Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sleepless in Salt Lake

So I'm pretty ticked right now. This is the THIRD time I've done Grayson's 11-month post and he keeps erasing it for me. Not sure how it happened the first time, but a few minutes ago I highlighted everything to change my font type and size after I finally finished it and wouldn't you know Grayson pressed the space bar and immediately thereafter Blogger was nice enough to automatically save my draft for me. I lost every word, every picture, every video, every bit of punctuation down to the last comma. The only things left were the post title and label.

*sigh*

Needless to say, someone is no longer on my lap and is now throwing a fit that I put him in his crib. And you know what? I don't feel bad for him. I don't feel bad because he's supposed to be sleeping but he won't take a nap. This kid is the WORST SLEEPER EVER. I'm lucky if I get an hour's worth of naps from him in increments throughout the day. He's up at least once and usually twice during the night, and is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after only 8-9 hours of sleep. Aren't babies supposed to sleep 10-11 hours at night? Seriously, it's no wonder so many women choose to work out of the home. I've contemplated going to work full-time just to get a break, and I have a good baby. I'd probably have sold him off by now if he wasn't so easy-going.

He's still screaming in his room. I know he's not hungry. I know his diaper is clean. I know he is tired. I know he's so upset by now that if I pick him up to console him, I'll be calming him for about 10 minutes before he'll loosen his death grip on my arms. He still won't fall asleep after that, but he'll be calm enough that I might be able to stop holding him and fold the whites. What should I do? I give him 20 minutes to cry himself to sleep when it's obvious he needs a nap, but that only works 1-2 times out of every 5 attempts. Am I supposed to just let him cry until he finally falls asleep no matter how long it takes? And what are some natural remedies for a constant headache besides drinking more water?

Anyway, this post was supposed to be fun and light-hearted but now all I can do is fume. Blah. I guess I'll save the 11-month post for tomorrow when I'm in a better mood.

7 comments:

Lindsay said...

If you know for a fact that he is tierd let him cry. Honestly I have let my kiddos cry on a few occasions up to an hour. Some people would say that is aweful but it sounds to me like he needs to learn how to calm him self and fall back a sleep. Even in the middle of the night I would just let him cry it out. And then in the morning let him play in his crib for a while until it is actually time to wake up. It may sound mean but it must work because lots of people have commented that my kids have wonderful sleeping habits.

Melissa said...

My doctor told me the same thing. My little girl was getting up two to three times a night. He said there was no reason she should be waking up. He said to go in, lay her back down, pat her back, and leave. It took a couple days, but it worked. She cried and we all lost a little sleep but now she sleeps like a rock. It's so hard though and each kid is different so what worked for me might not work for you. Good luck!

cstenney said...

being a parent is great isn't it!?!?! I can totaly relate!

Karynn said...

Sounds like an 11-month old post to me! I never let my kids cry so I'm not the right person to ask. I couldn't stand it. Daelan was the worst sleeper - just like Grayson - but he's a GREAT sleeper now, if it helps! :-) Only took about 5 or 6 years. :-D

Sandy Cordova said...

The book "The Power of Positive Parenting" is GREAT! It has a section in it about bedtime/naptime fussiness.
You should check into it. It works! And it would be great to nip it in the bud while he's still little.... mama's need there serenity, and naptime is a much needed break during the day.
Remember...It's ok for babies to cry (unless they are ill...)
Hang in there and I hope your headaches go away.

bechtold clan said...

Well this is Tristan everyday so i can totally relate. Im really sorry...I think having a child in a routine and then BREAK that would be rough.

Sandy Cordova said...

Ya, sure, routines can be hard for a parent. When my days get all messed up and flustered my kids are sure to let me know. But on the days that things go "routinely" (as routinely as it can with children and running a household) it is so much more smooth. When they are little it is so much easier, especially when you get the opportunity to stay home with them.