No Rest for the Weary

Yesterday Riley and her friends played at the splash pad all afternoon. Then Riley and Becca played until 8pm. She only took two little cat naps, 30min or less. By the time we got home little Miss Roo was out like a light. Unfortunately, as soon as she touched the crib mattress her eyes popped open like one of those blinkie dolls in reverse.

We had dinner and a bath and I nursed her in the nursery rocker. She fell asleep on me, but pulled the same wide-eyed routine when I put her in the crib. She cried briefly and then settled in to sleep. At midnight I woke up to screaming and in my usual confused sleepy stupor tried to get to the baby. Mike stopped me and reminded me of the plan. They talked, rocked, went for a stroll around the block and watched Pink Floyd music videos together until she fell back asleep. She slept until 6am and then I had to go in and nurse her for my sake. I held her and rocked her and she gulped like she was starving. She cried for for much longer when I put her back in the crib that time, but was asleep shortly. It was so nice to reclaim my bed. To climb in alone and roll around into any position I wanted. She woke up at 7am and was ready to start her day.

I got her dressed and put her down to play. Then I got Isaac up and ready for school. I let Mike sleep until the last minute. I felt tired, but accomplished. We made it through the first night of not bringing her to our bed. We were a great team and even though I didn't get lots of sleep the sleep I did get was deeper and more relaxed than any sleep I've had in a long time. It also felt good to get up and get the kids ready for the day like I used to. It's been an insanely long road and I can't believe I'm gonna start the whole thing over again.