I am so beyond even segmenting blogging into anything other than this – a mish-mash post of ‘news in brief’, what’s going on around these parts, spinning around in my sleep deprived mind. I suppose this little space in internet-land is a peek inside my brain, so a smashed up, nonsensical rambling like this is quite appropriate given I struggle to rub two brain cells together at the moment. This morning I actually took a basket of washing into the laundry and opened the freezer to put them into instead of the washing machine. I wish I were joking.
So, can we talk about sleep? Or lack of? I feel like I want to devote essays of blog posts about the sleep, or rather the non-sleep. I’ve become that person – obsessed and absolutely bloody consumed by my daughter’s sleeping habits. I won’t subject you to a yawn worthy blog post about Eleanor’s nighttime antics, but let’s just say things have gone south since her beautiful first 12 weeks of blissful baby behaviour. She can’t be hungry…yet I feed her. She loses that flipping dummy approximately 1278 times a night…yet I keep putting it back in. I know everyone says she will one day sleep, and I know she’s ‘only’ 5 months old so she’s still really little…but tell that to the little voices in my mind at 1am…then 2am…2.30am…3am…
Let’s also talk about the fact that Eleanor is still wearing woolen socks in late-ish November shall we? What up Spring?!
Let’s talk about the state of my sewing room, which I cleaned and organised very neatly last week (when Eleanor actually slept during the day!) and is now a shambles again as my list of what I’d like to make for Eleanor grows daily. You know, in all my spare time! I really want to be making lots of things for Little Miss Emma…but my to-do list of other tasks grows and grows…
Let’s talk about the fact that I clearly am not coping going to work even once a week for half a day and trying to function on no sleep, and so the inevitable recruitment begins. Let’s talk about my enormous washing pile, the dishes, the dirty floors and unanswered phone calls and emails…actually, let’s not.
Instead, let’s talk about the plans we have for a hedge along the eastern fence of the yard. What would you plant? Matt’s quite partial to a robinia, but I’m a bit adverse to the red foliage (for a reason unknown!) Let’s also talk about what is eating my beautiful strawberries just when they’re ready to pick, no sooner, no later. Hmph. Let’s talk about my hydrangeas which are blooming – huzzah!
Let’s talk about this gorgeous doll which arrived from the family who in another lifetime we were jackaroo/governess for in outback Queensland. Her name is ‘Rose’ and we love her! Let’s also talk about the fact I’ve rearranged Eleanor’s room yet done nothing more about girlifying or updating it from a very gender neutral nursery. Tractor pillows stay I guess…
In other news, my friend Sandra has dipped her toe in the blogging world – she’s the ultimate farmers wife with three little farmer boys, and is quite possibly the world’s best brownie maker. Tis true! She doesn’t mind me asking her endless questions about naughty babies, she’s handy like that. Find her here at Jennings Road.
What’s spinning around in your brain?
Is it resembling mashed banana like mine?
Discuss…
Reen says
Oh Emma, it’s not an easy road, this sleeping baby thing. And I hate to say this but I haven’t had a decent nights sleep since I’ve had kids! And my oldest is 6! Things have been particularly bad these last couple of months as we’ve moved house so my kids are really unsettled and have been sick too, which never helps. I think I’ve had two uninterrupted nights of sleep in the last few months.
Holly says
Aww she is precious… Despite the cruelty of not letting her parents sleep. We were pretty lucky with our first. She was a night owl but so were we so we would all sleep in. The bump on board now might not be so kind 😉 hope your routine settles again.
Jess (Are We There Yet?) says
Oh Emma! I hear you! We have a nearly 7 month old who isn’t sleeping a whole lot either! He is our No 4 so you would think I would be used to it by now & have this figured out! But it is so true – every baby is different! Hang in there – I think we both might have some necessary bouts of tough love in store for our babes soon!
susan says
Oh, you poor sweet thing. My advice is to get some sleep whenever you’re able and try not to feel pressured to do much besides taking care of your baby and yourself. It will pass, the laundry will get done and your sewng room will get sorted out. Be gentle with yourself. Take care.
Bel says
There’s a reason our babies are so darn cute, there has to be! Because when they wake for the um-tenth time during the night and you look at that clock, and your blood starts pumping in absolute frustration, and you’re in the thick of yet another restless night, that is the reason they are so cute and you wake up to fight another day! I promise one day, I can’t tell you when, you’ll look back on this day and not remember it at all! Sending truck loads of sleepy dust your way x
Heiress Emma says
Just another mum chiming in with a sleep “i’ve been there” comment… I have a 9 month old, and she sleeps well and has done from about 8 weeks old… EXCEPT (before you hunt me down to strangle me) for months 4 and 5. I was going crazy, and then after a bit of discussion and reading and research, I came to understand that she WAS hungry, she WAS in need of extra cuddles, and she wasn’t just doing it to upset the household – 4-5 months is a massive growth and development spurt, and they need all the food and love they can get. I almost gave up breastfeeding during this time as it seemed she was perpetually hungry and that I couldn’t give her enough – nope, she was just a hungry growing bubba! I did however introduce a solid food meal round this time… rice cereal was no good on her tummy so we went to sweet potato and pears – never looked back.
