So, while Sophie is definitely doing better than she was, she is still NOT a great sleeper. And it seems to be getting worse. For the last week or so, my nights have been a neverending blur of wakings, fussings, and feedings. I'm not exaggerating. LAST night for instance.
7 PM she goes down. 8 PM she's up again. I feed her thinking it will help her to finally stay asleep, but it doesn't. She goes back to sleep by 8:30, but is up again in an hour. Scott takes over holding her as I'm too tired to deal with her. He puts her back down a little after 10 and I try to go to bed as quickly after as that as possible. 12:30 to 2:30 is a blur to me of feeding her and trying to put her back down while she is fussing to be held. I think by 2 I just pulled her in bed with me thinking that would get her to sleep. Meanwhile Scott has been sleeping on our newly aquired hide-a-bed couch in the living room so that he can attempt to get a decent night's sleep. Around 3 or 4 she woke up again and I fed her again and finally managed to get her to stay asleep in the carseat -- which she's still sleeping in because she won't stay asleep in her bassinet. Up for the final time at 6, I fed her and she went right back to sleep in the carseat. Unfortunately, I couldn't even go back to sleep for very long because Scott left around 6:30 to walk to the bus stop (so yes that's how we've solved the getting to work problem) and Grace came traipsing into my room by 7 wanting breakfast. And so my day began.
I'm kind of at the breaking point. There's only so much patience you can have with 3 children under the age of 4 when you haven't slept in a week -- okay let's be honest, I haven't SLEPT in over 3 months.
Especially because of this added stress: (Dun-dun-dun)
I guess that was a bit of foreshadowing in the last post when I was worrying about the neighbor's hating us. Apparently they really do.
We got back from the zoo on Saturday to find this note tacked to our door (I think if you click on the picture it will magnify it and you can read what it says). I don't really know what else to do to keep the kids quiet. This is going to be a LONG summer.
Enter Amy 911. My youngest sister Amy is flying into town as we speak! With her here to help me out for the next month, I think I can do this. When the kids get too loud, I can send them outside with Amy to run off their energy. When the baby just needs to be held, Amy can take over while I sneak in a nap. When I need to go and pick up Scott at the bus stop in the evening, I can just leave the kids with Amy to avoid the whole hassle of loading up the whole gang. I'm beyond excited. Especially because Amy's one of the most entertaining people I know.
Alright, alright time for some pictures. I know I'm a little biased, but look how cute this little girl is. Her poor little skin. In the second picture you can see how we've had to resort to putting socks on her hands to keep her from scratching herself to pieces.
Anecdotal Notes:
Today at the library Ethan shooed a little girl about Grace's age away from him. Seriously, I'm laughing out loud as I type that because he literally said "shoo, shoo!" to her like she was some dog or cat that was making him nervous.
Over the past couple of weeks that we've been here and been introducing ourselves to new people, Grace has alternated between introducing herself as Peter Pan or Wish Bear (as in the Care Bear). She will get upset with ME even, when I call her Grace and not one of these names.
Grace also tried to eat a blue crayon at nap time the other day. I would have thought that she'd be over the phase of putting everything in her mouth by now.
Ethan popped his air mattress on Monday night with the flag he got at our ward Memorial Day picnic. All we had was scotch tape, which didn't exactly hold the air in. I thought packing tape would do a better job, so I bought some at Target yesterday, but I just went in to check on him and its already mostly deflated. That can't be comfortable. Especially since there are no sheets or blankets on it because they're still sitting in the washer waiting to be dried. Let's just say that we've had a recurring problem with wetting the bed and it took 3 weeks before I realized it would be easier on ME to just buy him some Pull-Ups for bedtime.
Alright, I'm out of stuff to write about. And I'm hungry. So, goodnight!
20 comments:
I'm so glad your sister is coming to town. Hopefully it will give you a chance to recover from giving birth since I don't think you've taken a break since then, have you?
I'm so sorry about the annoying neighbors. What goes around comes around and some day, some time, they're going to find themselves in your shoes. Trying their best to do something, and being told it's not enough. Good luck with that.
Little Spohie is adorable, I love her outfit, I had the same one for Juliette when she was about that age.
oh my- you have me terrified to have another! i guess it's a little late to go back now! at least we won't be moving any time soon and don't have to worry about cranky neighbors. i'm so sorry for you guys- that's the worst to have to walk on egg shells and be paranoid about every noise that is made in your own home, especially because you can't really control it all the time. it reminds me of vacationing with kids and trying to keep them quiet through the night. never fun. i have good stories from hawaii last summer. anyways, hang in there. i always like your stories. it helps me know i'm not alone in all this craziness. have fun with your sis- it will be so nice to have company for so long. adult conversation is always good!
sounds like you need a vacation. I'm glad your sister is coming out to help. Sorry about your neighbors, they obviously don't have kids!! Good luck!!
