09/23/07...4:43 a.m.

This is an entry I made on a different site I used to blog on. I came across it and thought I would enter here as well. I'm glad Teddy has smoothed out his sleeping issues some. It's still not perfect, but he does at least sleep through the night on his own, in his own bed. It just took awhile to get there. This took place when Teddy was 8 months old and yes, this is exactly how the situation that morning went.

The stand off begins. Mommy vs. Teddy.

Mommy--100 and some odd lbs. with 36 yrs. experience of stubbornness, 8+ mos. knowing what's best for baby (sleep), and a strong desire to snuggle longer under the covers. Has been known to concede her stance under certain circumstances.

Teddy--approx. 22 lbs, a lightweight in size and experience, but another generation born under a long line of stubborn men, 8+ mos. of generally getting what he wants and is known to loudly protest when he doesn't. Has been known to fight to the bitter end, whether it means winning or not.

It is still dark, with no sun on the horizon. A quiet Teddy stands up in his crib, wide awake and makes just enough noise to stir Mommy awake. She removes him from his crib and arranges him next to her in bed, patting his back, and tried to convince him to go back to sleep. Teddy has had enough, although he yawns at consistent intervals and rubs his eyes. He quietly talks to his hands, Mommy quietly shushes him and tries to sing his favorite to go to sleep with. Tries is the operative word as the sleep almost overcomes her. Teddy rolls over and sits up and talks a little louder. And then, he sees something in the dark--a cat walking into the bedroom. He crawls down to the bottom of the bed for further investigation. Mommy grabs him and brings him back to her. Teddy begins to protest. It's a battle of the wills now, forget who's sleepier than the other. It goes back and forth, the winner is anyone's guess now.

The round lasts 45 minutes, when Mommy grumpily concedes and gets out of bed. Teddy wins this round and is rewarded with a warm bottle.

An hour and half later, Teddy falls back to sleep and victory is Mommy's...

for 45 minutes.

There is no rest for the weary.