Ups and Downs

In the beginning, when Micah was first born, Terry and I were prepared for the lack of sleep we'd get. Knowing how bad it will be kind of sets you up to be prepared, and then it doesn't feel so bad. Plus, getting up with Micah is never really that hard. He's too sweet and any time you get to spend with him is wonderful!

But, now we're pampered. Micah sleeps 6-8 hours most nights. We've got nursing down so that both of us our adept enough to do it in bed, even without disturbing Terry.

But, last week, Micah got really grouchy. He was eating more often and waking up every 2 hours at night wanting to be held or played with. I checked my trut-worthy books, and yep- most kids experience a growth spurt at 3 months. Turns out it's typical for a through-the-night-sleeper to begin to regress. It honestly drove me insane with lack of sleep. Thursday night's sleep is very important, because Friday's are the only days I work(out of the house, that is!). I have to leave my house around 7:15, and besides just getting myself ready, I have to nurse Micah one last time before I leave and pack up my breast pump for work, so Friday mornings are VERY early! Well, last Thursday, I think I got about 2 hours sleep, total.

I came home from work Friday exhausted, and grateful that Mel was coming to bring us dinner. When she left around 8, all I wanted to do was go to sleep, but Micah had eaten from a bottle all day, and I didn't want him to have to do that again, so that meant I'd be staying up until he ate for the last time around 10:30.

I knew I wouldn't make it another night without sleep. So, I called my mom and asked if we could come over. We quickly packed Micah a bag (Terry and I didn't pack a thing but our toothbrushes, we went in our pjs!) and drove to my mom's where I fed Micah one last time and happily handed him over to my mom. He slept in mom and David's room while Terry and I peacefully (and deeply!) got a full night's sleep upstairs!

I'm not quite ready yet to let him sleep over somewhere without me. I need regular Micah-fixes! But, since I got to see him first thing Saturday morning, this worked out wonderfully! And lucky for my mom- he was back to his normal precious self and only got up once at night!

Man, it's nice having family around to do things like bring us dinner, diapers, new clothes, and of course, to babysit. I do believe it takes a village to raise a child, and I'm thankful for Micah's village. Hmmm....who do we christen the village idiot? :)