Even SuperHeroes Need Rest

Oh, sometime in the last ten days, Drew insisted it was not a day to wear normal clothes. Instead, only Superman garb would do. So, on the costume went and my energetic son set off to save the world. He was fighting off dragons, keeping me safe from intruders and protecting his little brother from harm. He was building massive structures and leaping over them. He didn't need food or water either. Each of my offers for nourishment were met with this response: "Superman is SO strong he doesn't need food, OR water, or guess what, Mommy? Superman doesn't need a NAP either!" Well, you all know that a nap is required for the Drewster, and I told him that he needed to start quieting down, because before too long, I would put him to bed for naptime. Well, shortly thereafter, the phone rang, and I was occupied for about three minutes before I realized "Hmmm, it's gotten awfully quiet around here." I walked into our bedroom and peeked around the corner to see this, complete with some pretty intense snoring.



I chuckled to myself, and grinned uncontrollably. Hah - he thought he didn't need any rest. Then I got to thinking - just like when I tell God that "I've got this. Thanks, but I'm not tired. I'm... not... w e a r y. " Sure. Okay. But then, before we know it, we've burned out. We crash. Our body demands rest to the point where we have no choice. We succumb to that which our frame requires. I do it. I hear God telling me that now is not the time. You need not do this right now. You can't do everything. No, but I can sure try. I'm telling you to rest, be still. How can I be still? Look at all that needs my attention. REST, NOW. Who needs rest? Only the weak, and I am not weak. Oh, my child. Even I needed rest. The 7th Day. Remember?

Do All the Ladies Do This?

For the last four-ish years of my life, I generally always stayed up very late, well past midnight to tend to chores that did not get completed during the day and projects that keep getting put off. Now, granted, a significant contributing factor to those late nights were because I was (or would be) up anyway taking care of one of my babies. However, Bradley is a more-than-decent sleeper, and has been for some time (yah, don't hate me - it started when he was 5 weeks old). Not to worry though- I paid my dues in the sleep department with Drew. He did not sleep through the night until he was almost 3 years (not months, years) old and he still has sleep 'disorders.' Anyway, I was explaining to my sis tonight how I have reached the point where it is no longer worth it to me to stay up every night until 12, 1 or 2 am. I have decided if it can't get done before midnight, it can just wait until tomorrow. It just seems backwards and abnormal for me to always be up so late. If I can't call it quits at a decent hour (and we all know I am not the busiest person in the world), than who can? So, I want to know - do you have a cut-off time beyond which you will not continue? Or, do you just always stay awake, late, later, way later, until it 'all' gets done?

Exciting Times on the Tractor

Guess who fell asleep on the tractor today?

Who are you... and what did you do with my child?

I am VERY HAPPY to report, that for reasons I am completely unaware of, I have been able to get Andrew to sleep (yes, you read that correctly) like a normal child the past few days.

I don't know what it is about the situation that promotes his sleeping, but desperate for help, I put him to sleep in his Pack N Play (haven't used that in a LONG time) the other day in the middle of the living room. He was refusing to nap in his room, and after overcoming his cold, was DOG-tired, and NEEDED to nap! Wouldn't you know he slept for an hour and a half?! Many of you may be thinking- why is this news? BECAUSE MY SON DOESN'T TAKE NAPS LONGER THAN 20 MINUTES!!!!

SOOO, after struggling some that evening with his sleep, I put him in the Pack N Play in our room to sleep. HE SLEPT UNTIL 9:15 AM! Folks, this is unheard of in our house- I thought something was wrong with him (you'd think I was talking about a two month old, not a two year old). BUT HE WAS TIRED, and he slept as long as he needed to.

The past few days we have been doing the same thing based on the current success of this 'method,' while interjecting a few attempts to get him to sleep in his crib. Right now, naps are in the Pack N Play, and bedtime sometimes happens in his room or ours. Now, I can just hear some of you thinking next, "you better watch out for this habit you are starting..." Guess what? We don't care if it is a habit- because Drew starts his day so much better, he responds better to discipline, he is rested, he is happier and he is not as cranky. We feel that once he is accustomed to getting the sleep he needs, we will be able to transition back to his room for sleeping. In the meantime, I am celebrating.

By the way, I'm sure now that I've blabbed about this success, my efforts will be doomed and we will be back to the same old routine. Please pray this is not the case!

Weird Dreams

The last two nights I have had some very strange dreams.

Thursday night, I dreamt that for some unknown and crazy reason, I had to fill in for David on drums at church (what!?). I was so stressed out in my dream that I had a very restless night of sleep. David would play a few songs, and then I had to 'fill-in' every few songs. I was scared stiff because I had to learn the songs, not to mention how to play drums in the first place, really fast. What made it worse was that when I would start playing, Nathan (the band leader) would get all upset because I wasn't doing it right! He kept yelling at me, saying, "Why can't you get it together?" "Why can't you play like your husband?" And I would cry, saying "Because I'm not a drummer," and "Because I can't play like my husband!" This is about as ridiculous as a dream can get, right? Well, read on...

Friday night, I dreamt that I had to fly a fighter jet (not for purposes of battle or war), but I had to fly it anyway. I was TERRIFIED! I don't remember a lot of specifics from this dream, except that after the first two flights (where I was FORCEFULLY put in the cockpit- I had no choice), I ran screaming, saying "I'm never doing this again!" I had to disguise myself so whoever was 'making' me fly this plane couldn't find me again and force me to pilot another plane!

What are some crazy, wierd dreams you've had?

Sleep, Precious Sleep

Just thought this was so cute of Andrew asleep on the couch- he crashed earlier than usual the other night.