Please! I Just Want to Sleep

It has not been a very good night. Yesterday my doctor put me on some medication to slow my contractions. Unfortunate side effects are a racing heart, shaky hands, and insomnia. Lovely.

I finally got to sleep between 10:30 and 11pm (after attempts starting at 8:30) just to be awakened by Makayla's crying at 11:45. I tended to her needs and went back to bed. Kasey got up and ready for work at 2am. And you guessed it, woke me up again. After tossing and turning for another 30 minutes or so, I got back to sleep. More crying at 4:30am. This time it was Ellie who told me she was pooey. She was NOT, but I changed her anyway figuring it would be easier than trying to convince her to go back to bed without a diaper change.

It's now 5am and I find myself in an undesirable position. I can't sleep. I could go to bed and lie there tossing and turning, hoping that sleep will overcome me. But since the girls had an early bedtime last night, it's unlikely that they will sleep much past 7. Will an hour of sleep really make me feel better?

I could stay up and try to do something constructive, like the dishes I neglected last night. However, my banging around in the kitchen will almost surely wake up the children. I've learned that children who wake up at 5 am are not happy children.

I could try reading my book, but it's so good that I'm afraid it would have the exact opposite effect of sleep.

I have so much to do tomorrow: meeting with Makayla's teacher, appointment with the doctor again, pick up dry cleaning, people coming over to clean, and on and on. I won't have time for a nap.

Dear, sweet family of mine: Why don't you understand? I just want to sleep!