Thursday, July 22, 2010

Wow, that was rough...

Wow, last night was BAD! I wanted to blog about it, not to complain, but so I can remember. David and I kept asking each other last night, "Did Aubrey ever do this?" and I want to be able to remember more this time.

Around 10, we were ready for bed. I was feeding Jude one last time before I put him down. He fell asleep while he was eating but woke up as soon as I laid him down. He was really rooting around and fussing, so I assumed he was still hungry. He had cluster fed the night before for a while before he finally went to sleep for a good stretch, so I thought he was doing the same thing. So, I fed him again. He was wide awake, which is RARE. It was pretty much the most I had ever seen his eyes. Ha! I thought that was a good thing because he was eating really well and having some awake time, so I was hoping we could go 3 hours until the next feeding. But every.single.time I tried to lay him down, he woke up. I tried swaddling him. I tried unswaddling him. I tried the pacifier. I tried no pacifier. Literally the only thing he wanted was to eat. I ended up feeding him for hours, no lie. At first, David was sleeping through the ordeal because there was really nothing he could do to help. Finally I kind of reached my limit and had a meltdown. At that point I think it was around midnight. David took him out of our room and was going to try to get Jude to sleep so I could get a little sleep. I was exhausted by this point. However, Jude was inconsolable. I was just laying in bed listening to him scream, and I couldn't take it. I went to get him, and fed him again. By this point, I really had no milk left, and I'm pretty sure he was just using me as a pacifier. That is the only way he wasn't screaming though. We just didn't know what to do for him. I was pretty positive he wasn't hungry. He had had a ton to eat. I'm pretty sure I have plenty of milk. It seemed like he might have been in pain. He didn't have fever or anything. I'm wondering if he might have some reflux issues like Aubrey. He was sure arching his back and screaming.

I went from being super frustrated and tired and emotional to laughing hysterically (NOT at Jude -- just at the fact that David and I were so clueless) and feeling really bad for my poor baby. I can't even tell you how many times we tried laying him down. It got to the point where Jude wasn't even happy being held, but that's all we could do. At around 3AM, David decided we needed to take turns getting some sleep. He went to the couch to sleep for a couple of hours, and then I was going to wake him up and sleep. I guess Jude had finally cried himself out though, because he fell asleep and stayed asleep shortly after that. I had to wake him up at 6:30 to eat. He then slept until 9 when I woke him up again.

Jude is perfectly fine today. Actually, he's pretty much in a coma. I guess that night wore him out too. I'm having a hard time getting him to wake up enough to eat, which doesn't bode well for tonight. I just don't know what to do. I'm praying last night was just a fluke and he had a tummy ache or something. If it happens again tonight, I'm definitely calling the doctor. Surprisingly, I feel ok today. I was worried I was going to be a wreck after getting so little sleep. The Lord's mercies really are new every morning, and I actually woke up with a positive attitude today. I know this too shall pass, and I'm just praying for an extra measure of patience (and energy!) until it does.

So, that was our night. I want to remember when we have baby #3 one day that Jude wasn't always a perfect little sleeper! Ha!

8 comments:

Jennifer said...

Oh Carrie, I am so sorry and I will pray that tonight will be better. You are so smart to blog about this so you can remember for next time and so it's a measure of the progress that Jude will make over the next few weeks. Try to remember that each of these crazy stages will not last forever! I will be thinking about you. Did Aubrey sleep through all of this? I have a fear of Evie waking up and being right in the middle of it all.

Ashley said...

Oh boy do I remember those nights! I tried different brands of pacis with Evy because she ONLY took a MAM. Also, I know you know this, but we lived by gas drops. Maybe try the swing? (I can't remember if you tried that?) PRAYING for you!! We had a night exactly like that when Evy was 4-5 weeks and we went out and bought Babywise the next day-- haha!!!!

Seriously, I've thought about you all day and I'm praying for you!

Anonymous said...

I admire you so much Carrie. I hope I can be like you when I'm a mom!
-S.T.

Sarah Denley said...

Okay, no offense, but you are the ONLY person who would be talking about baby #3 after a night like that. Apparently, you aren't just a pioneer woman when you're pregnant,but all the time! You are SUPER MOM.

I'm sure y'all will get in a little routine soon, but I will be praying for you and please let me know what I can do to help out!

Nathalie said...

We had a few nights like this with Emily. I remember one night, nothing we did would soothe her... After a few hours, Steve and I ended up falling asleep on the couch while she cried (in the adjacent room). Terrible night!

Hang in there. We're all thinking about you!

Christy said...

I am so sorry you had a bad night! I hope that tonight and today are smooth for you. I know how hard it is to care for another child while you are exhausted. Napping can't happen because the older one is not asleep and it can be so overwhelming.

I am so glad that you have a husband who will help you and take turns with you! I will be praying for you, David, Aubrey, and Jude. This is such a sweet time for ya'll but a huge adjustment as well!

KTElltt said...

Sounds just like Carter as a baby. I hope it was a fluke too! If it's not and you want to toss around some ideas, call me. I'm not going to throw any unsolicited advice out there... :) I hope he begins sleeping well soon!

Gator Mommy said...

It sounds like things are going better but just a tip from a mom of 3 and a breastfeeding educator- side lying position!!! That is the only way I survived. I could nap while my boys nursed. We both relaxed and when he was deep asleep, I could transfer him to the co-side sleeper.

I feel your pain and remember all too well those nights (who am I kidding, I have a 6 year old, 23 month old and 6 month old- I am still having those nights, ha ha). Good luck and praying for you!