and a glass of milk. Feed the cat and return to bed yet again. It is now 5:25am.
Lay awake for a few minutes.....and then smell something suspiciously similar to cat shit wafting through the air...but hear nothing, no litter being scratched. Get up to investigate and voila! Cat shit on the bathmat. Why? No clue - the f'ing litter box is right there, clean, and Ollie has been fed.
I fume. I put on gloves to clean the mess up (since - OH YES, it IS so - M is out of town) and officially give up on sleeping.
Check email and learn M landed in Geneva safely. Reply with growly email about wanting to sell cat to the gypsies. Consider posting an add on Craig's List for gently used cat.
5:45am. Hop in shower and pray Monkey won't wake up while I'm in there. Take the world's fastest shower and pop out to.....silence.
Creep around the apartment. Verify that child and cat and now both sleeping, blissful and adorable in their repose.
It's a damn good thing, too, or the gypsies would totally be raking it in this week...
Monday, November 10, 2008
The four horses of the apocalypse
I could hear their hoofs drumming down the hallway last night. You know, between the hours of 2am and 4:30am when Monkey was WIDE AWAKE and throwing a tantrum instead of self-soothing and going back to bed.
Either that, or it was my pulse throbbing behind my eyeballs as I was simultaneously exasperated, sympathetic, generally pissed off AND exhausted. Sure sounded like horses to me....
Of course, true to form she woke up in a spectacular mood. Charming, cheerful, happy to see us, and a complete and utter pleasure to be around. She even begged for an extra goodbye kiss from her Daddy.
Shoot, just as I was planning on selling her to the gypsies....
Either that, or it was my pulse throbbing behind my eyeballs as I was simultaneously exasperated, sympathetic, generally pissed off AND exhausted. Sure sounded like horses to me....
Of course, true to form she woke up in a spectacular mood. Charming, cheerful, happy to see us, and a complete and utter pleasure to be around. She even begged for an extra goodbye kiss from her Daddy.
Shoot, just as I was planning on selling her to the gypsies....
Friday, November 7, 2008
Must....get....sleep
So, the whole Big Girl Bed experiment continues.
Sleep has become a hit or miss experience recently....
We have had some success.
We've had some failures.
Today started at 3:30am. Monkey woke up. Got worked up. Begged for Mommy. Begged for Daddy. Whined for bread and jam. Whinged for the DVD "Ice Age." Devolved into the most spectacular tantrum I've ever seen her throw. And then ended up sleeping, blissfully, in my lap, from 5:15am to 6:45am.
M did not sleep. I slept a wee bit, when she was in my lap. As much as I could considering I had 50 lbs of baby pressing down on my (full) bladder. I'm sure Jellybean appreciated the company but DUDE WE ARE SO F'ING TIRED NOW.........
So tired, in fact, that this morning M managed to put on a black belt and brown shoes. I know, I know.........the world stopped spinning and went backwards there for a moment. He would NEVER do that in real life.
Sleep has become a hit or miss experience recently....
We have had some success.
We've had some failures.
Today started at 3:30am. Monkey woke up. Got worked up. Begged for Mommy. Begged for Daddy. Whined for bread and jam. Whinged for the DVD "Ice Age." Devolved into the most spectacular tantrum I've ever seen her throw. And then ended up sleeping, blissfully, in my lap, from 5:15am to 6:45am.
M did not sleep. I slept a wee bit, when she was in my lap. As much as I could considering I had 50 lbs of baby pressing down on my (full) bladder. I'm sure Jellybean appreciated the company but DUDE WE ARE SO F'ING TIRED NOW.........
So tired, in fact, that this morning M managed to put on a black belt and brown shoes. I know, I know.........the world stopped spinning and went backwards there for a moment. He would NEVER do that in real life.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Hmm, wow - where to start
Yikes. So much to post in a few short days!
1) Monkey is not a fan of daylight savings and insists on waking up at 5:30am. Oy.
2) Monkey is a rock star (and, she'll actually say that to you - it's freakin' hilarious!) and moved into the Big Girl Bed in the Big Girl Room (capitalization on purpose!). The crib and nursery are no longer in use. Except to hold the boxes of stuff that belong to Jellybean.
3) Now that Monkey is in the Big Girl Bed, naps are a wee bit unstructured. (Oh, I know this because her school was closed on Election Day for parent-teacher conferences). And by unstructured I mean that I was in there with her for - hmmmm - oh AN HOUR AND A HALF convincing her to be quiet. Because the ability to gather MORE BOOKS was damn-near frying her brain from the excitement. Exhaustion finally over took her and she fell asleep with 17 books in her Bed with her. I know this because I counted them. And, while this is so ridiculous it is sublime, I confess that I kind of find it adorable. I love books that much, too. What can I say, she's my kid!
