Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Goal Number One: More Sleep

First, a big thank you to my new online friends who left me encouragement yesterday! You are the best. Your blogs are wonderful. Each and every post makes me feel like our new life is very normal. Isn't is nice to know I'm encouraged by your lack of sleep? : )

And thanks to my mom as well. She said it's already been a "Year of Rejoicing" because Matthew's diabetes can be managed. How true! I am certainly rejoicing over insulin. : )

Now...on to the goal setting. First and foremost, I've got to get more sleep.

From reading other blogs, it's clear that a night of uninterrupted sleep is a thing of the past. And that's okay. I really don't mind it, but I need to figure out some ways to get extra sleep.

One of my problems is that I always feel guilty because I should be cleaning the house, or washing clothes, or reading a diabetes book. But if I will take the time to get a little extra sleep, I know I'll have energy for those other necessary things.

(Sidenote here. Kevin and I do take turns getting up in the middle of the night, but I always wake up. Always. I literally have not slept through the night since Matthew's diagnosis. Kevin is trying to help me change that, but I just wake up. Grrr.....)

Moving on.....here are my ideas:

1. Library Day = Nap Day For Me. Anyone who knows Matthew knows that he is a reader first and foremost. We hit the library weekly and check out a minimum of 40 books. (Folks, I am not kidding.) When we get home, he spends several hours with his head buried in books. So.....from now on, that will be nap time for me. Hmm.....can I fit the library in tomorrow?.....

2. I'm bringing back television. Several years ago, I made the decision to stop letting Matthew watch television. It just wasn't a habit that I wanted him to build. Instead, we decided to have a movie night once a week. He loved the idea and has never complained. Yes, I would let him watch an occasional show, but I can honestly say that he watches TV, maybe once a month. If that.....but no more. I've decided when I need a rest, he can watch a show. A decent, wholesome show. And not 3 hours. Just enough for me to get a good nap. :)

3. Go to bed earlier. Kevin's schedule has him home later than most dads and I always stay up because.....quite frankly, by evening I get a second wind and want to stay up. I need to change this and just go to bed!

4. Learn to like coffee. Actually, I don't think I'm that desperate. Yet....

So, that's my plan. I'd love any feedback or suggestions. I'll try to get goal number 2 up tomorrow.


6 comments:

Joanne said...

Naps, naps... wonderful naps! Thankfully Elise still takes naps, so that is my dedicated down time. No matter how messy the house is, or how long my to do list is, I use an hour of her nap time to just sit and turn off my brain. It's been especially vital now that I'm pregnant.

Good for you for recognizing that you need to take care of yourself as well. I hope you get a nice, refreshing nap in today!

P.S. I don't like coffee either... although I crave it when pregnant. Weird.

Meri said...

I took a nap for the first time in forever yesterday. Aside from the nap headache I always get...it was beautiful.

My hubby makes me go to bed at 10-10:30 at night. I always say, "your not the boss of me." And he laughs and takes my hand...and secretly I'm thankful he makes me go, because I would be up until midnight every night if it were up to me.

connie said...

Naps are a beautiful thing!!! Hopefully you can start squeezing them in on occasion, I have to admit I haven't had a nap in a long time. I am waaaaaaaay overdue :)

I am so glad that you are getting encouragement and support from this AWESOME on-line group of AMAZING D-moms/dads!!! They are great and I have felt the warmth and love since starting my blog too, it's a great thing.

Thank you for sharing and good luck with your new goals :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great plan and perhaps more importantly, a super attitude.

Unknown said...

I LOVE your ideas!!! I think they are all sound...and a little TV will be OK. I cannot nap for the life of me...unless it has been a horendous night of blood sugars. What I do to care for myself is...well I do drink 2 pots of coffee (I don't think that will be taking place for you - haha), I take a bubble bath every night when the kids are reading in bed (from 7-7:30pm), I exercise daily, I relax with the kids and friends quite a bit after school. I definitely try to avoid OVER-SCHEDULING the fam...that is a recipe for disaster for me.

LOVE YOU...and so glad to meet you through here. You are going to make so many nice, supportive friends. This community is phenomenal.

Shannon said...

1st let me say I am glad you found this group. My son was DX just this feb at 11 months and I found this group right after and it has been very life changing having a group of supportive and understanding moms and dads to help along the way. 2nd WAY to go on getting a handle on your needs. As I was reminded when a plane goes down you have to put your oxygen on first or you will be no good to anyone else. I am currently still working on that too!! Naps are a great idea and sometimes you have to let the house go for a day or 2. Dont beat your self up over the TV I think you have a great plan in place!! Let me know if you need anything I can help with