Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Sleep Deprivation

I don’t ever remember an age when I didn’t want to sleep if I had the chance. Maybe that’s why it bewilders me when I tell my children, “It’s nap time.” And their response is “Noooooooooo! I’m not tiiiiiiiiiired!!!!” And then they run screaming.

Dude! If someone told me it was naptime – Woo hoo! Today, I think I’m just slightly delusional because I didn’t sleep last night. Do you ever have one of those nights where no matter how many sheep you count or how much Tylenol PM you take, you CANNOT get to sleep?!

Today, I thought if I could just get the kids to take a nap, maybe I could take one too. (I’ll pause for a moment so everyone can laugh.) I really thought I had Eli worn out. He looked very drowsy, and I parked him in front of a Spongebob marathon on Nick Jr. Then I put Georgia down. As soon as she fell asleep, I was going to lie down.

Unfortunately, she had other ideas. I could hear her talking, counting, singing, clapping – everything except falling asleep. Finally, I poked my head in her room and smelled the unmistakable scent. I asked, “Georgia, did you poop?” She said, “Nooooooooo!” Uh-huh. That’s her answer to everything no matter what the question.

After changing her, I put her back down. Then she started screaming for her Backyardigans book, so I brought her a book. Then she screamed for milk. So I brought her milk. Then she screamed for a Dora book. Altogether, it took me two hours to get her to sleep!

By this time, it was almost time for Eric to get home from work, but I thought maybe I could still get about 30 minutes of shuteye. I went to lie down in my bed, and there came Eli bounding down the hall.

Eli: Mama! Have you seen my two quarters?
Me: They’re on the kitchen counter by the microwave.

Eli bounded off to the kitchen. Two minutes, here he came again.

Eli: Mama! Can we make caramel apples?
Me: Maybe when daddy gets home.

Off he goes. Two minutes later –

Eli: Mama! When you get up, can we play Hungry Hungry Hippos?
Me: Yes! But you have to leave me alone for just a few minutes first.

Two minutes later –

Eli: Mama! Can I have a piece of candy?
Me: NO!

Two minutes later –

Eli: Mama! For Christmas, I’m going to get you the thing that teaches you to dance like Hannah Montana. It even has a wig you can wear!

At that point, I just got up. Maybe I’ll get a nap tomorrow.

6 comments:

Kara said...

Ugh, I unfortunately completely understand. I would love to sleep anytime, but my kids hate to nap. It has been torture to get Toddler to nap at all anymore. My only satisfaction is that one day they will be parents dealing with the same thing, sweet revenge :D

Sadie said...

I laughed out loud at the wig comment. I want pictures of that.

withthanksgiving said...

Looks like you are up kind of late.

Crazy Working Mom said...

Oh wow! To be able to dance like Hannah Montana...priceless. *LOL*

Mo and The Purries said...

can't wait to see your sleep deprived face under that Hannah Montana wig on Christmas Morning!

Not Your Regular Mini Van Mom said...

Oh girl, I feel your pain. I have had two sick 5 year olds for going on three weeks. I don't understand how they can cough and be up all night and still have energy to function (albeit very grumpily) the next day. I feel like a bag of dirt. A very tired bag of dirt. I would throw a party if I got an afternoon nap. It will never happen though...maybe when they are teenagers. LOL