I never thought I would be writing about sleep so much. We take it for granted. A friend of mine wrote a great blog article about how beds are God's gift to humanity. I kind of miss sleep, but these early, early mornings seem to be the only time I can get anything done, so maybe that's a gift from God too.
I know Amber wanted to tell the following story in her blog, but I can't wait any longer. Maybe if she also tells the story we can link so you compare our views.
We just got back from our trip across the prairies with 2 toddlers under 3 years old (Tip: buy a portable DVD player and bring all your Veggie Tales movies). We left Wednesday around 6:30 and drove straight for about 3 hours before we stopped at a motel in Medicine Hat for the night. We let the boys jump on the bed and watch a little Treehouse TV to calm down, but they had slept a good portion of the way there and they weren't tired.
We put Josh in a playpen and Daniel on his little sleeping bag/mattress and turned out the lights around 10:30. Motel curtains block out way more light than miniblinds so it wasn't long before Daniel found his way to my side of the bed and said, "Daddy, I'm scared of the dark."
"What are you scared of sweetie?"
"Just the dark"
"Okay, come sleep with Daddy for a while."
About 10 minutes later, his eyes had adjusted a little and I said "It's not so dark anymore is it? You can see the TV and the bathroom door and your bed."
"I'm not scared of the dark anymore!"
This should have been the end of it, but some time later Josh is still rolling around in the playpen and Daniel is trying to get comfortable and I can't fall asleep. I turn to Amber and whisper, "I'm hungry".
This sets off a chain reaction and we end up calling 2 pizza places to find someone who will deliver to our hotel at 11:00pm. We get the boys up and turn the lights on and we have a midnight picnic watching cartoons.
It's about 12:30 by the time we finally get back to bed. I turn on the bathroom light and leave the door open a little so it's not so dark. I think this is the latest the boys have ever been up but I'm sure this was an anomaly and they will definitely sleep better while we're on vacation. Or not.
Tuesday, June 28
Sunday, June 26
Sleepless nights
I don't know what it is. I haven't had a full night of uninterrupted sleep for months now. At least since Amber got pregnant.
Some nights it will be Josh crying out. Sometimes Daniel will come into our room and want to sleep with us. Sometimes it's my mind racing and I can't stop thinking about stuff. It's different each night but even though we just got back from a 10 day vacation, I don't feel particularly rested and when Daniel woke up coughing and sick at 3:00, I had a feeling I'd be up for the day. I got him back to bed pretty easily but my mind was awake and worrying about all sorts of stuff.
I decided to spend some time catching up on over a week's worth of email and around 5:00, the computer froze up, which I took as a sign that I should try to go back to bed for at least a couple hours. My head had barely hit the pillow when I hear Josh weakly cry, "Mommy, Daddy." I got up and went in to see what his problem was. He had his pillow, blanket, soother, and stuffed sheep right next to him. He saw me and smiled and quietly said, "Daddy!" I gave him a hug and kiss and got him tucked in nice and cozy and he is asleep again. But I'm up now.
I've never been a light sleeper and I don't have trouble falling asleep at night - I will often doze off watching TV around 11:00, but ever since Daniel was born, I've had trouble going back to bed after about 3:00. With him, I actually went into work a few times around 5:00 and have done a few marathon housecleaning/laundry sessions under the stars.
I thought this would be over with now that Joshie is mostly sleeping through the night. But I guess God is preparing me for those 2 am feedings next winter. I'm actually looking forward to them.
Some nights it will be Josh crying out. Sometimes Daniel will come into our room and want to sleep with us. Sometimes it's my mind racing and I can't stop thinking about stuff. It's different each night but even though we just got back from a 10 day vacation, I don't feel particularly rested and when Daniel woke up coughing and sick at 3:00, I had a feeling I'd be up for the day. I got him back to bed pretty easily but my mind was awake and worrying about all sorts of stuff.
I decided to spend some time catching up on over a week's worth of email and around 5:00, the computer froze up, which I took as a sign that I should try to go back to bed for at least a couple hours. My head had barely hit the pillow when I hear Josh weakly cry, "Mommy, Daddy." I got up and went in to see what his problem was. He had his pillow, blanket, soother, and stuffed sheep right next to him. He saw me and smiled and quietly said, "Daddy!" I gave him a hug and kiss and got him tucked in nice and cozy and he is asleep again. But I'm up now.
I've never been a light sleeper and I don't have trouble falling asleep at night - I will often doze off watching TV around 11:00, but ever since Daniel was born, I've had trouble going back to bed after about 3:00. With him, I actually went into work a few times around 5:00 and have done a few marathon housecleaning/laundry sessions under the stars.
