Things are most defintely NOT getting better in terms of us or Peepers sleeping. We do the separate bed thing once a week each but it is still very very exhausting and emotionally taxing. Especially for me. When I’m tired the emotional strain is at it’s worst. That is when I sometimes just have to walk away. I have a hard time dealing with the crying. I feel like a failure because sometimes I am just unable to soothe and calm her. I know it’s only been a few weeks since she and I have been physically mother and daughter, but it is hard because for so long I have been attached to her and it will take time for her to get attached to me. She knows I am her mom and she looks for me if I move, etc. But I have to try and understand the great amount of change this little person has had in the short 8 months of her life. And, I have to accept that she just might never be a good sleeper. (I can’t think about that yet).
Because I seem to have a memory loss of anything not sunshine and roses from when Minnow was just home, I went back and re-read many of the entries I wrote in his first few months home. I was delirously tired well into december (four months after he had come home). I can note that he slept a little better but was still getting up 3 times a night and waking up early everyday for quite some time. It is just harder now because I have an ACTIVE toddler and am two years older than I was last time. I am muddling through and Hubby is much more patient with the crying and knows when I am on the edge and he steps in and takes her so that my frazzled nerves can settle down. I don’t expect to be getting more or better sleep anytime soon. When in doubt lower your expectations and survive.
But boy she sure is cute.
Embracing Imperfection 
She definitely is cute!!!!! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
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Hard to believe that someone so beautiful has the power to keep an entire family from sleeping! Hang in there.
When you say that you have a hard time with the crying, it reminds me of when my kiddo was little. It was ~my~ crying I couldn’t deal with. 🙂 I still remember the exact moment when I realized I’d have to choose between crying and sleep because I couldn’t do both at once.
Hopefully things settle soon. Best wishes to you, and Peepers you let mommy get some sleep!
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There isn’t even a word to describe how cute she is!!!!
You are NOT a failure in any sense of the word. If any mother says she hasn’t felt this way, she is either lying, forgetting, or she had a live-in nanny. You’ve hit on something else too in that dads do better than the crying than moms do. I used to have my husband take our first infant/toddler comb OUT OF THE HOUSE just so I could sleep. Do whatever you have to do to get through it (I hear that a summer drive to the north country is helpful…) (-:
Love ya!
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She is adorable.
My friend whose daughter came home in Jan is still struggling. You’re not alone in that. And, yes, do whatever you have to do to get through it!
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She is positively beautiful….but that doesn’t make the lack of sleep much easier. Take it from a Mom of 5, some bio and one adopted, sleep is a major issue with most kids. I had a couple kids that were pretty easy in the sleep department, but more of them led me to total exhaustion many times. My oldest (now 13) was the worst, but she has been a sound, independent sleeper for a VERY LONG time now. There is light at the end of the tunnel. 8^)
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She’s adorable!!! Ooo, those first fews months are killer! Hang in there!
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She is so cute! Hang in there, Dawn. It will get better and you are doing great. If there is something I can do to help at all — let me know, seriously!
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She’s a doll (you know this). I wish I lived closer, muffin. We’ve had a rough couple weeks here too–as in Amelie decided that since she turned two, no need for naps. For two weeks straight. Somebody hold me! As with all things parenting, try something new until you find something that works for the kiddo. No two are alike, you know? Have you tried a sling? Still my go to “calm them down” device. Last night Amelie and I got Brayson to sleep by plopping him in there and dancing to one of her home movies (because (1) they’re her favorite TV EVER, and (2) I put bad ass rap soundtracks in them, yo). Worked like a charm 🙂
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Hi Dawn,
Okay-thanks for that post. Our case goes to court July 25th and Ruby is all I can think about. It’s a good thing to be reminded that it won’t be all “sunshine and roses” once she arrives. Maybe I should take advantage of this looong wait and take a nap.
By the way, Peepers is absolutely beautiful! I love her sweet little smile!!
Best wishes on a good night’s sleep tonight!
Rebecca O.
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What a cutie! Hang in there!
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