Not sure if I shared, but when we last saw the wizard (as we like to call Little Bug's neurologist), he diagnosed Little Bug with Sleep Distrubances NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). Basically, this documents that Little Bug still doesn't sleep through the night. That he still has an incredibly difficult time falling asleep.
We have a new wrinkle- sleep walking. He has begun to do things at night that he would *never* normally do. I know, you say, you can't know that. I know that he would normally not trash the house. Last week, I woke up to get ready for work and at first thought we had been burglarized. There was stuff everywhere. Every cupboard in the kitchen was open. Any stitch of fabric in the kitchen and bathroom had been tossed onto the floor. All the coasters and mug rugs the Hama makes were tossed all over the living room.
Last night, Nick and I found out that he has been sneaking food. I had been finding wrappers during the last week and thought that Nick was having a late night snack and just didn't see them. Nope, they were Little Bug. Which explains why when he wakes up at times his face is sticky.
I have found dried beans and spaghetti noodles on the floor. Again, I thought Nick was looking for a snack and didn't see that he had made a mess. But, no it wasn't Nick.
At this point, for his safety, we are going to have to consider all options. He already sleeps with us- heaven help us if he sleeps in his own bed. I worry that he could hurt himself or choke with his midnight eating. As he gets bigger, I worry that he will be able to get out of the house easier- we already have special locks installed and are now figuring out how to adjust the door alarm we bought.
I just want him to be able to sleep. To not wake up looking like he didn't sleep at all. He often carries steamer trunks under his eyes.
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Dare I say it?
Little Bug got a new big boy bed last night courtesy of the Nas-Nas. He was so excited that he shook. He ran around telling us about his big boy bed- BROWN! BIG! Yeena's!
After Nick and I got it put together- which for an Ikea piece of furniture involved very little cursing or yelling- Little Bug immediately scrambled up on to it.
He demanded sheets, which we didn't have for a twin. I managed to oragami style make the bed with a queen sheet. He asked for his pillow, a minky- that's binky to you, and a milkshake (that is what he calls his milk. It gets him to drink it, so really, I am not going to be too specific.)
He wanted to lay down in it and go to sleep. He was pretty miffed that I wasn't going to sleep with him. Yells for Daddy BAKE echoed for a while. He finally quieted down and then came back to our bed.
It seems as though we won't be co-sleeping too much longer. He is becoming more independent every day.
He has begun to sit and pee on the potty- of his volition. He has, in fact, earned two potty reweards.
He can now take most of his clothes- damn those shirts- off by himself. He can also put his pants, little swimmers, and socks and shoes on by himself.
I know that most people are excited when their kids can do these things. For the most part I am. I have to admit that with school coming in the fall and these independent actions, I feel a little lost. Little Bug has been so dependent on us for so much longer than most kids, that these bursts of independence leave me feeling a little lost.
After Nick and I got it put together- which for an Ikea piece of furniture involved very little cursing or yelling- Little Bug immediately scrambled up on to it.
He demanded sheets, which we didn't have for a twin. I managed to oragami style make the bed with a queen sheet. He asked for his pillow, a minky- that's binky to you, and a milkshake (that is what he calls his milk. It gets him to drink it, so really, I am not going to be too specific.)
He wanted to lay down in it and go to sleep. He was pretty miffed that I wasn't going to sleep with him. Yells for Daddy BAKE echoed for a while. He finally quieted down and then came back to our bed.
It seems as though we won't be co-sleeping too much longer. He is becoming more independent every day.
He has begun to sit and pee on the potty- of his volition. He has, in fact, earned two potty reweards.
He can now take most of his clothes- damn those shirts- off by himself. He can also put his pants, little swimmers, and socks and shoes on by himself.
I know that most people are excited when their kids can do these things. For the most part I am. I have to admit that with school coming in the fall and these independent actions, I feel a little lost. Little Bug has been so dependent on us for so much longer than most kids, that these bursts of independence leave me feeling a little lost.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Oh, how I love you...
Mr. White Noise Machine. You came into our home and have done something we couldn't- you helped Little Bug to sleep through the night consistently for the past four nights. Oh, and you helped the dog sleep through the night too! If you need anything- new batteries, a dusting, anything short of a night off, I'm your man!
Seriously though, I love our white noise machine. It's a truly simple solution- a $15.99 Homedics no clock 6 sound noise machine. It offers heart beat, ocean, rain, jungle, summer days, and something that sounds like zoo animals on speed. Little Bug has been very happy with it. He asked for it to be turned on when he laid down last night. He watched his movie, fell asleep, and barely woke up when they took me to the bus stop.
