The other night I was literally trapped in Heaten’s room from 2:30 in the morning until 5am. After a couple of mistakes on my part I was finally able to escape back into my bed for some much needed sweet blissful sleep.

How did I get trapped in his room you ask? Well, lets just say Mommy is a sucker! All was well and good in Sweet Sleep Land until I awaken to a horrid screaming. A screaming so loud and tortured I immediately jumped from bed and go running to the loft to determine which baby needed me. I run into Jeff in the hall who said he had just rocked Heaten and laid him back down. Not good that he was still screaming so crazily. I knew he had dropped his dog out of the crib (his newest phase that I HATE). I go in and get doggie, lay him back down, turn and walk away. Before I had even got to the door he had jumped up, threw doggie, and started screaming again. It is nights like these I am SO GLAD we separated them into their own rooms.

This is where it all goes downhill.

So tired after our long night he has to take a cat nap on the couch.

I pick him up. At 20/21 months they know if I pick them up once I will pick them up again and again. And I will, I just don’t want them to know that…it is my little secret. So I pick him up and rock him for what felt like an hour, but was closer to 15-20 minutes (we don’t have a rocking chair and let me tell you….Standing and rocking while holding a 24 pound baby gets REALLY heavy after the first little while). He is very tired, yawning, cuddling doggie and me so I assume it is safe to lay him back down. Big mistake. The screams start up, doggie goes flying, and I leave the room for a regrouping of my tired head. I let him cry for 1-2 minutes, go in, put doggie back in the bed, lay him down, and walk out. Not happening. You can guess what comes next. Thud as doggie gets thrown and of course the screaming. It is now like 3am, I’m tired, Heaten is tired and I just want this horrible nightmare to end. So what do I do? I go back in, pick him up (yes I know, didn’t I learn my lesson already), and rock him while sitting on the floor. I must have sat there for 30 minutes while he kicks his legs, pets my arm, and in general doesn’t get sleepy. Trouble for Mama in Heaten Town!

4:00am. I’m beyond tired and getting a little frustrated. I put him in his crib where he starts to cry and scream and I lay down on the floor so he can see me. This seems to do the trick. THANK GOD! He lays down, grabs doggie, and calms down. Hallelujah! While the floor is not all that comfortable it is definitely better than holding Heaten in my tired arms. He rolls to his belly and I am seriously ready to jump up and run. And then he starts to wiggle his butt back and forth. Kick his little legs softly and then harder and harder all the while making little noises and talking to himself. I look to the door that is closed and want to cry. Freedom is so very close….I can taste it. But it is not to be.

I lay on the floor for about 20 minutes while he plays quietly with himself, kicking, wriggling, and talking. I’m sure he doesn’t even remember that I’m there until he sits straight up, looks at me, and then lays back down. At this point I realize I’m in for a LONG night on the floor and wish I had a blanket or pillow or even some shorts since the floor isn’t very comfortable on my tushy. I decide that he is content enough and get up, walk to the door without looking at him, open door, and sneak out. The minute the door opens he stands up, throws doggie, and starts to cry. You have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! It is 4:30am WHY ISN’T HE SLEEPING!?!?! I rush back in, lay him down, sit on the floor in the middle of the room and make sure the door is open (not making the closed door mistake again, I need a FAST getaway). He rolls over and begins his kick, butt wiggle (which was very cute to see) and I slowly crab crawl to the door. I am certain he isn’t going to sleep anytime soon, but I’m seriously ready to cry from tiredness, frustration, and general Ewww. I crab crawl out the door, sneak out, close it quickly and stop outside to make sure all is quiet. Not a peep. HOLY SHIT! I did it!!!!!

I crawl into bed, snuggle in for a couple hours of sweet, blissful sleep. I just start to doze when what do you know….more screaming. Seriously, I want to run away or let him cry or something, but you know me….Softy McSoftalot. I go in, get dog, lay Heaten down, walk out and FINALLY he stays quiet. I get back into bed and end up sleeping in until 8 when Shenzie wanted up.

Yay for sleeping in! Boo for crazy night!

Ready for naptime….getting cozy with bear.

This is not encouraging since it appears we just went through the 18 month sleep regression, now we have even more sleep drama to look forward too. Sheesh, can’t a girl catch a wink! =)