Wednesday, May 2, 2007

I wanna sleep too!!!

I've been falling asleep today - just sitting there, nursing the baby and BOOM - I'm asleep.

I know this is fairly common with new nursing mommas - but usually for me, it's just during nighttime feedings. I've got two other children running around the house, for goodness sakes! I woke up when my book hit the floor- hello??!!

I sleep terrible without my dh. Last week, with my mom here, I at least got a decent amount of sleep. I still had a hard time sleeping at night, but my mom would often let me sleep late in the mornings to make up for it.

With her gone, I am a wreck.

Two nights ago, I went to bed about 7:30am. I know, what's the point - but I was fairly exhausted and thought even an hour would do me some good. I slept until about 9am when my girls woke me up. Ok, fine.

Then one night ago, I fell asleep about 1:30am - up at 3:00 to nurse - back down at 4:00 - up at 5:45 (Elijah was having a bad night, I guess) - back down at....oh wait, nope - I stayed up to get us ready for our church activities that morning.

So then last night. I think I got to sleep about 4:30am. During these times at night, I am cleaning, straightening, organizing, laundry, sewing, reading, you name it. I try to avoid the vacuum past midnight, but other than that, everything is fair game.

I think part of the problem is, without Dean, I don't have enough time in the day to get things done that I want done. Without Isaac here, I have to spend more time entertaining babies - he's such a big help to me, even at just 5 years old (note to parents: next time you have to take a younger child - not my helper-dude!!). I have not one minute where someone else is changing a diaper, or getting a glass of milk, or reading a book, or just playing with them while I get other things done.

This has certainly given me empathy for single moms. Now, most single moms I know only have one or two babies - but I know there are some widows that may have many children. I pray that I will now be more open to the Lord's leading in this area - if He would have our family help in any way.

Ok, well, I gotta go vacuum - my MIL is coming today (ya, I'm going to beg a nap first thing!!) and then dh flies back Friday. Then at some point, I need to go drive the trip to IN to pick up my eldest from my folks house. I was smart enough to throw some soy chicken in the crock pot this morning, so I'll just have to boil some water for rice tonight. We've got church tonight as well, so I'm praying for a nap during the kiddos quiet time. Here's hopin' & prayin'.

Anyone else have such a hard time sleeping without their dh's?? I only have to endure this one more time during my dh's time at seminary. Praise the LORD!! What with not sleeping, plus having to do all the "manly" chores (cleaning and putting up window screens, mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage - which I missed the first week, having to put receipts in the computer, just all those wonderful things my dh does), dealing with a storm without my baby (*sniff*) and just missing him....well....I'm about DONE!!

Boring blog, I know. But my fingers are literally flopping all over the keyboard so I'd better call it a day.../

*Michigan Momma*

p.s. the eating thing - it went poorly. I already have issues with eating in the evenings, after the kids go to bed. Then add in being up all hours of the night - well, it just didn't go well, let's leave it at that. I am still trying, but it's hard.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hang in there (with the eating thing)!! I know for me it is super hard to implement things when my hubby is gone or super busy. I am so busy with everything else.

I also know what you mean about falling asleep while nursing. I never did with the other two, but with this one I find myself dozing in the middle of the day! Yikes!

~Annemarie

Unknown said...

Annemarie,

Someone just told me that boys nurse VORACIOUSLY (sp?). Maybe that has something to do with it.

Anyways, I'm beat, whatever it is.

And thanks for the encouragement. I do know things will be better, and not seem so desperate, when my dh is back.

Thanks~
Lori

Anneatheart said...

Hi Lori,

I can very much relate! I cannot sleep when my dh is gone either. And even though I did not nurse,I fell asleep a lot feeding during the day, especially with the second and third.

I just wanted to tell you to not be so hard on yourself. I have three daughters ages 4,3, and 1. My oldest has developmental delays, which we just found out is because she has hydrocephalus, fluid on her brain. SO we have that to deal with. My middle child is a major handful- she is smart and sneaky :) My baby is wonderful and obeys pretty well. I think you are beautiful inside and out and I can definitely relate to wanting to lose weight. Before I had children I went on a diet of 70% raw foods and the rest was whole and no sugar/caffeine etc. I did lose a lot of weight and was in good health, but after having so many pregnancies so close together I just can't seem to get back on it. I do cook from scratch as healthy as I can, but I'm still overweight. I do need more exercise and am working on that, but there's so much going on. I think you should definitely shoot for healthy eating and good quality foods, but don't put too much pressure on yourself about food. There are times when I need a coke! But I don't usually have any, so I have to find a substitute. I think you are doing a great job and most people would be in awe of what all you are doing with 4 little ones.

God bless,
Jessica

Unknown said...

Jessica,

What a sweet comment! Do you know my mother??? *grins* She is always telling me to not be so hard on myself. I *do* work hard - but I bet if I could loose a lot of this weight, it would be easier on me PHYSICALLY.

I do tend to do things in extremes though. All or nothin'. Unfortunately, this often leads to "well, you messed up Lori, so just give up". That's really what I need to work on. Moderation. So what if I have a blizzard (not that I did, honest, really, well...maybe...okay, chocolate chip cookie dough...) - then I will just need to try and eat a bit less to kind of balance things out.

Sometimes I just get frustrated with myself - I mean, here I am, fairly intelligent, highly organized, a go-get-'em kind of gal. Yet this food thing...well, I just can't get it under control like I'd like.

Anyways, thanks again for the sweet comments. I hear a baby....

~Lori

Anonymous said...

I can't sleep without my husband in bed next to me. I just can't. I toss and turn the whole night. I even try having one of the kids sleeping with me, but after getting kicked in the stomach, back, and head a few times, I figure it's not worth it. I sleep very poorly without him. There is just something about having him next to me!
~Cassandra