I am trying to remember what my life was like before having children.  I vaguely remember sleeping in until 11am or noon and crawling out of bed, only to laze around and watch movies all day with my husband.  Ahhhhhhhhh……those were the days.

I am now trying to make blood-shot eyes a new fashion statement.  Now I know why women say that having children causes you to have gray hair.  The last week has been especially rough, because my baby girl Talia has been sick with a cold ( which she got from Natara’s birthday party, urrhhh).  Naturally, she hasn’t been sleeping so great.  We are living in a world of vapourizers around here.

Lastnight was another rough night.  Talia woke up at 3am and wanted to feed.  Luckily, she went right back down.  Unfortunately, at around 4am Natara woke up with a nightmare, and then again, and again.  The last time I went in to her room and I stayed with her until she fell back to sleep.  Partly because I wanted her to feel safe and secure, secondly because she has a nice single bed and my husband snores like you wouldn’t believe.  He snores so loud, he could bring the house down with the vibrations (sorry hun!, Its nothing I haven’t said to you already).

Between one hungry booger-filled baby, one preschooler suffering from nightmares, and one loud-sleeping husband, it makes for a very difficult night’s sleep.  I don’t think anyone can prepare you for the sleep deprivation parenting brings, you just have to roll with the punches.  I am the type of person who really needs a good 7-8 hours of sleep a night to feel well rested.  And now, with breastfeeding, it seems to take a lot more energy out of me.

You hear the advice, sleep when the baby sleeps.  For starters, it is very difficult to wind back down when the baby sleeps.  Also, when you have more than one child it is virtually impossible.  Very rarely, do the kids ever sleep at the same time.  In my case, my oldest girl doesn’t even nap in the afternoon at all.   I should really learn to go to bed when the kids go to bed at night.  However, that is my only chance for down time and to also talk to my husband.

So then…what do you do?  Either get someone to watch the kids for you so you can have a snooze, or suck it up, drink some coffee, and go about your daily routine.  In my case, I took the second option.  I think it is part of being a mother.  You are almost subconsciously programmed to carry on and pick up the pieces.  That is why God chose women to give birth, we are stronger by nature.  (No offense guys).

Only 12 more hours until my bedtime….and counting!