At 2:30 this morning I finally realized I have been receiving personal visits from the Big witch Karma on a nightly basis for several weeks now, and on an otherwise fairly regular basis for a little over a year. We were already well-acquainted, so it shouldn't have taken me so long to recognize her presence.
Shortly after the birth of my daughter, I began attending a breastfeeding support group facilitated by a local RN, Lactation Consultant and Doula. (Believe it or not, I am referring to one individual with three titles. Furthermore, as several of you know, this list is far from comprehensive. We could add Lifeline, Angel and Hero to the list and still not do her justice.) Best idea ever! The group was invaluable for me in staying sane throughout the wild transition into motherhood.
Similarly to a church service or other support group setting, each week participants would share their "Blessings and Prayer Requests" or "Accomplishments and Setbacks" or "Successes and Challenges" or what have you. I certainly never had qualms about sharing my challenges with the group. But, one day a few months after baby arrived, I felt jubilant about a cause for celebration in our house. So, relieved and giddy, when my turn in the circle came around I shared that my baby was now sleeping through the night. I could almost hear my special news thud to the floor, having gone over with this crowd with the approximate grace of a lead balloon. Never hesitant to share the facts, but typically slow as ever to consider how they might be received, it wasn't until I felt the ensuing dark cloud settle over the room that I realized how insensitive it had been to essentially boast - whether that was my intention or not - to a roomful of exhausted, udderly sore mothers that my baby was sleeping through the ni-i-i-i-i-i-ight (read in universal Nanee Nanee Noo Noo tone of childish exultation).
Well, none of them needed fret because, like I said, Karma is a Big witch. No insult to Karma intended here. (That would be a terrible mistake.) I aim only to give her due credit. My use of "witch" certainly carries with it no negative connotations. Witches have keen, uncanny powers of perception and magical abilities. Nothing gets past a witch unnoticed! They are really quite impressive. And by prefacing "witch" with a big, capital 'B,' well, that wasn't a negative description, either. In these modern times, we all know that _-i-t-c-h-es are strong, competent ladies. So, this Karma, in true Bitch form, being as adept and successful at her job as she is, certainly hasn't missed the opportunity to follow me from that day forth and grace me with a valuable life lesson.
As a first-time parent, I had been carrying around the naive notion that, once baby slept through the night, there was no going back, that the Sleep Thing was a task to check off one time and then move on to the next developmental milestone. Oh, not so. Not so. Thankfully, Karma has educated me in this matter. Sure, baby slept through the night for another eight weeks (but who's counting?) after that fateful support group session, just enough time for me to become nice and comfy within my false sense of peace and accomplishment. But since then, baby has consistently taken fewer and shorter naps than her peers and only slept through the night for short-lived, few-week bouts before falling into long patterns of two-, three-, four- and sometimes five-time a night wakefulness.
But there was light at the end of the tunnel. Or was there? A few months ago, baby finally eased into a lovely, pleasant, consistent pattern of daytime napping and nighttime sleep. So I figured I had paid my dues to Karma in full this time around. But being a loyal friend and an effective witch, she has ensured I retain all important points from this learning opportunity and not accidentally mistake our recent interactions for any other possible factor or force of nature. Therefore, Karma has concluded the recent, lovely phase of sleep, arranging for baby to cease all regular napping activity on the exact day I began my new degree program last month, drastically cutting into homework time. But that's okay, luckily Karma is very good at what she does! Baby is back to waking several times a night, too, so I'll just do my work then.
- Sarah
Shortly after the birth of my daughter, I began attending a breastfeeding support group facilitated by a local RN, Lactation Consultant and Doula. (Believe it or not, I am referring to one individual with three titles. Furthermore, as several of you know, this list is far from comprehensive. We could add Lifeline, Angel and Hero to the list and still not do her justice.) Best idea ever! The group was invaluable for me in staying sane throughout the wild transition into motherhood.
Similarly to a church service or other support group setting, each week participants would share their "Blessings and Prayer Requests" or "Accomplishments and Setbacks" or "Successes and Challenges" or what have you. I certainly never had qualms about sharing my challenges with the group. But, one day a few months after baby arrived, I felt jubilant about a cause for celebration in our house. So, relieved and giddy, when my turn in the circle came around I shared that my baby was now sleeping through the night. I could almost hear my special news thud to the floor, having gone over with this crowd with the approximate grace of a lead balloon. Never hesitant to share the facts, but typically slow as ever to consider how they might be received, it wasn't until I felt the ensuing dark cloud settle over the room that I realized how insensitive it had been to essentially boast - whether that was my intention or not - to a roomful of exhausted, udderly sore mothers that my baby was sleeping through the ni-i-i-i-i-i-ight (read in universal Nanee Nanee Noo Noo tone of childish exultation).
Well, none of them needed fret because, like I said, Karma is a Big witch. No insult to Karma intended here. (That would be a terrible mistake.) I aim only to give her due credit. My use of "witch" certainly carries with it no negative connotations. Witches have keen, uncanny powers of perception and magical abilities. Nothing gets past a witch unnoticed! They are really quite impressive. And by prefacing "witch" with a big, capital 'B,' well, that wasn't a negative description, either. In these modern times, we all know that _-i-t-c-h-es are strong, competent ladies. So, this Karma, in true Bitch form, being as adept and successful at her job as she is, certainly hasn't missed the opportunity to follow me from that day forth and grace me with a valuable life lesson.
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| Stalked by Karma |
But there was light at the end of the tunnel. Or was there? A few months ago, baby finally eased into a lovely, pleasant, consistent pattern of daytime napping and nighttime sleep. So I figured I had paid my dues to Karma in full this time around. But being a loyal friend and an effective witch, she has ensured I retain all important points from this learning opportunity and not accidentally mistake our recent interactions for any other possible factor or force of nature. Therefore, Karma has concluded the recent, lovely phase of sleep, arranging for baby to cease all regular napping activity on the exact day I began my new degree program last month, drastically cutting into homework time. But that's okay, luckily Karma is very good at what she does! Baby is back to waking several times a night, too, so I'll just do my work then.
- Sarah
4 comments:
I changed the picture to reflect your stalked state. Now go to bed so we can wake you up!
Oh, I am SO glad you did that... (Hrumph.) It is a good thing that you two are so very, very cute! :)
- Sarah
At least by your comments, we can see that the lack of sleep and lessons from Karma are not hindering your love for one another. Sarah, I feel your pain as I've been there. Just when we think we've got them...the kiddos throw us for another loop. I learned long ago in this process that it's all one big guessing game with children. You think you know, but you're wrong and you've seen it work with other kids but you're reminded all children are different. Maybe that's what keeps it interesting, however frustrating it may be. It just proves the point that the books and sites don't have all the answers and parents and grandparents aren't always right. Neither are those pesky people who boast at mom groups about how their little ones are sleeping, or counting to 100 in four different languages. The same kids will have a poop smearing party in their crib or shout profanities during a silent moment at church. It's good to be reminded that we're not always in control. But I wouldn't like that reminder every night. Good luck!
SARAH,
Thanks for your insight. The babies are made especially cute so that the parents keep them. The Sweet babies are the ones that keep us young. In holding group the mothers do meet some wonderful friends that help keep each other on the sane path and it is always fun to compare the stress of being new parents.Your an amazing mother and I am proud to have you in my circle.
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