I used to have one of the greatest blessings in life – the gift of being able to sleep well. Being a heavy sleeper has been been wonderful because I could sleep anywhere. Loud dorm rooms, uncomfortable couches or hotel rooms were no problem for me because as soon as my eyes were closed, I would be hitting my REM cycle within 15 minutes. When I lived alone, I would get concerned if there was a severe weather threat because I’m pretty sure a tornado could have taken the roof of my building without waking me up.
If you haven’t guessed yet, the key words were “used to.” I am slowly coming to the realization that I might not sleep for eight uninterrupted hours ever again. Ever. Or at least for 18 years.
It started innocently at first. One night, my bladder couldn’t make it to the morning alarm and sent me stumbling to the bathroom before the sun rise. But then that happened the next night. And the next. Now, I can roll out of bed, step over the cat, find my way to the commode and back under the covers without fully opening up my eyes.
As my body got used to the once-a-night disruption, God must have decided that was no longer enough. I started having the crazy pregnancy dreams that I read about in baby books. Strangely, these dreams had nothing to do with the baby. I dreamed about boats and oil pipelines, houses and even my sister’s upcoming wedding. Even though there weren’t any babies in these dreams, I started waking up every couple of hours just like it will be when our little girl is out of the womb and into her crib.
Unfortunately, my motherhood sleep training isn’t yet complete. A couple of nights ago, I asked the Lord, “Lord, I would really like to skip the dreams tonight. Can I please have a night with no dreams? Please and thank you.” Well, I should have been a bit more specific in my request…the Lord answered my prayer and gave me a night with no dreams. That night I also had no sleep. I was wide awake every hour or less, staring and the ceiling. I didn’t have a dream because I don’t think I was ever asleep long enough to hit that REM cycle.
As I reluctantly complete my training, I say goodbye to something I once took for granted. Goodbye, full night of sleep. I shall miss you.
2 Comments
Beth Wolf
Before bed try a relaxing bath or have Rafa give you a foot message. Also go buy a pregancy pillow. You can use it now to sleep and later to breast feed.
Bridget
I am right there with you girl- it is no fun…especially since this is the time we are supposed to get good sleep to prepare for what is to come!! Guess it’s mother nature’s way of preparing us. On a good night now, I get 2-3 consecutive hours of sleep…lots of waking up and not being able to fall back asleep. But good news is, once these kiddos are older the 8 hours WILL return. It has to! 🙂