sleep...or lack of
Nobody in our house seems to be getting enough sleep these days and it's definitely showing. I feel like everyday Ben and I talk about how we need to get the kids caught up on their sleep, but it just doesn't happen (but not for lack of trying!).
I shouldn't really include Ben in this ramble. His lack of sleep is his choice- he has been staying up late to work out, watch TV, or work- and it doesn't seem to be bothering him.
The rest of us, though....
Gracie's lack of sleep is caused by nighttime fears. We've been dealing with A LOT of bad dreams lately. Last night, for example, she was up for about 45 minutes in the middle of the night convinced that there were elephants trying to get into our house to hurt us. I kept trying to take her mind off of it, but as soon as I stopped talking each time, she said, "I'm still thinking about it." She has begun to be afraid to sleep in her room, so she's been sleeping on the overstuffed chair and ottoman in our room. The nights that she does manage to fall asleep in her own bed, she ends up in our room by morning. Poor girl.
Luke is just a ball of energy lately and doesn't want to stop to get well-needed rest. He is at that funny age where he really still needs a nap, but he resists. He's acting extra tired this week (read overactive and emotional), but I can't get him to bed early, can't get him to take a nap, and can't get him to sleep in. Even last night, he was up way too late, but still was at the side of my bed a little after six this morning.
And I'm not sleeping well for all of the above reasons, and because I just can't get comfortable. I have always slept on my stomach and making the switch to sleeping on my side during pregnancy has been insanely difficult for me each time. I also keep getting these crazy bouts of insomnia. Something or someone will wake me up during the night, and I'm unable to fall back asleep. My pregnancy books say it's caused by hormones and my doctor says it's caused by heightened anxiety about the new baby. Whatever the cause, it's frustrating beyond words.
So that's us. If you have any tips on getting a three year old to take a nap, eliminating nightmares, or curing insomnia, I'd LOVE to hear them! :)
I shouldn't really include Ben in this ramble. His lack of sleep is his choice- he has been staying up late to work out, watch TV, or work- and it doesn't seem to be bothering him.
The rest of us, though....
Gracie's lack of sleep is caused by nighttime fears. We've been dealing with A LOT of bad dreams lately. Last night, for example, she was up for about 45 minutes in the middle of the night convinced that there were elephants trying to get into our house to hurt us. I kept trying to take her mind off of it, but as soon as I stopped talking each time, she said, "I'm still thinking about it." She has begun to be afraid to sleep in her room, so she's been sleeping on the overstuffed chair and ottoman in our room. The nights that she does manage to fall asleep in her own bed, she ends up in our room by morning. Poor girl.
Luke is just a ball of energy lately and doesn't want to stop to get well-needed rest. He is at that funny age where he really still needs a nap, but he resists. He's acting extra tired this week (read overactive and emotional), but I can't get him to bed early, can't get him to take a nap, and can't get him to sleep in. Even last night, he was up way too late, but still was at the side of my bed a little after six this morning.
And I'm not sleeping well for all of the above reasons, and because I just can't get comfortable. I have always slept on my stomach and making the switch to sleeping on my side during pregnancy has been insanely difficult for me each time. I also keep getting these crazy bouts of insomnia. Something or someone will wake me up during the night, and I'm unable to fall back asleep. My pregnancy books say it's caused by hormones and my doctor says it's caused by heightened anxiety about the new baby. Whatever the cause, it's frustrating beyond words.
So that's us. If you have any tips on getting a three year old to take a nap, eliminating nightmares, or curing insomnia, I'd LOVE to hear them! :)
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