Friday, September 22, 2006

UGH.................

….the best word or shall I say retort, to describe when Rich is away.

I’d like to think I have learned a few things over the years of what to do and what NOT to do when the hubby is away.


Things like: go easy on my self, plan simple dinners for quick clean-up, keep an emergency stash of chocolate on hand, enjoy the kids instead of stressing about a clean house (that’s still a kicker for me), AND go to bed early!
The latter is quite important as I need a good 8-hours of sleep and it is no secret I am NOT a morning person. Fortunately, for the whole fam, Rich is a 6-hour (give or take) a night sleeper and rises with ease in the morning. So naturally he has "kid duty" each morning while I get a few extra winks of sleep. It makes for a great set-up (when he is home that is)!

Well I was feeling rather up-beat last night and there was a cute movie on TV, which is a rarity! So I did not retire until 11:00 p.m. I know for most that is a normal bedtime but it is considered late for me. I climbed into bed and quickly did the math: 11:00-6:00 a.m., oh no, only 7 hours of sleep and that is if we make it til 6 with no interruptions. Grateful, I had my vitamin B shot earlier that day. Perhaps that will make up for the lost hour, I thought. As soon as I shut my eyes my “UGH” began to unfold:

11:07 p.m. - I heard a moan uttered by my little Romeo, and then a tumble and soon Blake was at my bedside.
Me- “What’s wrong Blake”?
Blake- “Nothing”……long moan
Me- “Do you need help getting back to bed?”
Blake-“Yes”….moan…moan…moan

We made a quick pit-stop and then surprisingly Blake climbed back into his bed rather easily. As I pulled the covers up, I conveyed a quick prayer (or plea) that there would be no more interruptions and that somehow I would be a happy mom in the morning.

3:02 a.m. - 3:07 a.m. - Loud cries from Tori’s room
Fortunately, I have learned to wait it out and we both drifted back to sleep.

5:00 a.m. - LOUD birds chirping outside my window….the signs of spring nearing!
Pulled pillow over my head and sacrilegiously prayed…."Lord, pleasssseeee, help the kids not to wake anytime soon!"

5:46 a.m. – Bang, crash….sounds of Blake reading quietly (NOT) in his bed. Yes, I still had a pillow over my head….that is how loud Blake “reads”.

Did I mention my kids ALL take after their dad in the “rising early” category?

5:55 a.m. – Surprisingly, it is Skyler not Blake that has been sooo noisy, “Mom is it time to get up yet?” “Noooo honey, come lie down”. She replies, “Just making sure, you do have a tendency to oversleep.”
Good thing I have an accountability partner….not that I asked for one.

5:59 a.m. - Cute coos and babbles from Tori’s room.
There is no escaping it; my “night” is officially over….UGH!!!!!!!!

6:15 a.m. – I hear the most glorious sounds and a wonderful aroma begins to fill the house! The Grind-and-Brew went on and my one hope of “waking up” is on its way!

6:24 a.m. - My lips are firmly pressed against a hot cup of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. The “UGH” is replaced with “UMMMMMM”!!!!!!

I guess my day won’t be so bad after all!

7 comments:

Gayla said...

Oh, Michelle, this sounds all too familiar... I am SOOOOO not a morning person either. After my second son was born, Mick commented on how impressed he was at how I had become a morning person since the kids were born. I gave him an "are you crazy?" look and replied, "honey, this is acting." On the outside I'm totally, "Good morning sweetie! Did you have a good rest? I'm so happy to see you!" and on the inside I'm thinking "why on earth are you up? please leave me alone for another hour..." :-)

Beth said...

Welcome to my world too, Michelle! David is out of town (again!), has many more scheduled for the fall, and Nicholas isn't yet sleeping through the night . . . I'm soooo tired right now . . . nice to know I have someone who can totally relate though. :)

Shanygne said...

Oh man... Praying for a better night tonight! How long is Rich gone? I always stay up late when Kevin is gone... can't seem to go to sleep without him!

Danielle said...

Me too! Me too! I am learning the joys of parenting. My husband is now back at work so I take night shifts and some days I almost want to cry cause I am sooo tired. It makes me wonder how single moms do it?

Anonymous said...

I can relate... the other night Kate (who usually sleeps great) called out crying around 4am. Matt went in and Kate chirped, "is it time to get up?" Matt mumbled "NO" and about 20 minutes later, Kate called out "MOMMY!!!!" So I stumble in and she chirps, "where's my blankie... oh here it is!" ARGGGHHH.
Hang in there!!

Anonymous said...

There are some ways you and I are a lot alike. I'm so glad you're not a morning person. Misery loves company! :)

Anonymous said...

What a cute post! I am the same way when Rod is out of town. It is hard, isn't it!

Now that 2 of my 4 kids are older, I often go to bed BEFORE they do when Rod is gone. I feel like I need more sleep when I'm flying solo.

Nice to know I'm not the only one.