operation GO TO SLEEP!

I haven't been running. Well, not totally, I have been hopping on the treadmill for 10 minute sessions here and there just to keep my sanity. It works like a charm, ten minutes on the treadmill and I can tackle any kitchen sink full of dishes or pile of laundry. Wearing my sneakers is comparable to a superhero cape, they make me feel a bit invincible. Forget the Valium, all this mommy needs is a quick shot of endorphins.
But serious mileage hasn't happened lately. I'm not going to lie, I'm freaking exhausted.

When Rowen was a baby, we sort of fell into a pattern of co-sleeping. And Rich and I were both OK with it. Then Kain came along. The four of us didn't fit into our Queen size bed, so Kain was put in a bassinet, and then crib, next to our bed. And everyone was OK with it. Until one night, I don't remember when or how, Kain ended up in bed too. Next thing you knew , Rich moved to a different bed in order to get a full nights sleep (lucky). And again, we were all OK with it. (maybe I was a bit jealous, but OK none the less).

But over the last few months, things have started to change. And I for one, am not OK with it. You see, sweet, almost 8 month old baby Kain, has become a night owl. The once decent sleeper now wakes up every hour or two. He does not cry, he does not fuss, he does not want to eat. He just wants to play. And, the best part, is he wants YOU to play too. He lets you know this by jabbing his fat little baby fingers in your eyeballs, yanking your hair, or sticking that fat fist in your mouth and giving you a baby fishhook. If that doesn't immediately work, he rolls over to his unsuspecting brother, and starts pulling on his hair/clothes/face. Usually at that point, big brother wakes up, and that is when Kain steals his sippy cup, purely to annoy his older brother (I swear at 8 months old he is capable of this sort of spite!)


Usually, this wrestling match goes on every few hours until about 6:00 a.m., when I cave and get up. Over the last month, I've notice my energy levels are, well, gone. My immune system has no doubt suffered, since I spent the last two months with my mystery cough (almost gone) and then a nasty case of mastitis.


Monday morning, I put both boys into the BOB stroller, and headed out for a run. It was all I could do to muster up the energy to run 100 yards. I know that sucker is heavy, but come on, this was ridiculous. As I looked down at my boys , I couldn't help but laugh...they were both fast asleep. 8:30 in the morning and on their first nap of the day. It was right then I decided enough was enough, everybody was getting kicked out of my bed (except for Rich, who was re-invited back in). EVERYONE is sleep deprived, and it's about time we fix it. And thus began "Operation GO TO SLEEP!"


Monday I worked at 15 hour shift at work and didn't get home until midnight, so I was too chicken to start this massive undertaking. So last night, I mustered up the courage, and we began methods from the "No Cry Sleep Solution" with Kain. And by "we" I mean me, all alone, because Rich works late most nights. My night went something like this:

9:15-Rowen and Kain both fell asleep downstairs. Put Kain in bed. He wakes up. Rub his back, he falls asleep

9:30 transfer Rowen from funky position in rocking chair to his bed

9:35 Kain screams. rub his back (no talking or picking him up), back to sleep
9:45 repeat
9:55 repeat
10:05 repeat (i swear it was like clockwork)
10:15 repeat
10:30....nothing. silence. It's too good to be true!! I zone out to some MTV and facebook, loving the silence.

11:30-I hear it through the monitor: Rowen busts into my room (literally, slams the door wide open) jumps into my bed and starts screaming "MOMMY where ARE you??" Baby wakes up screaming. ugh.

It took me the next hour to get everyone settled and back to sleep, but I did it. So imagine my surprise, when at 1:30 am I am awoken by the biggest flipping thunderstorm we have had to date. I thought our house was about to be lifted off the ground and headed straight for Oz. And guess who else the storm woke up: Rowen and Kain. I think the three of us went back to be around 2:30 (when i was convinced the storm wasn't going to sweep us away). Kain woke up about three more times, until 5:45 when I caved and let him come into bed so I could get one solid hour of sleep. And one solid hour was all I got, because at 6:45 I was given the official baby Kain "wake up" fish hook. pleasant!


So anyway, that's where I'm at this week. Not marathon training, but sleep training. Such is the life of a running mom. It sucks, but I know persistence will pay off in the end. I dream of the day I get 8 consecutive hours of sleep. Any similar stories of encouragement you have I would love to hear. Incase you didn't notice by the book, I'm not a huge fan of just tossing the baby in the crib and letting him cry himself to sleep. Not really my thing :)


But before I go:

1) Thanks to Kelly at "Secrets of a Running Mom", I was pointed in the direction of a really cool website. It's brand new, and needs help of runners like you and me. Racevine is a site where you can read reviews from other runners about races all over the country. You can also review races that you have run in, and answer questions about things such as "were there enough port-a-potties" and rate the goodies at the end of the race. I sort of wish I had read something about the VA Beach Rock and Roll half before I dropped my $80 a few months ago, because now I'm hearing nothing but bad news...such as insane crowds and HOT weather. Oh well, it will be an experience that's for sure! So anyway, check it out! I've done a few reviews already, here is an example of one of mine for the Myrtle Beach half marathon (since I am a seasoned pro at this one after all, haha. )

2) I entered a really stupid funny photo of some strangers butts in RunnerDude's "funniest photo contest". It was a memorable moment from the 2007 Cooper River Bridge Run, and when these guys passed me, I was glad I had my camera, haha! So, check it out, and if I may be so bold, you should vote for "H". I was winning, and now I'm loosing, and I'm far too competitive to lose. I'm just saying:) Besides my alterior motives in having you visit RunnerDude's blog, you should check it out simply because it has a plethora of information about running. In just the past few weeks that I've been following his blog, I've read about various ways to carbload, different gel reviews, sock reviews, you name it. It's great!

3) The Happy Runner has turned one (yaay!) and in order to enter her "readers rock" giveaway, I must now provide you with the link. http://thehappyrunner.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-birthday-bonanza.html Check itout!

happy running my friends :)