Where do you live? Do your neighbors sip tea all day and listen through their air vents!? Golly! Hope things get better. Glad your sister is coming to visit--I love having family come and visit and help out with kid duty!
Oh Jess! I wish I could come and whisk you guys away for a few weeks and help give you a break. Good for you (and probably your mom) in getting Amy up there pronto to lend a hand. Sorry for your crap neighbors. And no sleep. Girl, you are a trooper and we'll talk on the phone later for sure!
I've been wondering how you have been and it doesnt sound good. I know all about terrible sleepers-- it's sooo HARD. I really feel for you. You should buy your neighbors a really loud fan or something... you'd think they could be a little more understanding.
Hey Jessie Loo! I can't believe those dumb neighbors, I know that is not fun to live with! Luckily Amy's there to help and make your summer go by a little bit better. I can't wait for the summer to be over so y'all can come back to Provo! I really miss y'all!
oh p.s. give ethan, sophie, and peter pan a hug for me! xoxoxo
I love Grace's new names. Sophie is so sweet, and Ethan is a character. I love it!
So, as far as the neighbors go, yeah, well, I wish we could switch living over them for a week and then they would love to have you back. Seriously, people need to CHILL, as for the "comforts of the residents".....what about your comfort of having to walk on eggshells, seriously that can hurt after awhile! Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, DUMB! Can I send them a letter for you? Hmmmm......you could always buy ear plugs for them and place them on top of a nice plate of cookies! :)
Just one question, the letter states, "Shall not make or permit any type of disturbing noise to be made in the premises.....or permit anything to be done by any such persons that will interfere with the rights, comforts or conveniences of other occupants which in Our opinion detrimentally affects or disturbs quality of living....which disturbs or annoys other residents." Hmmmmm......incessant complaining sure does seem to fit the bill here, then again in Their (notice the capital because the O was capital in Our), maybe it makes life better for them. So, make sure you complain about every door being shut too hard, sneeze, dog barking, talking, laughing, giggling, because incessant complaining doesn't seem to bother them. Ok I think I'm done now.....mother bear comin' out, Watch out!
girl, that note has me fired up! you have got to be kidding me. first of all, that gives all the power to the person that complains! hopefully, your neighbor got a similar note that says something along the lines of, people are not silent creatures, please be a little more understanding. secondly, kelly green? that's not a real name, that's a color!
I'm glad your sister is coming into town!! My aunt came and lived with us for a few summers when I was growing up just to help my mom out and I'm still super close to her because of those summers.
I'm sorry about your neighbors! I wish people would be a little more understanding. You just can't expect complete silence in an apartment!!
Oh my gosh Jessica. I am totally feeling for you. I thought my nights were rough (our angel boy is not such a great sleeper anymore) but i will no longer complain after reading what your nights are like!!! You poor thing. Ans what a LAME letter from the management. I'm sorry but it was just lame. Please - what are you supposed to do?!?!? Perhaps they'd like you to use the tape on your kids mouths instead of the air mattress!! I mean really - this neighbor has apparently NEVER had any children of her own. Good luck to you guys. I really am happy your sister is coming.
The letter is ridiculous. I hope you find some relief with your sister's help, maybe talk to the neighbors about it? It is ridiculous! I really hope things improve.
Stephanie tagged me, and I'm passing it along to you! Please visit kmduff.blogspot.com for details!
(I know you did the list o' 100, but hey, I had to get to 8!)
Oh, I feel for you Jessica. I thank my Mom often for giving me 3 sisters to help me out. So happy your sister is coming to help. Fortunately your stay IS temporary.
wow, jessica. i am hot under the collar on your behalf regarding that letter! what is up with people? i'm guessing these neighbors don't have kids? what jerks. well, i agree with messimoo -- complain about everything they do! grrr. and poor baby sophie!! lindsey and bradley have both had eczema since birth, and it's been so sad at times.
Hey Jess, I am sorry to hear all this but hope you are getting some respite now with your sister there.
Your baby is a darling one. Hope it doesn't sound know it all like or anything. But just wondering if you stopped using soaps on her. I found even the stuff meant for babes with eczema irritated my K. Jusat using water and even limiting his baths if you live somewhere with hard water helped and using Aveeno lotion. I am sure you are doing all you can for her. Have a good weekend!
I always enjoy reading the adventures of jessica and her kiddos. You always seem to handle it so well.
I can't believe Sophie is getting so big. She is darling (as are the other two as well).
Hey girl, has the storm quieted since amy 911 arrived? hope you guys have a better summer than this past week. love ya and miss ya!
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