I thought this would be over with now that Joshie is mostly sleeping through the night. But I guess God is preparing me for those 2 am feedings next winter. I'm actually looking forward to them.
Wednesday, June 15
Anywhere but my own bed
Josh is becoming such an independent little boy. At times. He's still clingy and loves cuddles and is becoming more of a Daddy's boy, but that's not what today's story is about.
Last night we had our usual routine. Amber put Josh to bed while Daniel and I read stories and watched a little Star Wars (yes, he still loves it). Josh had been in his room with the gate up for about half an hour when I brought Daniel up to go to bed.
I heard Josh snoring but I couldn't see him on his bed. It looked like he might be in a pile of blankets on the floor, but no, he had crawled into Daniel's bed with his pillow and stuffed sheep and sleeping blissfully.
Now, I have a (almost) sleeping (almost) three-year-old in my arms and I don't know what to do with him. I can't put him in Josh's bed cause he doesn't have a pillow and will likely notice right away that he's in the wrong bed when I put him down. We are lucky to have a playpen set up in our bedroom for such a time as this.
After Daniel has fallen asleep, I head off to bed. Josh starts crying almost instantly. I guess he realized something was wrong and couldn't figure out where he was. So, Amber brought Josh to bed with me and he fell asleep peacefully beside me.
Later that night, after Amber had moved Josh back to his bed and taken down the gate, the pattering of little feet can be heard in our hallway. We live in a 4-plex so there are always strange noises, but this sounded like someone on our stairs. Josh had gotten out of his bed and gone downstairs at 1:30am looking for something. He came back up and ran to our room.
I don't know what was up. He seemed to want to be everywhere but his own bed. He usually loves his bed and pillow. We took the side off his crib to make it a toddler bed and have had virtually no problems with him climbing out. But I guess he's getting older and wants to do things on his own terms.
We're heading out on a 2 week trip across the Prairies tonight, so I'm sure there will be lots of stories when we get back.
Last night we had our usual routine. Amber put Josh to bed while Daniel and I read stories and watched a little Star Wars (yes, he still loves it). Josh had been in his room with the gate up for about half an hour when I brought Daniel up to go to bed.
I heard Josh snoring but I couldn't see him on his bed. It looked like he might be in a pile of blankets on the floor, but no, he had crawled into Daniel's bed with his pillow and stuffed sheep and sleeping blissfully.
Now, I have a (almost) sleeping (almost) three-year-old in my arms and I don't know what to do with him. I can't put him in Josh's bed cause he doesn't have a pillow and will likely notice right away that he's in the wrong bed when I put him down. We are lucky to have a playpen set up in our bedroom for such a time as this.
After Daniel has fallen asleep, I head off to bed. Josh starts crying almost instantly. I guess he realized something was wrong and couldn't figure out where he was. So, Amber brought Josh to bed with me and he fell asleep peacefully beside me.
Later that night, after Amber had moved Josh back to his bed and taken down the gate, the pattering of little feet can be heard in our hallway. We live in a 4-plex so there are always strange noises, but this sounded like someone on our stairs. Josh had gotten out of his bed and gone downstairs at 1:30am looking for something. He came back up and ran to our room.
I don't know what was up. He seemed to want to be everywhere but his own bed. He usually loves his bed and pillow. We took the side off his crib to make it a toddler bed and have had virtually no problems with him climbing out. But I guess he's getting older and wants to do things on his own terms.
We're heading out on a 2 week trip across the Prairies tonight, so I'm sure there will be lots of stories when we get back.
Monday, June 13
Morning (?) Sick
Well, it's confirmed now. If the pregnancy test wasn't enough, Amber has been going through all the symptoms she had with Daniel and Josh, if not more.
- Pregnancy Brain - she forgot her wallet twice in two days, once at a friend's house and once in a car
- Morning Sickness - she's been nauseous and feeling sick the last few days
- Appetite - she's always been a very small eater but lately has been keeping up to the rest of the family
- Tiny bladder - 'nuff said
- Belly - suprisingly at 7 weeks she seems to be showing, even though she's been working out at the gym way more than ever
Saturday, June 4
Daniel: Episode III
As in the Star Wars saga itself, I think Episode III will be the darkest and saddest portion of our tale.
The other night Daniel wanted to watch Star Wars before bed again. I decided to put in Return of the Jedi thinking he'd like the Ewoks. Well, I was right. He thought they were very cute and whenever the scene would move, he'd ask to see the "jungle parts".