Anyway, just writing so you know it does end and there is a reason for the madness – I’m sure you already know that but sometimes it helps to hear it from other people (it did me!)
Wishing you sleep xx
Marly says
There’s a sleep school day program at Koo Wee Rup. Apparently they’re great.
kathy says
Every baby is different and what may work for one baby may not work for another but Mummy does need a day time nap when baby naps………..the washing can wait (given that it was going in the freezer anyway)….the first baby is pure exhaustion because you’ve never been sleep deprived like this and/or broken sleep is the worse. I would say to catch up and be a human being you are going to have to make yourself for the next week lie on the couch and do some crocheting or read a book and dose off. Sitting and sewing or standing up cutting isn’t going to give you energy back (even though that’s a great thing for you to do that’s on your to do list). Catch up by allowing yourself for the next 7 days to lay/lie down read or crochet or put a DVD on rather than tidying up the place. Also see how you go for the next 4 weeks and if it doesn’t improve see if you can get into the one day sleep school in Melbourne which is govt run…OMG it was a game changer when I had my first baby. I don’t know what it’s called but the community health should know. In one day I came home a different person and it should be mandatory for all new mummies…everyone focuses on the birth and no one tells you how to manage to get these little bubs into a good sleep routine. That is way more important. Anyway I totally recommend it and it shouldn’t cost any money because it’s the govt health system.
Maternal and Child Health Line – 13 22 29
Qualified Maternal and Child Health nurses provide information, support and advice to Victorian families with children from birth to school age (5 years old), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
– See more at: http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/maternalchildhealth#sthash.U4NDFHzD.dpuf
The above phone number they should be able to tell you about the “sleep school” I can’t remember exactly where it is. I was at Vermont South and it could have been a 30 min drive. Can’t remember what it’s called but that number may be able to help you. Have a good week. Kathy
Reannon @shewhorambles says
It’s totally normal to be obsessed with lack of sleep. My 18 month old still wakes every night & so does my 6 month old. Some days all I can do is think about all the sleep I’m not getting. BUT I also have a 14.5yr old & an almost 12 year so I know FOR SURE they eventually sleep & sleep so much you have to drag them from bed kicking & screaming. That is no help to any of us now though. We are the walking dead mombies who carry the whole luggage department under our eyes.
Hang in there. Do what you need to to get through the day. Forget all the cleaning. x
Janelle Foote says
So hearing you! My daughter is now 1 and I’m still obsessed with her sleep… But it is much better! It does get better. Rest assured!! You just feel like you’ll go mad before they do…
Alison says
Oh dear, we all feel your pain. Especially today as I’ve had two sleep deprived nights with kids and gastro, yes and even the 10 month old. I’d swap a 5 month old for my Mount Everest of spewing laundry….!
Can Eleanor put her own dummy back in? If you tie it on a bit of ribbon? What happens if you delay going into her? Can you stretch the going into her again? Or ditch the dummy?! (Even though I know a sleep deprived person doesn’t think logically at 2am!) Can you sneak your own nap in during the day? Does she sleep better in the pram – get her to sleep in there during the day? Go gently on yourself on these days, this stage WILL pass!
bee says
I am obsessed with my 6 month old daughter asleep too! I never thought such a thing would worry be so much. Such a bumpy ride but a worthwhile one. 🙂
Ps- do u know where the doll came from? Looking for exactly this as a first Christmas gift .
Lucy says
Can I just say be kind to yourself? You grew a baby and now care for her, that in itself is amazing. Ease up on yourself, lower your expectations, I know easier said than done when you’re on next to no sleep, I’ve been there. (well I still am sleep deprived but am now a Mum of two so all expectations have flown out the window!) I used to put take a shower on my to do list so I could have at least one thing crossed off it a day (even if I didn’t get the shower in til the afternoon). Don’t be afraid to have a break and ask for help.
Marly says
Emma, really do hang in there. I know you’ve heard it a million times, but this is what happened with me..
My bub is three months old. I had pnd after a horrible delivery and subsequent health issues that has had me in hospital for surgery three times since she was born. My anxiety was so bad I dozed on the couch next to her overnight while she was in her crib, I couldn’t go to bed. She woke every 1.5 to two hours all through the day and night. When she was 10 weeks I thought I needed to get more control over my anxiety. We moved back to the bedroom. Within two days she was sleeping more at night. She goes from 10:30 until 5am. During the day she still cat naps. I really, really think it was the obvious difference between night and day in her routine. At 10pm we go upstairs, I swaddle her, put on the night light, feed her then put her in her cot. During the day she doesn’t sleep in the bedroom but in the bassinette (or fights sleep and complains in the bassinette.) maybe it’s a coincidence. Maybe this is about to go pear shaped on me and she’ll be up all night. Who knows?
Out of this ramble, maybe try the cot overnight and somewhere else during the day? Just a thought…..
sandra jennings says
oh thank you so much, my heart bursts with joy! Your kind words mean the world to me..shucks, I am blushing a little! I will try and whisper sweet sleeping secrets to Miss E tomorrow!