At 2 am, I find that I’m a completely different person than I am at 2 pm. Now, a lot of it has to do with the fact that I would much rather be sleeping at 2 am (and sometimes at 2 pm!) but it’s something that I’ve heard from other new moms, too.
I noticed it to an extreme extent with Aric and to a lesser extent this time. It’s like I’m Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Sometimes I’m even amazed with myself at the difference I feel between 2 am and 2 pm. Here’s what I mean:
Infant wakes up for no reason
Reaction at 2 pm – Smile and get excited that she’s actually awake. Coo and talk to her, hold her, bounce her, sing to her, play with her.
Reaction at 2 am – Groan, roll over, punch husband to get him to put her paci back in. Curse the fact that no one has created a paci that will actually STAY in an infants mouth and wish you could just tape it in there. Hear the musical seahorse turn on and get gently lulled to sleep by the soothing songs, then get woken up again when the sea horse turns off and angers the baby again, causing the paci to fall out YET AGAIN!
Three year old gets out of his room when he’s supposed to be sleeping
Reaction at 2 pm – Since yelling at him to get back to his room for the last hour CLEARLY didn’t work, resign yourself to the fact that today is a no nap day, give him a snack, and attempt to find some kind of enriching activity to engage in.
Reaction at 2 am – OH MY GOD, CHILD, YOU’VE BEEN SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR THREE YEARS NOW!! WHY ARE YOU AWAKE NOW?!?!?!?!?!?! Allow him to sleep in your bed for 3 minutes before punching husband and making him carry the child back to his room.
Infant loses interest in eating after only 5 minutes
Reaction at 2 pm – “Oh, you were just thirsty? That’s OK! Let’s play!!”
Reaction at 2 am – YOU WOKE ME UP FOR THIS?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Begin to strip her nekkid to wake her up to force her to eat, because you’re up now and you’ll be DAMNED if you have to get up in another half hour to finish this feeding.
Three year old demands his music to be turned on
Reaction at 2 pm – “That’s a great idea!” Sing and dance along with the music.
Reaction at 2 am – “Seriously? You woke up to tell me you need your music on?!” Turn on his music, which doesn’t match AT ALL with the music coming from the seahorse. Lay awake in bed listening to the conflicting songs all the while the sound machine keeps belting out ocean wave sounds. Curse yourself for actually thinking having children was a good idea.
What are some other examples you have experienced?
Emily
February 7th, 2013
Two year old demands a story be read to him. 2 pm reaction: “Sure, kiddo! I will never refuse to read to you! Books are the best!” 2 am reaction: (in my head) What the F, kid? I read a story to you before bed, I’ve been in here three times since then, fetching you water, a paci, your precious Rhino stuffed animal… I am NOT reading another story! What I actually say, “Not this late at night honey. It’s time to close your eyes and sleep.” (in my head… Crap, now I’ve lied to him at 2 pm).
Nicci
February 8th, 2013
BAHAHA! That’s awesome! I haven’t had a 2am request for a book, but I can promise you my reaction would NOT be as nice as yours, LOL!
Tiffany
February 16th, 2013
Oh.my.wooooord. You couldn’t have said it better!!!! My 3 year old hasn’t slept through the night but maybe 20 nights total. So yeah. That’s fun. NOT. And she will get in the bed and say to herself, “I soooo tired, I just need to go to sleep. Why I not go to sleep???” And I’m over there FUMING silently over wanting to scream at her “BECAUSE YOU ARE TALKING TO YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!”.