After a while, he wanted to see Darth Vader and asked if there was a big sword fight in this one. He also asked if Darth Vader was going to take his helmet off. I don't know why he knew that - this boy just knows stuff.
I put it to the end for the Luke/Vader fight. Luke cuts off Vader's hand and then the Emperor comes to get Luke to turn to the dark side. Luke says no and the Emperor shoots him with force lightning. I thought that would be a little too scary so I fast forwarded through the electrocution bits and the Emperor getting thrown in the pit and stopped at the scene where Vader unmasks.
Luke and his father share this touching moment and Vader dies in his arms.
"Daddy, is Darth Vader sick?"
"Yes buddy, he's pretty sick."
With a shaking, tearfilled voice, "Is Luke going to take him to the doctor?"
I nearly cry at this. Daniel's favorite character is hurt really bad and he doesn't know how to deal with it. His heart is breaking and he doesn't know why. I don't know what to say.
"Luke's going to take Darth Vader to the doctor Daddy. He's going to take him to the hospital"
"He's going to be okay buddy," I lie.
How do you talk to a toddler who isn't yet three years old about death? I guess I'll have to get a book from the library or something.
So often he acts so much older. He hungers and thirsts for information. He watches and observes so much and remembers things months later. We want to get him into some sort of preschool in the fall, but we're not even sure where we'll be living in September. I don't want to push him, but I don't want to hold him back either.
Man, this parenting thing is tough. Changing diapers is nothing.
The other night Daniel wanted to watch Star Wars before bed again. I decided to put in Return of the Jedi thinking he'd like the Ewoks. Well, I was right. He thought they were very cute and whenever the scene would move, he'd ask to see the "jungle parts".
After a while, he wanted to see Darth Vader and asked if there was a big sword fight in this one. He also asked if Darth Vader was going to take his helmet off. I don't know why he knew that - this boy just knows stuff.
I put it to the end for the Luke/Vader fight. Luke cuts off Vader's hand and then the Emperor comes to get Luke to turn to the dark side. Luke says no and the Emperor shoots him with force lightning. I thought that would be a little too scary so I fast forwarded through the electrocution bits and the Emperor getting thrown in the pit and stopped at the scene where Vader unmasks.
Luke and his father share this touching moment and Vader dies in his arms.
"Daddy, is Darth Vader sick?"
"Yes buddy, he's pretty sick."
With a shaking, tearfilled voice, "Is Luke going to take him to the doctor?"
I nearly cry at this. Daniel's favorite character is hurt really bad and he doesn't know how to deal with it. His heart is breaking and he doesn't know why. I don't know what to say.
"Luke's going to take Darth Vader to the doctor Daddy. He's going to take him to the hospital"
"He's going to be okay buddy," I lie.
How do you talk to a toddler who isn't yet three years old about death? I guess I'll have to get a book from the library or something.
So often he acts so much older. He hungers and thirsts for information. He watches and observes so much and remembers things months later. We want to get him into some sort of preschool in the fall, but we're not even sure where we'll be living in September. I don't want to push him, but I don't want to hold him back either.
Man, this parenting thing is tough. Changing diapers is nothing.
Friday, June 3
Daniel: Episode II
Not so long ago in a living room not so far, far away...
The night after our Star Wars date, Daniel wanted to do it again. "Daddy can we watch Star Wars again?"
"No, sweetie, Star Wars isn't on tonight."
"But I like Star Wars! Can we watch it again pleeeease????"
I thought this was too cute and how many more years will I get of my boy begging to watch a movie with me? So, I dug out my DVDs and put in The Empire Strikes Back, thinking that since he was such a fan of Yoda in Attack of the Clones, this would be a good introduction to the original series.
I fast forwarded to the Yoda parts. Daniel loved the part where the big fish ate R2D2 and spit him out on the shore. "Daddy, it's just like Jonah!" He loved Yoda teaching Luke how to stand on his head. He loved Yoda smacking Artoo with his cane.
But, somehow he found a new favorite. We ended up watching Darth Vader and Daniel loved it. He was enthralled by the light saber fight. Then at the climactic scene he said "Daddy, what's Darth Vader saying?"
He said, "I am your father"
"Why is Luke yelling? Why did he jump in the hole?"
We watched parts of the movie a few more times that week. Daniel always wanted to see the part where Luke is yelling "Artoo! Artoo!" at the water. And especially, "Let's watch the sword fight with the Father part. Where Luke jumps in the hole."
