Saturday, January 05, 2008

The One Where I Say...

Why the hell didn't we do that months ago???!!!

So last night went well. Let me remind you that we didn't end co-sleeping, we just put the family bed to rest (until such time as it is needed again, perhaps). Husband spent the night in Ethan's room and while Ethan did wake up a few times and need a quick cuddle back to bed, he slept in longer stretches than he has in our bed. So tonight is night #2 of Operation BBB. Unless I report otherwise, it is a go from here on out.

How did I do? Well. I won't lie. I did get close to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep and I'd be a complete fool to say it wasn't absolutely. blissful. I truly can't put into words how extravagant it feels to have that kind of time a.) alone & b.) asleep. And since Husband and I are on a 2-night rotation during this first phase of Operation BBB, I have another night of peaceful slumber ahead of me (aaaaand, now I will be up all night tossing and turning for sure).

BUT, I cried. Not big sobby wailing cries. But teary-eyed, wistful, "stare at the empty bed sprawling out around me, missing my baby" cries. It was harder than I thought it would be to have him in the other room, emotionally speaking. I wasn't worried (didn't even have a monitor with me) because Husband was in there--this gradual process is as much for us as it is for him. But I did go through a whole "sunrise/sunset" sort of nostalgia (God help his future wife; I am going to be a crazy woman at his wedding some day if I can't handle his transition to a big boy bed without shedding tears and humming Fiddler on the Roof tunes in my head).

So there it is. I am going to bed early tonight to horde my sleep because Sunday and Monday nights, I'm "on". I'm actually kind of looking forward to it....

6 comments:

Unknown said...

So it begins, waiting to hear the sounds from the other room, sneaking in to verify that 1) child is still there 2) child hasn't invited any strangers there with him. Our Thing 1 was a champ switching from crib to bed, after a three night stretch (2 yrs old). Thing 2 was even easier, seeing her big brother doing it(18 mo) Of course, there will be the thumps in the night when they fall out of bed, through that impossibly narrow stretch at the head of the bed around the bed rail. the bleary eyed stare of wonderment of "Hi dad. Why did you wake me up? Why am I on the floor?" Also, checking on said child, and not finding that ball of hair on the pillow, but two feet. Everything else, under the covers. Good luck, and welcome to the otherside ! - Jim PS. Don't worry, you'll have the night terrors to wake up to and cuddle and sooth his confused, sleepy sobs

Becca said...

I'm so glad it went well!

Anonymous said...

Oooh, you're so lucky it went well! You have such a good little boy. I dread the day when Avery has to move from the crib--eek! I think we'll wait till she's 20. ;)

Amy said...

That is awesome news. I remember when we stopped nursing and I thought it was both the greatest thing ever (omg, uninterrupted sleep!) and the worst thing ever (wah, my baby didn't need me anymore!).

So glad it's going well. Again, you are much braver than me. I am just plugging my ears and going "lalalala" when people talk about big boy beds. :)

Lindsay Margenau said...

ohmygosh, 9 hours of sleep??? I can't even imagine. We're so jealous!

Sarah said...

Isn't sleeping by yourself the most delicious treat after so long in the family bed-- which is also a delicious treat, just less roomy. We are getting Harry out in preparation for McLovin to move in, and the nights he spends lone in his crib are fun-- but yeah-- I miss him!! And I hear about the wedding--sob.