Last night as we were getting ready for bed, I was bitchin' and moanin' about how tired I am, and I was telling Jerry how I can't believe that pre-Norah I ever thought I was busy. When I think back to before she was born, or before I was pregnant, it literally blows my mind to think about how much extra time I had (yet, at the time, I don't think I realized or appreciated all that extra time). I am not kidding when I tell you that I used to sleep 8-9 hours a night, and then come home from work in the early afternoon and take a 2 hour nap. Goodness gracious, I would kick a puppy to get that much sleep now!*
Jerry replied, "Yeah, but you wouldn't trade that, would you?"
No, of course not. Norah is worth WAY more than a few hours of sleep to me, but it is amazing how your life does a complete 180 once you have a child -- to think, I used to just walk out the door (anytime I wanted to) with just my purse!
We marveled over all the changes the last year has brought for us, and Jerry chuckled with: "Just wait, when we have another kid, you'll be saying, 'I can't believe I ever thought that just Norah was a lot of work -- I used to get so much sleep then!'"
I laughed too at that because I know it's all about perspective, and I'm certain I will say something like that one day.
So, anyhoo, that's a long intro to my main point: I was too tired for an early run again today. But the upside is that b/c today is my last day of class, I'll get home a few hours early and will most certainly have time to fit it in this evening before it gets dark. And, because today is my last day for the term, I'm hoping to get some rest in over the next two weeks -- during Norah's naps or opting to go to bed extra early, and I should be able to since I won't have to use that time to grade papers like I do now.
*Really, I know I should be the last person with an infant to complain about sleep since Norah sleeps from 6 pm-6:30 am, but just because she sleeps a solid 12 hours a night, doesn't mean I do. I usually go to bed around 9 pm (yes, Jerry, sometimes I want to be in bed by 8, shut up) and I am always up at 4:30 am to pump. And yes, I could eliminate that 4:30 "feeding" and endure a few days worth of discomfort and then be able to sleep later, but I want to keep that "feeding" because: A.) It is partially what motivates me to stay up and do those early runs on the days I actually do them, and B.) That one "feeding" alone provides Norah with the majority of the milk she needs for bottles at DC and her early evening with Jerry.
And, no, I would not actually kick a puppy. I *puffy heart* puppies. But a tired Jess is not a reasonable Jess.
22 comments:
I still think you should ask. Norah probably needs to eat before 12 hours is up :-) You might need to wake her to eat. Of course, I'm just conjecturing, because you guys got it going on, ya know? My babies always woke up in the night anyways.
Perspective is the thing! A healthy perspective covers most of life's challenges.
And don't you wonder what you did with your time before you had her? I think I must have wasted a lot of time on stupid junk before Jack was born.
I TOTALLY thought your main point was going to be that you're pregnant again. :o)
I will be sure to appreciate every minute of sleep and spare time that I have right now!
LOL at X-Country2's comment!
I "puffy heart puppies," too!
Enjoy the time off and enjoy a little "me" time, you deserve it!
you'll get it back (the sleep) for about a few years and i'm sure when they turn into teens it's all a shitstorm again.
yeah, I'm such a wuss compared to you. I'm just too tired period. No good reason for it. No kid. No 70+ hour/week job. Nothin'. Just pure laziness.
Enjoy your time off from school. You deserve it!
OH you get so much more sleep than I do! I wish I could get sleep from 9-4:30am! Eli is not as good a sleeper as Norah is. He is now getting up 2 time in the night as of a week ago...we were down to the 1 time a night but then he got all congested and sick and now he is getting up at 12:30-1am and again at 3:30 in the morning....I am trying to get to bed earlier like when he goes down at 7:45pm but it is so hard to get things done! I too look back on the free time I had and realize those days are over. Good thing these babies are cute!
Yeah, I used to think I was busy - I had no idea what busy was.
I remember the 4am feeding/pumping. I could get a full bottle from just one side. Keep up the good work!
Hope you get some nice naps over break.
More babies doesn't make more work. Once you have one...and eventually they are big enough to help. ;-)
I admire you for getting up at 4:00 to do your a.m. pump. It's a great thing for Norah! (and my littlest slept through the night again last night! yeah finally 15 months!!)
Sorry to hear your so tired. I know I've said it before, but I can only imagine.
My husband and I constantly wonder what we did before we had Sophie. Crazy how everything changes. Enjoy your break!
I was doing that 4:30 feeding and when I cut that, my supply dropped for sure! I totally agree - I had so much time. The 2 hour nap cracks me up! I have been applying to community college like mad.
I'm trying to enjoy every second of free time I have now because I know it will all be gone in 5 months!
You've been pretty much a superhero lately, with all that you do. No wonder you feel exhausted! Hopefully you'll be able to find some "me" time during winter break. Even if the "me" time means sleep time. It's all good.
Its hard to fit it all in, but you are doing awesome. You have been keeping up with a lot of things and have been an inspiration to a lot of us who are having some trouble managing ;) Take time to enjoy Norah and running will always find a way into your life.
Totally can realate to the time issus. I always wonder what I did with all the extra time I had before Morgan. I have no clue what I use to do.
Congrats on the final day of school. Long live the evening run!
Yeah for the last day (mine was yesterday also...we're FREEEEEEEEE!)
When I had the second kid, I had the same thought..."why was one so hard?" It's exponential (the time suck and that it's so worth it).
I think I have no time for running now, I don't know how you manage with Norah and work and running. I have a huge respect for all parents who manage to raise kids and still find time to keep themselves happy!
I hear ya - where does the time go? I'm hoping I'll find a little Shannon time when I get a break from work. But since Rylee only naps for 1 to 2 hours max - I'm guessing it won't be a lot of time!
*puffy heart*
Love that.
No idea how you slept 8-9 hours AND took a two hour nap. 11 hours of sleep in one day? Nuts.
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