I don't think he understands though because we were watching the beginning, where Darth Vader is chasing Han and Leia out of the base and Daniel says "Don't worry Daddy. Darth Vader is going to save them." I couldn't break it to him that Darth Vader is the bad guy. He's Daniel's favorite. Maybe he sees the good in him. :)
"No, sweetie, Star Wars isn't on tonight."
"But I like Star Wars! Can we watch it again pleeeease????"
I thought this was too cute and how many more years will I get of my boy begging to watch a movie with me? So, I dug out my DVDs and put in The Empire Strikes Back, thinking that since he was such a fan of Yoda in Attack of the Clones, this would be a good introduction to the original series.
I fast forwarded to the Yoda parts. Daniel loved the part where the big fish ate R2D2 and spit him out on the shore. "Daddy, it's just like Jonah!" He loved Yoda teaching Luke how to stand on his head. He loved Yoda smacking Artoo with his cane.
But, somehow he found a new favorite. We ended up watching Darth Vader and Daniel loved it. He was enthralled by the light saber fight. Then at the climactic scene he said "Daddy, what's Darth Vader saying?"
He said, "I am your father"
"Why is Luke yelling? Why did he jump in the hole?"
We watched parts of the movie a few more times that week. Daniel always wanted to see the part where Luke is yelling "Artoo! Artoo!" at the water. And especially, "Let's watch the sword fight with the Father part. Where Luke jumps in the hole."
I don't think he understands though because we were watching the beginning, where Darth Vader is chasing Han and Leia out of the base and Daniel says "Don't worry Daddy. Darth Vader is going to save them." I couldn't break it to him that Darth Vader is the bad guy. He's Daniel's favorite. Maybe he sees the good in him. :)
Daniel: Episode I
Daniel has always been a huge fan of Veggie Tales. From the time he was about 4 months old, he would lay quietly and watch a Veggies movie. His first word was "Bob" (the Tomato.) But recently he has become something of a Star Wars fan.
A few weeks ago, Attack of the Clones was on TV and I was watching a little bit before we put the boys to bed. I thought it would be a good refresher before we went to go see Episode III. Amber had just taken Josh up to bed and Daniel came in and said, "Daddy, who's that frog?"
"That's Yoda. He's not a frog"
"Oh, does he jump?"
"Well, yes. At the end he jumps a lot"
"Can we watch him jump?"
So I look at the clock and it's about quarter after 8. I think to myself. Hmmm it's probably over around 9:00. That's pushing the limits of Daniel's bedtime but if we count this as his storytime, it won't be too bad. Daniel gets his jammies on and we cuddle on the couch and watch the epic tale of good and evil. Daniel is enthralled and quietly asks questions the whole time.
"Daddy who's that? Are they having a big sword fight? Is Yoda going to jump? Where's that space ship going? Where did Star Wars go? What's a commercial? Is Star Wars coming back?"
I misjudged the length of the movie with commercials. Yoda didn't have his big "frog-jumping" battle with Count Dooku until about 9:50. I think it was definitely worth it. He loved it. He was possibly more excited about the ending though. "Are Ani and Padme getting married? Like Mommy and Daddy? Ooooh.... they are getting married. Like Uncle Adam and Beckie. Are they happy?"
Well, Daniel hasn't quite given up on Veggies yet, but Star Wars has become a new favorite. We'll pick this up in Daniel: Episode II.
A few weeks ago, Attack of the Clones was on TV and I was watching a little bit before we put the boys to bed. I thought it would be a good refresher before we went to go see Episode III. Amber had just taken Josh up to bed and Daniel came in and said, "Daddy, who's that frog?"
"That's Yoda. He's not a frog"
"Oh, does he jump?"
"Well, yes. At the end he jumps a lot"
"Can we watch him jump?"
So I look at the clock and it's about quarter after 8. I think to myself. Hmmm it's probably over around 9:00. That's pushing the limits of Daniel's bedtime but if we count this as his storytime, it won't be too bad. Daniel gets his jammies on and we cuddle on the couch and watch the epic tale of good and evil. Daniel is enthralled and quietly asks questions the whole time.
"Daddy who's that? Are they having a big sword fight? Is Yoda going to jump? Where's that space ship going? Where did Star Wars go? What's a commercial? Is Star Wars coming back?"
I misjudged the length of the movie with commercials. Yoda didn't have his big "frog-jumping" battle with Count Dooku until about 9:50. I think it was definitely worth it. He loved it. He was possibly more excited about the ending though. "Are Ani and Padme getting married? Like Mommy and Daddy? Ooooh.... they are getting married. Like Uncle Adam and Beckie. Are they happy?"
