Since Ginger refused to go down for a nap today (what's new?), we decided to go to the park and feed the ducks.
Quack! Quack!
All Ginger wanted to do was eat the ducks' bread and bagels. She had zero desire to feed her food to any ducks. Smart girl!
After the bread was gone, it was playtime at the park. Paprika made some "just for today" friends and they had a grand time until the sun was setting and it was time to go home.
I'm not really sure what to do about Ginger's sleep issues. She has always been a pretty terrible sleeper, but I guess I just figured that it was something that would get better after she turned one year old. I think it's more that I am now at the point where I want her sleep issues to change, and nothing really seems to be working. It's pretty overwhelmingly exhausting. I have read pretty much all the books on the subject, and I'm at my wit's end with it all.
Today I felt like I was about to break- she won't nap, won't sleep...and it's one of those things that can really start to drive a person CRAZY.
So, that's why when I felt like I just couldn't take it anymore, we went to the park and fed the ducks. Because if you're going to be completely.freaking.exhausted, then why not go to the park and feed the ducks?
It's actually not true that she won't sleep. It's that she won't sleep without me holding her. Since the day she was born, I have sat up in bed and held her while she sleeps because that was the only way I could get her to sleep.
See this brown pillow on the bed? And the pink donut shaped boppy pillow? I sit up with the brown pillow at my back, and the pink boppy around my waist...and she nurses the whole time she sleeps.
I even bought pillows just like these when we went on vacation to Maine and Indiana (it didn't make sense to bring them with because of the baggage fees)...but you'd better believe, I made sure I had pillows just like that when we were on vacation.
Now that she's mobile, the mattress is on the floor in case she unlatches and moves, which she never does. What's that? Oh yes, she has to be latched on, all.night.long to sleep. That wasn't such a huge issue until she got EIGHT teeth all at once about a month ago. Now, it's not so awesome. Not really awesome at all! ;-)
So, basically, I have not slept lying down since June 18, 2009...and I am, for lack of a better term, an all-night chew toy. I kid. Really. It's not that bad. (or at least that's what I'm telling myself).
I know it will work itself out. In the meantime, I am taking this sleep thing one day, one nap, one night at a time. And when all else fails, it's nice to just take a break, remember the big picture, and be grateful for the good in life (because even if I do have to sleep sitting up for the next five years, she is so very worth it). You know?
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11 comments:
Love the pics at the park - you look so good! :) praying for some sleep laying down for you!
Once again, I was reading your post, agreeing with everything! Although I haven't been sleeping sitting up for the last 6 1/2 months (that's how old Mia is), she basically only sleeps in "cat nap" increments unless she is being held. She'll sleep for hours if someone is holding her! :) The very second you put her down she wakes up as if she's never been sleeping, wide awake! UGH! I keep saying to myself, "It'll get better. It'll get better!" but perhaps it won't! :) But then I remind myself...she's happy, she's healthy, and there are a million and one mama's out there who would take all of my sleepless nights to have her, because they don't have their babies anymore! :( And then I realize, sleepless or not, I am SO blessed! :)
I'll sleep when their grown, right? :)
My son liked to be cuddled when he slept. So we have a long heat wrap, it's like a 4' long sock full of beans, and we'd microwave it to get it warm (but not to hot, of course), then tuck it around him. It worked! But Idk what to do about the constant latch.
oh girly, hugs to you! that is ROUGH
Have you tried feeding her with a bottle yet? Since she's one she can drink regular milk. Maybe weaning away from nursing first is the key? I honestly don't know how you've slept sitting up with her nursing! E-mail me anytime if you have questions or just need someone to vent to! Definitely time for you to put this to an end...
erininsandiego@gmail.com
Love the picture of you and the girls. So sorry for your lack of sleep but I'm glad Ginger is all smiles. The park seems like the perfect place to release stress.
I always love your pictures, and it just dawned on me how much hair, you, Mr. Mustard, and Paprika all have, and there is Ginger. I love that she looks so young still. It's breathtaking. Stay young, forever, little lady. So cute.
As for sleep, or lack thereof, I feel your pain. I am still nursing Yoda to sleep and probably 4 times between 10 pm and 5 a.m. Yep. It's crazy. The kid is potty trained and even takes breaks from nursing to say, "Not now, I'm nursing." Does that make me that mom? I hope you get your well-deserved rest very soon!
Oh I hear ya on the nursing all night long...Sherbert does the same thing. Fortunately he snuggles up against me so we're both able to get some sleep...but I don't know what it feels like to sleep without him latched on to me!!
(HUGS) hang in there.
Oh my gosh...she's a doll!!
I'm a chew-toy, too, if it makes you feel any better. 'Tis the season. Soon my baby will be 3 and 4 and 5 .... this is just a season. She's worth it :)
I am a chew toy also. lol
BUT, my life got so much better once I started nursing him laying down to go to sleep. Have you tried that? He still wakes up sometimes at night to nurse but it gets really bad when he is teething. I had to laugh about the teeth. I thought I was the only one that it bothered! You are one dedicated mommy to be sleeping sitting up this long. I would have lost my mind by now. LOL
Lovely pics, Erika.
I was going to say re sleep issues, if you could get a little break while Mr. Mustard looked after her, that would help, but I see you've found that solution.
My baby is 14, and I promise you, hard as it is now, it IS a stage!
Just try to keep getting a few breaks for yourself, to sleep for a few hours or to go out.
Your girls are beautiful, and it's such a lovely stage to be at, so much fun!
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