Sleepless Nights

We put the babies to bed around 9:30 p.m. as per usual.

At 12:30 a.m. Natalina started crying. I went down to check on her. I straightened her blankets. She was still asleep. I went back upstairs and told my husband hopefully, although I already knew I was wrong, "maybe that will be it." But it was a cry I knew.  A cry that meant a long night ahead.

At 2 a.m. Natalina cried out for me.  "Mama. Mama! Mommy!"  I went downstairs to see her. She was still in bed, but awake.  Her pillow had fallen to the floor.  I picked it up and settled her back in bed comfortably.

At 2:40 a.m. I startled awake to see a little face peering at me in the dark.  Natalina had crept upstairs.  I gathered her in my arms and pulled her into bed with me for a few moments while I collected myself.  My husband, misunderstanding my intent said, "Well, no one is going to sleep if she's in here."  I held her for a few minutes, then hoisted her up and walked her back downstairs.  "Would you like me to shut the door?" I asked.  "No shut door.  Open door."  "Okay," I replied, "but if I leave the door open, you have to stay in bed, okay?"  "Okay."

At 3 a.m. I had left the room with the door cracked open, but, knowing my daughter, I stood outside the crack, out of view.  At 3:02 a.m. she left her bed and attempted to go upstairs again.  I intercepted her.  "Stay in bed, or I'll shut the door." I settled her back in bed.

At some point during the night, my husband actually got up and saw to her.  I don't remember when, or what the issue was that time.  I know I couldn't drag myself out of bed that time (something that has almost never happened before) so I'm happy he was able to do it.

At 4 a.m. I was awakened by the stomp of little feet up the stairs.  I met Natalina halfway up and carried her back down to bed.  "Mama, lay back," she said.  I laid on the floor of their room for about 15 minutes, then got up, pressed a kiss to her forehead and told her to go to sleep.  I left the door open a crack.

At 4:17 a.m. I was standing outside the cracked door out of view.

At 4:19 a.m. I was putting her back in bed again.  I shut the door.  "No!  No!  Open door!  Open door!  Mama! Mama!  Open door!  No closed door!"  I opened the door, resettled her and told her that if she wanted the door open, she had to stay in bed.

At 5:15 a.m. I was startled awake by a baby crying.  It was Dulce.  I settled her down and went back upstairs.

At 6:15 a.m. Natalina was headed back up the stairs. I brought her back down, and her noise awakened Dulce, who was wet through.  I changed Dulce, and the sheets on her bed.  I changed Natalina, whose diaper was also wet.  I told them sternly I would be closing the door, and they had better go to sleep.  I left to mild protests.

At 6:50 a.m. I heard the sounds of babies talking.  I ignored it for about a half hour, until Dulce raised her voice to a wail, I assume when she realized the door was shut.

At 7:20 a.m. I went downstairs and got the babies ready for the day.

I'm exhausted.  They're fresh as daisies.  How does this happen?

And now I'm expected to function.  It's a good thing I love them so much, I'll tell you what.


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