Monday, January 10, 2011

Today I Took A Nap.

As far back as I can remember my mom would take a nap.  Every afternoon.  She still does. 

Me, though?  I look at naps as a waste of precious time.  Sometimes I go to bed too late at night because there so much I want to accomplish.  But when my babies first come home, I nap.  Everyone tells you to sleep when your baby sleeps.  So I did.

With Ash I slept when she slept for the first week or two, but her night schedule so quickly became the same as ours, I abandoned napping pretty quick.  "She's sleeping!  Yay!  Quick, get stuff done!" 

I assumed that when Britt came along it would all be the same sort of routine.  I'd nap when she'd nap for a bit and then after a week or so, she'd be "normal" and I'd get projects done. 

Thought WRONG!

Britt has never slept through the night.  Not once in her short nine months so far.  I napped with her for months because I had to.  She would go to bed at 8pm and wake up at 1am and not go back to sleep for HOURS!  It was pretty rough going for a while.  I experienced, first hand, the insanity that sleep deprivation brings.  Not pretty.  It took Britt at least four months to get her night and day sorted out. 

Then things got better.  She went through a little bump in the road a couple months ago where she thought it would be fun to wake up every hour or two, instead of every three or four, just to demand a feeding or play time.  But, I nipped that in the bud by simply laying her down and only feeding her every three hours.  She quickly learned that we sleep at night and snacks are served at strict three hour increments.  It was quite easy actually.

Except now.  Britt is getting a molar.  Ugh.  She's running a temp, dripping drool like faucet, has a stuffy nose, chews on everything, and, of course, won't sleep.  The past three nights have been absolutely horrendous and until that beastly tooth comes in, I'm back to napping.  **sighs**  At least Britt and I are getting extra cuddle time in.

This is the best shot I could get of my littlest princess.


The rest of them looked like this because the light on the camera bothered her poor, watering, extra light sensitive eyes!


P.S.  I'm trying everything (not all at once, don't panic): baby tylenol, bach's rescue remedy, lavendar/chamo/lemon balm tea, teething oil with clove, and even used up the last of the hyland's teething tablets (can't get anymore because of the recent recall).  Nothing is getting use through the night.  Any tips are very appreciated.  :D  I'm about to try Camilia teething relief.  Will let you know how that goes.

6 comments:

Gabby Malcuit said...

I wish I knew what to tell you. We are getting molars instead of sleep here, too :)

Vicky said...

Teething is no fun. I can't suggest anything more than you are already trying, so I will be thinking of you as you ride it out. x.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Poor little munchkin. I hope she feels better soon!

Myrnie said...

:( Good luck!! I remember E gnawing on things from my freezer when she was teething- frozen rolls, packs of ham....Tylenol is our go-to at night, hope that molar comes through soon! Oh, and frozen strawberries in the mesh chew bags. http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Fresh-Food-Feeder-Pack/dp/B000GK5XY2 Super messy, though, good for a bath :)

Elizabeth said...

Oh, gosh, I will just pray for you. This is such a difficult challenge. One feels so badly for the baby, but it is also so very rough on the mother. I remember being brain-damaged from no sleep. I pray all this ends soon for you.

Charlotte (Life's a Charm!) said...

I learned that babies will never sleep through the night especially when they are teething. Lots of hugs for you and Baby Brit. Being a mom to babies is exhausting, I am glad you are getting naps. I've been doing that too lately ..