Back to Normality
One thing I've learned about myself: I really am most comfortable when life is in a routine.
Another thing I've learned about myself: Sometimes it's good to go outside the routine and leave the laundry for tomorrow.
I'm writing this post from a place of sheer exhaustion. I can't complain about my kids' sleep habits...they have been excellent sleepers overall. Annika and Will were both sleeping through the night around 3-4 months. Josiah, a little later but that was because he is my first and I was sure that letting him cry it out would destroy his little spirit. Oh, what we learn and apply the second and third times around...
Anyway, back to the point, which is hard to come by because my brain isn't quite firing on all cylinders this morning. William woke at some point in the night (I don't have an alarm clock because (a) I don't need one; and (b) any sliver, chink or ray of light in the ultra-dark room keeps me awake (I'm delicate that way)...I think it was around 1:30. Crying, screaming really. Hans says that Will has the most grating cry of our three children...I think it's grating because he uses a pacifier at bedtime and not only is the cry high pitched and squealing, but garbled because his mouth is full.
Back, back to the point: He woke up screaming for no discernible reason and wouldn't calm down unless I held him. Mothers, you know this dance, right? You hold them and rock and rock and rock and you think they're asleep, so you gently, slowly disentangle them from your torso, lay them in the crib, tiptoe out the door, heave a sigh of relief and climb back into your own bed. Only to have them start up again as soon as your eyes closed.
Long, long story short, I ended up sleeping with an extremely clingy toddler last night while my poor husband went downstairs to the couch. You know...two's company, three's a crowd and Will is a crowder. Saying that I slept is a half truth as he clung to me like a barnacle on a bow and forced his gigantic head up at such a strange angle under my chin that I have neck pain this morning.
He's sleeping now. Lucky dog. Me--I have chores to catch up on and I've promised a friend a phone call at 10:00 that will probably last until 11:55 when I hang up on her because I need to go pick up Annika...sigh. She'll be on the other end, still talking, not even aware that I've left the conversation. She's kind of frustrating (really, Rachel?!) because she dominates the conversation, doesn't ask how I am doing and just talks. And talks and talks and talks. I am always the one who hangs up and I always have to tell her four times that I HAVE TO GO. Great girl, really...I just am more succinct and to the point, you know? I get the convo done and I move on.
All else is fine. Gen's visit was quick. She and Sam came in on Saturday and we headed immediately to the outlet stores at Williamsburg. Well, it worked out well because we were on that side of the bay anyway. Found some pretty good deals, best of the day was nice LL Bean coats for the boys (Josiah and Sam) for $14.99! I have coats for Josiah until he's about 10 that I bought off season. So far, that strategy has worked well, except that Annika jumped out of her 5Ts and into 6s a little early...so I have to back off of buying a season ahead for her in case of growth spurts.
Mother's Day was supposed to be a beach day, but it was rainy, so we had a big breakfast, lunch out and a stop at the awesome Chesapeake City Park. Monday was sunny and warm, so we loaded up Sam, Annika and William and headed to the beach in VB. Good weather and lots of interesting sights: dolphins, Navy ships, blimps, helicopters. Tuesday we drove back up to VB and went to the aquarium, though I ditched Gen, Sam and Annika halfway through and drove back to the nearby commissary to grocery shop. They had a good time. And there was still plenty of leftover time in the afternoons to sit out back in the sun and chat, have some good meals (and crappy wine), take a long walk (just Gen and me) and watch a couple of movies, one good (Black Swan) and one terrible (The Dilemma). Strangely enough, Winona Ryder was in both movies...way to comeback, Winona!
In other news, we bought an iPad. Angry Birds is the new favorite game...I know, we're a little behind the times!
Another thing I've learned about myself: Sometimes it's good to go outside the routine and leave the laundry for tomorrow.
I'm writing this post from a place of sheer exhaustion. I can't complain about my kids' sleep habits...they have been excellent sleepers overall. Annika and Will were both sleeping through the night around 3-4 months. Josiah, a little later but that was because he is my first and I was sure that letting him cry it out would destroy his little spirit. Oh, what we learn and apply the second and third times around...
Anyway, back to the point, which is hard to come by because my brain isn't quite firing on all cylinders this morning. William woke at some point in the night (I don't have an alarm clock because (a) I don't need one; and (b) any sliver, chink or ray of light in the ultra-dark room keeps me awake (I'm delicate that way)...I think it was around 1:30. Crying, screaming really. Hans says that Will has the most grating cry of our three children...I think it's grating because he uses a pacifier at bedtime and not only is the cry high pitched and squealing, but garbled because his mouth is full.
Back, back to the point: He woke up screaming for no discernible reason and wouldn't calm down unless I held him. Mothers, you know this dance, right? You hold them and rock and rock and rock and you think they're asleep, so you gently, slowly disentangle them from your torso, lay them in the crib, tiptoe out the door, heave a sigh of relief and climb back into your own bed. Only to have them start up again as soon as your eyes closed.
Long, long story short, I ended up sleeping with an extremely clingy toddler last night while my poor husband went downstairs to the couch. You know...two's company, three's a crowd and Will is a crowder. Saying that I slept is a half truth as he clung to me like a barnacle on a bow and forced his gigantic head up at such a strange angle under my chin that I have neck pain this morning.
He's sleeping now. Lucky dog. Me--I have chores to catch up on and I've promised a friend a phone call at 10:00 that will probably last until 11:55 when I hang up on her because I need to go pick up Annika...sigh. She'll be on the other end, still talking, not even aware that I've left the conversation. She's kind of frustrating (really, Rachel?!) because she dominates the conversation, doesn't ask how I am doing and just talks. And talks and talks and talks. I am always the one who hangs up and I always have to tell her four times that I HAVE TO GO. Great girl, really...I just am more succinct and to the point, you know? I get the convo done and I move on.
All else is fine. Gen's visit was quick. She and Sam came in on Saturday and we headed immediately to the outlet stores at Williamsburg. Well, it worked out well because we were on that side of the bay anyway. Found some pretty good deals, best of the day was nice LL Bean coats for the boys (Josiah and Sam) for $14.99! I have coats for Josiah until he's about 10 that I bought off season. So far, that strategy has worked well, except that Annika jumped out of her 5Ts and into 6s a little early...so I have to back off of buying a season ahead for her in case of growth spurts.
Mother's Day was supposed to be a beach day, but it was rainy, so we had a big breakfast, lunch out and a stop at the awesome Chesapeake City Park. Monday was sunny and warm, so we loaded up Sam, Annika and William and headed to the beach in VB. Good weather and lots of interesting sights: dolphins, Navy ships, blimps, helicopters. Tuesday we drove back up to VB and went to the aquarium, though I ditched Gen, Sam and Annika halfway through and drove back to the nearby commissary to grocery shop. They had a good time. And there was still plenty of leftover time in the afternoons to sit out back in the sun and chat, have some good meals (and crappy wine), take a long walk (just Gen and me) and watch a couple of movies, one good (Black Swan) and one terrible (The Dilemma). Strangely enough, Winona Ryder was in both movies...way to comeback, Winona!
In other news, we bought an iPad. Angry Birds is the new favorite game...I know, we're a little behind the times!
Comments
Well, hopefully your routine returns, honey. :)
Love ya! Hi to everyone!
I'm so happy to read blogs from you again. Thank you!