Sweet sleep

As so many wise parents before us have said, the difference from parenting one child to two is not double the responsibility; it's exponential growth!  (And kudos to the wonderful parents I know with even more than two kids.)  So when my friends and acquaintances ask how our transition is going, I say, "Well, our boy is wearing me out, so I guess that's a sign that he's healthy!"  

I have had some days and moments that I regret, where the laundry, cleaning, dishes, and cooking feel so never-ending that I am unkind with the ones who made them necessary.  Every morning, I've been praying for the grace to love the three blessings that are my family members as the gifts that they are.

For most of my life, I have struggled to sleep well.  Now that I need energy to keep up with two precious children, sleep has become ever more necessary.  On normal nights, I am aware of tossing and turning, and being awake at least a dozen times throughout the night.  And then when I try to wake before the kids to do my Bible study, I am groggy, to put it mildly.  Every morning is a fight just to kick myself out of bed.  Over the last several months, I have tried several homeopathic formulas to help in my battle for a good night's sleep.  I've tried Hyland's sleep tablets, melatonin, and a sleep aid from a local farmer's market vendor.  The first one helps me through the first half of the night, but not the second.  With the latter two, I sleep soundly throughout the night, and then feel the effects of the ingredients making me groggy through the next day.  At least I know I am not alone in my dilemma.  My mother and sister have fought the same battle for years, as well. 

In some future posts, I want to include the pictures of the fun our family has had over the last several weeks.  But, as you see the smiles and I write the cute quips from my kids, I want to lay it all out.  We're having a sweet journey with two kids, but I am tired (as are so many moms!), and I want to be real.  :)  (Thanks, Christy!)