The Universe must have read my blog yesterday because it threw me for another loop around 3:00 this morning. My sleep pattern has been reduced to a series of naps in the past few days. Last night just as my brain was enjoying a pleasant dream, my entire being was shaken by my son. No, literally, he had to shake me awake asking me if he could take a shower. He had an accident in his bed. Which he never, ever does. Except if he’s getting sick. He didn’t want me to just change his sheets. He wanted a shower. I knew what that meant. Shower=son awake. Son awake=no sleep for me. I could just hear the Sleep Nazi shouting it, “No sleep for you!” Alright, Universe, I hear you loud and clear.
I changed the bedclothes with the delicious numbness of sleep still in my fingers. Then the dog wanted to go outside, so the brisk winter chill hit my face, driving away those last few tinglings of sleep. By 3:30, my boy was completely and utterly wide-eyed awake. There was no sleeping to be had by then. I did what any good mother would do at that point. I handed him the iPad and told him to stay in his bed until the sun came up. Then my weary body crawled back into bed, begging to be horizontal if not asleep.
Yep, that lasted for about 20 minutes.
First he somehow wrangled the dog into his bed, which resulted in some war whoops. Then he padded out to the living room. Considering he once painted the dog with green food coloring while left alone for about 45 seconds, I knew this would not end well. So I went into the kitchen and made us some waffles. (Hey, they were the Eggo kind. Because I’m not that good.) He was even allowed to eat them in the living room. Thank God for iPads because he played it for a good hour while I sat, catatonic, in the recliner. I’m hoping for an early bedtime tonight to make up for it. Now that it’s been said out loud, I’m knocking on every bit of wood I can find.
Don’t worry Universe, I’m not pushing my luck!
LOL FUNNY – As the mother of 10, I’m feel’n your pain. Dang, what I would have given for an iPad or 2 (or 10) when mine were still at home. Your son sounds so much like my oldest, it brought back fond (ok, some not so fond) memories.
LOL. I remember those days. Just keep the paint locked up in the future…
For the record — it was food coloring!! He bit through the plastic tube and finger painted it on the dog. She had big handprints on her back and her ears were completely covered. UGH that was not fun.
I edited that in the post so people wouldn’t think I just have paint cans lying around.
I don’t miss those days of feeling sleepless every day! We don’t have an ipad but my Kindle Fire has definitely helped out with days like this (and so have the Eggo waffles)!
Oh I am so sorry. I do hope he doesn’t get sick. And I hope you get a full nights sleep tonight
I feel your pain. I hope you get a good night sleep!
Haha, good luck with the sleep patterns, I know it can be tricky trying to accommodate a child’s rhythm. If only us adults could function for hours on an hour of sleep!
Yes! Distractions at that time of night are very unwelcome. I think I would have put up a child gate and put in my ear plugs!
My daughter was up at 3:00 this morning as well, and would not go back to sleep. It sure makes for a tiring day! I can’t wait until she’s old enough to entertain herself for a while, while I head back to bed for a couple of hours!
What did we do before these things? I remember reading books and watching the same DVD 100 times when they were sick. Thank God for iPads for sure!
Thank God for technology right! Hope you get some good sleep tonight!
I still don’t have one, but would love to get one for when I don’t want to sit at the computer.
Ugh! Gotta love those early mornings. I often think what mom’s used to do to keep their kids entertained before the world of smartphones and tablets. TGFI is correct!
iPads ARE truly amazing.
My friend who is in video production, has been behind the scenes of some Super Bowl commercials, uses his iPad as a teleprompter, and shoot videos, too.
I’ve actually never had the opportunity to use an iPad. I’m always reading about really cool apps and reading posts about them and I’m dying to try one out. They look like so much fun!
We have two little ones at home and we are so thankful for the ipads, especially for road trips. It keeps them entertained and they are learning at the same time.
iPads, iPods, my kindle fire…whatever it takes…if it buys me a half hour of peace and I can “nap” – I will take it!!!
iPads for all ages. I would like to have one for myself.
We had nothing like the iPad back 40 years ago when I could have used one. Sleep well.
Nothing like a ipad I wish I had one when I was younger!
Ipads definitely provide a good diversion for kids! As long as they don’t get dropped.
Sure sounds like my family when the kids were little, except there was not any Ipads then…just coloring books. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
TGFI is right! My daughter(8 1/2) uses hers when she wakes up before me and/or when she can’t sleep. My mom would have LOVED to have one of these! My brother was not a good sleeper and still isn’t.
How about a warm bubble bath for your son? With lavender oils in it?
Great idea!
Too funny. I dont have kids but babysat before so can relate.