Well, Daniel hasn't quite given up on Veggies yet, but Star Wars has become a new favorite. We'll pick this up in Daniel: Episode II.
Thursday, June 2
Two lines
What a strange day.
Daniel and I went to go pick up supper last night and do a few errands. We stopped at Safeway and got a pregnancy test. When we got up to the till, the cashier scanned it through and scanned my cards. We then had this unlikely conversation:
Her: So, Mr. McInnis, does your wife know you are buying this for her?
Me: Umm... yeah (not really wanting to talk about this with a stranger)
Her: Is it... good news?
Me: Oh, yeah, it's good.
Her: That's excellent. I have 4 myself
Me: Well, I have 2 under 3 right now and this will be the third.
Her: (smiling widely) That's awesome. Good for you Mr. McInnis. Keep it up. Bye.
I can't imagine that situation coming up in the Safeway cashier training sessions.
Anyway, Amber got to pee on a stick this morning and as you have probably deduced from the title of this section, there were 2 lines. We're on our way to the perfect family - three boys. :)
I am excited about this, but it means that I have less than 9 months to find a van. We have been driving a little 2-door hatchback since before Amber got pregnant the first time. It's been tight with two carseats, but there are only 4 seatbelts, so we can't put it off much longer.
I know that's probably not the emotional outlet and expression of my feelings that it should be, but I'm not real good with sharing personal stuff. I'd rather talk about anything else - might be a guy thing. Maybe this blog will help me with that.
But I have to end with a happy face. I am more than okay with this slightly unexpected turn of events. I look forward to going on this journey again. :)
Daniel and I went to go pick up supper last night and do a few errands. We stopped at Safeway and got a pregnancy test. When we got up to the till, the cashier scanned it through and scanned my cards. We then had this unlikely conversation:
Her: So, Mr. McInnis, does your wife know you are buying this for her?
Me: Umm... yeah (not really wanting to talk about this with a stranger)
Her: Is it... good news?
Me: Oh, yeah, it's good.
Her: That's excellent. I have 4 myself
Me: Well, I have 2 under 3 right now and this will be the third.
Her: (smiling widely) That's awesome. Good for you Mr. McInnis. Keep it up. Bye.
I can't imagine that situation coming up in the Safeway cashier training sessions.
Anyway, Amber got to pee on a stick this morning and as you have probably deduced from the title of this section, there were 2 lines. We're on our way to the perfect family - three boys. :)
I am excited about this, but it means that I have less than 9 months to find a van. We have been driving a little 2-door hatchback since before Amber got pregnant the first time. It's been tight with two carseats, but there are only 4 seatbelts, so we can't put it off much longer.
I know that's probably not the emotional outlet and expression of my feelings that it should be, but I'm not real good with sharing personal stuff. I'd rather talk about anything else - might be a guy thing. Maybe this blog will help me with that.
But I have to end with a happy face. I am more than okay with this slightly unexpected turn of events. I look forward to going on this journey again. :)
Wednesday, June 1
God's Timing
Well, it's looking more and more like July isn't going to be the time to try.
Tomorrow marks the record for the most days Amber has been late without being pregnant. So, it looks like a February baby. And based on all the charts, it looks like a boy. I know Amber really wants a girl, but it's all in God's hands now. Maybe this is just a reminder that He is in control and His plan for our lives is beyond our understanding.
We'll get a test soon, even though I'm pretty sure. Amber said "It's no fair. Boys get to pee on things all the time. Girls only get this one chance."
Well, it's 4am and I haven't really been to bed. Josh was sleeping with us tonight (he's in a bit of a clingy mood these days) and he was rolling and kicking and pushing me. I guess it's good for me to get practice for those late night feedings again. :)
Tomorrow marks the record for the most days Amber has been late without being pregnant. So, it looks like a February baby. And based on all the charts, it looks like a boy. I know Amber really wants a girl, but it's all in God's hands now. Maybe this is just a reminder that He is in control and His plan for our lives is beyond our understanding.
We'll get a test soon, even though I'm pretty sure. Amber said "It's no fair. Boys get to pee on things all the time. Girls only get this one chance."
Well, it's 4am and I haven't really been to bed. Josh was sleeping with us tonight (he's in a bit of a clingy mood these days) and he was rolling and kicking and pushing me. I guess it's good for me to get practice for those late night feedings again. :)
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