Not the best day in the world
So last night pretty much was overall miserable. I think if you added it all up I may have gotten 3-4 hours of sleep. Certainly not consecutive. I don't know what Ellis's problem was. Nothing worked. I tried teething tablets, a drink, a diaper change, rocking, baby Tylenol, lying down with him, more rocking, screaming (him), more milk, more rocking. NOTHING!!! Finally around 6.45 am he fell asleep; exhausted, I slumped into my bed. Just as I was getting to that place of sleep, he started crying again. Grrr. Somehow in my utterly exhausted, foggy state of mind I came up with an idea that seemed perfectly okay at the time. A hot toddy. The ancestors told me to do it. I made another milk bottle and popped a few drops of Kahlua in it. He guzzled about half of it. And then we slept for two hours. I dreamed of screaming babies and how I was going to explain to Chris that I put Kahlua in the baby's bottle.
The sleeping thing is still a challenge. I will say that he does sleep through the night every one per two or three nights. So it's actually a reality at this point. The next stage in the battle towards rest is getting these nights to become more frequent. And he sleeps in his own bed. We were sort of co-sleeping for half of the night until 12 months when he would wake up and realize that he was in bed with his two favorite playmates ever. Uh...yea. That was the end of that. *honey! Get the baby off my head!*
I was supposed to get good work done on my thesis this morning while Chris took Ellis to PSD, but between exhaustion and printer woes that didn't happen.
Then we got some disappointing news. Over a month ago a company (to whom he had submitted a resume months ago) had contacted Chris about an opening. Then he had like a bazillion interviews with every one short of the cleaning lady. It seemed like they wanted him, and then it didn't work out. So we've been going along for over a month. Hoping. Starting to dream We Can Afford Groceries dreams. And then, nope. So back to Plan A that involves UPS and Starbucks and a hundred bazillion hours and a crazy whacked out schedule and no family routine and no sleep 'til Brooklyn. And resting in the knowledge that He who sees the sparrow is also caring for us.
But there were happy things today, too. For one, I got a haircut. Yay! FINALLY! My nice friend watched Ellis, gave me a hug, and sent me home with dinner.
So anyway. I haven't written much about Real Life Stress, but that's a glimpse into the background story of my other life, when I'm not writing a thesis, taking care of Ellis, including the deaf aspects (e.g. learning ASL, dr's appts, school stuff), and moving towards a new grad school application.
Comments
So so sorry about the job. That stinks. Joel didn't get his #1 choice either. But God will give you all the desires of your heart. Believe it!
As far as sleeping for E. Have you tried at all to let him fuss it out? I hate hearing my child cry, but I also know they will not remember crying for 30 minutes and white noise makers are wonderful things. I know you've heard this before and I'm telling you to do it, but I only did it when I was absolutely desperate for sleep. I feel like if I get no sleep I will be mean and impatient the next day and that's not fair to them either. Some swear by co-sleeping, but I found after a certain age everyone needs their own bed. My kids it was 6 months. Some nights are just rough. I had a few barfing nights this past month. Ewwww, that's no fun to wake up to. Basically I realize now why my parents get up so early, like 5am, because my brother and I trained them to!
Posted by: katiek | November 16, 2006 09:31 AM
Comments
On days like that my mother has a creed that she recites to herself. I don't remember the whole of it, but the beginning goes something like this:
I believe in a Sovereign God who created me, redeemed me, and comforts me.
Take heart, my friend.
Posted by: sarah in dc | November 16, 2006 09:33 AM
Comments
Please Jeannette, no alchohol.
Alcohol causes more damage to the baby's brain than any other substance (Institute of Medicine Report to Congress). The reason for this is the specific size and shape of the alcohol molecule, which fits into the brain's receptor cells like a key into a lock.
The alcohol molecule is small and passes easily into the baby's blood stream and that the baby has a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) within minutes.
The ancestors didn't know better. All credible sources (March of Dimes, NOFAS, American Academy of Pediatrics, etc.) all say there is no safe amount, zero alcohol during pregnancy or early childhood.
I am sorry to pile on when you are so weary, but this is important.
Posted by: | November 16, 2006 09:41 AM
Comments
Aww, Jeannette, I'm sorry about Chris's job--we had both been praying about it.
You know, my SIS pretty much had to do the "cry it out" thing when she had twins with a 18 month little guy, too. She's not inflexible or uncompassionate in the way that she worked it out, but now they all three go to bed around 7 or 8 and sleep through the night almost every night. With three babies to take care of, it was just a necessity for her. And they're all happy kids. But every kid is different, and needs different levels of structure.
Posted by: Jo | November 16, 2006 09:58 AM
Comments
I mean SIL, blasted internet abbreviations.
Posted by: Jo | November 16, 2006 09:58 AM
Comments
Ugh. I'm feeling for ya, friend.
Posted by: RT | November 16, 2006 12:23 PM
Comments
Aww, I'm sorry. Life is so stressful and exhausting, all around. Have you asked your doctor about Ellis's sleep?
Poor ancestors with the booze... they probably lived in a one-room cottage, all sharing a bed. I can't imagine! No white noise for them, and no nursery, probably no naptime for mommy!! It's no wonder they would have been desperate. I'm glad you got a couple of hours of sleep from the hot toddy though. Maybe next time you can just drink it all yourself. Ellis will cry himself back to sleep and you'll be in dreamland not even hearing it. ;D
Posted by: Grace | November 16, 2006 07:38 PM
Comments
Dudes! White noise doesn't work. He's Deaf!
Posted by: Jnet | November 16, 2006 10:59 PM
Comments
Maybe the white noise is for YOU! ;-)
Posted by: Jo | November 17, 2006 09:48 AM