4) And, on the topic of being my kid.....I am no longer numero uno in her world. Daddy is. She's hurt? She asks for daddy. She's mad at me? She asks for daddy. She wakes up cranky (see #1, above) and needs a little love before the day starts? Yup, she wants her daddy. And every time she pushes me away and yowls for daddy? My heart melts a little bit. My time away in Denver really re-uppped their bond. And to quote Martha, "it's a good thing."
5) Now, to quote my beloved little brother? "Nicely done America!" I am proud to say that I am still wearing my Obama '08 button. I don't know that I want to take it off. And if you want to know why M and I got no sleep election night? Check out this link - between the students cheering, the media heliocopters filming the celebration in Harlem, and the impromptu parade down our block at 12:30am, we got no sleep. And it was worth it!
1) Monkey is not a fan of daylight savings and insists on waking up at 5:30am. Oy.
2) Monkey is a rock star (and, she'll actually say that to you - it's freakin' hilarious!) and moved into the Big Girl Bed in the Big Girl Room (capitalization on purpose!). The crib and nursery are no longer in use. Except to hold the boxes of stuff that belong to Jellybean.
3) Now that Monkey is in the Big Girl Bed, naps are a wee bit unstructured. (Oh, I know this because her school was closed on Election Day for parent-teacher conferences). And by unstructured I mean that I was in there with her for - hmmmm - oh AN HOUR AND A HALF convincing her to be quiet. Because the ability to gather MORE BOOKS was damn-near frying her brain from the excitement. Exhaustion finally over took her and she fell asleep with 17 books in her Bed with her. I know this because I counted them. And, while this is so ridiculous it is sublime, I confess that I kind of find it adorable. I love books that much, too. What can I say, she's my kid!
4) And, on the topic of being my kid.....I am no longer numero uno in her world. Daddy is. She's hurt? She asks for daddy. She's mad at me? She asks for daddy. She wakes up cranky (see #1, above) and needs a little love before the day starts? Yup, she wants her daddy. And every time she pushes me away and yowls for daddy? My heart melts a little bit. My time away in Denver really re-uppped their bond. And to quote Martha, "it's a good thing."
5) Now, to quote my beloved little brother? "Nicely done America!" I am proud to say that I am still wearing my Obama '08 button. I don't know that I want to take it off. And if you want to know why M and I got no sleep election night? Check out this link - between the students cheering, the media heliocopters filming the celebration in Harlem, and the impromptu parade down our block at 12:30am, we got no sleep. And it was worth it!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Five, Six, Seven, Eight, we won't nap or sleep in late!
Ugh. I was going to call this post "A death in the family" but thought that might startle readers.....because it's the death of the nap, the beloved beloved DEEPLY NEEDED nap. Not a human. Although it might be the death of me. Heh.
That's right. Monkey is on a nap strike. Commence wailing and gnashing of teeth and demonstrations of anguish and desolation.
On both Saturday and Sunday, the only way I could get her to go down for a nap was to hold her in my lap until she was asleep, and then gently lower her into the crib. I'm surprised that my legs are still attached; both times I stood up and almost keeled over, having lost all feeling in the leg that was under Monkey. Only the the unpleasant pins-and-needles sensation of blood reanimating my leg let me know it was still there.
Then, the nap strike bled into bedtime. Saturday night did not go well. She stood in her crib and screamed bloody murder. Last night was worse. We started the process at 8pm and THREE HOURS LATER she fell asleep. At least I think it was 11pm. It may have actually been later. I don't know. I should have been asleep at 9pm myself, so forgive me for being a wee bit tired. M was beyond exhausted, but managed to sweet talk Monkey into staying in her crib while he read to her from the chair. And she fell asleep.
I think our neighbors hate us; during that three hour period I think she may have screamed for an hour or two. Straight.
We figured she'd sleep in this morning, only to be summoned at 5:50am.(Daylight savings is not our friend.)
Here's hoping that this is a phase. A brattalicious hellacious phase. Please?
That's right. Monkey is on a nap strike. Commence wailing and gnashing of teeth and demonstrations of anguish and desolation.
On both Saturday and Sunday, the only way I could get her to go down for a nap was to hold her in my lap until she was asleep, and then gently lower her into the crib. I'm surprised that my legs are still attached; both times I stood up and almost keeled over, having lost all feeling in the leg that was under Monkey. Only the the unpleasant pins-and-needles sensation of blood reanimating my leg let me know it was still there.
Then, the nap strike bled into bedtime. Saturday night did not go well. She stood in her crib and screamed bloody murder. Last night was worse. We started the process at 8pm and THREE HOURS LATER she fell asleep. At least I think it was 11pm. It may have actually been later. I don't know. I should have been asleep at 9pm myself, so forgive me for being a wee bit tired. M was beyond exhausted, but managed to sweet talk Monkey into staying in her crib while he read to her from the chair. And she fell asleep.
I think our neighbors hate us; during that three hour period I think she may have screamed for an hour or two. Straight.
We figured she'd sleep in this morning, only to be summoned at 5:50am.(Daylight savings is not our friend.)
Here's hoping that this is a phase. A brattalicious hellacious phase. Please?
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