Taken Wednesday while waiting in the car, at the store, for Emma.
First I just want to say thanks to those of you who have made comments and given your encouraging words. I know this sounds dumb, but this has been one of the hardest times of my life. It has made me question my choice of motherhood and my love for my children. Which has made me feel horrible about myself and made me question my sanity. And that spirals me into a depression that is hard for me to shake. The last few days (well anytime I look sad) Emma asks "What's wrong Mom?" She is very sensitive to my moods. She doesn't like me to be upset. And I say,"nothing." But she can tell I am just not happy.
But I don't like to be down long. And I do have the desire to be out of the hole. So I am improving my attitude a little every day. Thanks Tara, for the pump. (that I hate) Thanks Marie for helping me remember that it is okay to go back and forth for months with the sleep training. Thanks Lisa, Haley, and others for just sympathizing. And a special shout out to Laura (my neighbor and DEAR friend) for telling me what has worked with Asher (Lauren's future husband). That will be so funny if they have sleep issues together! Stubborn little buggers.
She has slept 4 nights all night in her own bed! That is AWESOME. The naps still aren't down, but I see a little progress with them. She still cries for hours, but I have realized that I don't need to give up. She will do it a little bit at a time. NOt all at once. So I will persevere with the plan. And I do believe she will come to understand this is what to expect. I think she might just relax and go to sleep eventually. I will only let her scream for one hour though and not 2 or 3. That is awful! If she won't sleep after 1 hour screaming she will miss that nap and we will wait til the next one. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again! Love you!
5 comments:
I love you, Julie. You are an AMAZING mother. First, I can't believe the devotion to sleep with her every time she slept for an ENTIRE year. And second, you have every right to feel spent after sleeping with her every time she slept FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR.
I think you're incredible. Asher's going to have one killer mother-in-law.
just imagine pom-poms and a LOT of jumping, perhaps a cartwheel or two and me cheering for you jules! xo!
Oh bless your heart! I can relate to everything you said. Being a mother is the hardest thing I've ever done. I love your open honesty. Aaron still sleeps with us and I have to lay down by him t take naps and he is three! I never figured out the secret of getting kids to sleep in their own beds alone. The years of sleep disturbance is making me nutty. Just know you're not alone. Love you!
Hey Julie - It has been forever! Love your blog and your kids are just darling! Hang in there with your little one - YOU CAN DO IT!!! I hate this stage, but once she gets it then you are home free, Yeah!!
Take care and good luck!
Charlotte Crippen :)
Juli, when my babies cry instead of sleep, I tell myself that they will not remember this part of thier life, but the good sleeping habits will make their life better and that makes that awful hour easier(not easy) to handle.
Now I just need to figure out how to handle the crying during homework...any hints?
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