Long days and nights

This week has really been insane with me going back to work and Mike still very new at his job. And he works a long day at his job, plus he has to commute farther. So I have the kids both in the mornings and immediately after I get home and am trying to get dinner ready. Much crying and chaos ensues.

After our long overnight on Tuesday, I was hoping last night would be better. And it started off that way. Doesn't it always? I swear, just when you think that you've got things figured out with your kids, they change everything. I guess it keeps that parenting thing nice and challenging.

So, Anne was exhausted around 7 pm, like always, so I nursed her and put her to bed in her bassinette. She woke around 1:10 am. Awesome, she slept for 6 hours. That's really good. I happily got up and nursed her. 15 minutes later, she was sound asleep.

Now, 9 times out of 10, I can burp her (or at least try to) and she's all limp and stays sound asleep. But I don't like not trying to burp her because then she's guaranteed to get gas and wake up again 10 minutes later. As I'm sure you're suspecting, this was that magical 10th time.

I put her gently to my shoulder and give her back a pat. Out pops a burb. Shazzam! It usually takes 10 times longer, so I'm thrilled. I cradle her in my arms for transfer to the bassinette...

Wait. What's this? She's WIDE AWAKE. Smiling at me, even. This can't be good.

And it wasn't. There commenced nearly 2 hours of bouncing, patting, re-nursing, burbing, spitting upping, and yet more bouncing. Close to 3, I finally just brought her into our bed, and she did eventually drift off, as did I. Sometime thereafter (it's all a blur) I woke to find that the entire left side of my body ached from being in one position for so long, so I carefully transferred her to the bassinette and she blessedly stayed sleeping. I immediately fell back asleep.

What seemed like 5 minutes later, I hear Mike. I assume it might be close to 6 am and groan. I look at the clock. IT'S 6:30! Being the mature person that I am, I burst into tears. I need to be up by 6:15 to get everything done with the kids in the morning. It was just a long night.

I did make it through the morning. Not well, but I made it. I feel fine now, but that will come back to bite me around 3 pm when I'll be catatonic in my office. Bridget, you may need to come check on me...