Hopefully, this is our sleep breakthrough. Little Bug hasn't slept through the night yet, so this is two and half years in the making. Granted, he has gotten past the point of needing a bottle every two hours, but it is still disruptive to your sleep to have a little guy sit up every two hours and whisper, "Hi Da. Da? Da? Hi Da." Until you roll over, make him lay down and say, "Hello Little Bug, now go to sleep." He does, but somehow he needed to say hello every two hours and be talked to.
Here's hoping that our love affair with Mr. White Noise Machine continues as it has been the best honeymoon period ever- lots of happiness and sweet, sweet, sleep.
Seriously though, I love our white noise machine. It's a truly simple solution- a $15.99 Homedics no clock 6 sound noise machine. It offers heart beat, ocean, rain, jungle, summer days, and something that sounds like zoo animals on speed. Little Bug has been very happy with it. He asked for it to be turned on when he laid down last night. He watched his movie, fell asleep, and barely woke up when they took me to the bus stop.
Hopefully, this is our sleep breakthrough. Little Bug hasn't slept through the night yet, so this is two and half years in the making. Granted, he has gotten past the point of needing a bottle every two hours, but it is still disruptive to your sleep to have a little guy sit up every two hours and whisper, "Hi Da. Da? Da? Hi Da." Until you roll over, make him lay down and say, "Hello Little Bug, now go to sleep." He does, but somehow he needed to say hello every two hours and be talked to.
Here's hoping that our love affair with Mr. White Noise Machine continues as it has been the best honeymoon period ever- lots of happiness and sweet, sweet, sleep.
Friday, January 23, 2009
So Tired
So, the restlessness continues at our house. It started on Tuesday night when Little Bug woke up at 1:00 and was up for the day. Nick and I were exhausted and hoping that he would go to bed early. Well, he did, but only to wake up at 11:00 PM and stay up for an hour and then get back up at 4. He did the same thing last night. Nick and I are exhausted and waiting for our PCP to return to talk to him about this and what we can do to help everyone get some rest.
Little looks like a walking zombie- half in and out of it and never really engaged.
As many, many people in blogosphere and news have discussed and pointed out, the new administration has their website up and has included this under the category of Disabilities under "the Agenda":
DISABILITIES
"We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination.... policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities."
-- Barack Obama, April 11, 2008
Barack Obama and Joe Biden have a comprehensive agenda to empower individuals with disabilities in order to equalize opportunities for all Americans.
In addition to reclaiming America's global leadership on this issue by becoming a signatory to -- and having the Senate ratify -- the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the plan has four parts, designed to provide lifelong support and resources to Americans with disabilities. They are as follows:
First, provide Americans with disabilities with the educational opportunities they need to succeed by funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, supporting early intervention for children with disabilities and universal screening, improving college opportunities for high school graduates with disabilities, and making college more affordable. Obama and Biden will also authorize a comprehensive study of students with disabilities and issues relating to transition to work and higher education.
Second, end discrimination and promote equal opportunity by restoring the Americans with Disabilities Act, increasing funding for enforcement, supporting the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, ensuring affordable, accessible health care for all and improving mental health care.
Third, increase the employment rate of workers with disabilities by effectively implementing regulations that require the federal government and its contractors to employ people with disabilities, providing private-sector employers with resources to accommodate employees with disabilities, and encouraging those employers to use existing tax benefits to hire more workers with disabilities and supporting small businesses owned by people with disabilities.
And fourth, support independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities by enforcing the Community Choice Act, which would allow Americans with significant disabilities the choice of living in their community rather than having to live in a nursing home or other institution, creating a voluntary, budget-neutral national insurance program to help adults who have or develop functional disabilities to remain independent and in their communities, and streamline the Social Security approval process .
Autism
President Obama and Vice President Biden are committed to supporting Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorders (“ASD”), their families, and their communities. There are a few key elements to their support, which are as follows:
First, President Obama and Vice President Biden support increased funding for autism research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services. There must be research of the treatments for, and the causes of, ASD.
Second, President Obama and Vice President Biden support improving life-long services for people with ASD for treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD.
Third, President Obama and Vice President Biden support funding the Combating Autism Act and working with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs for ASD.
Fourth, President Obama and Vice President Biden support universal screening of all infants and re-screening for all two-year-olds, the age at which some conditions, including ASD, begin to appear. These screenings will be safe and secure, and available for every American that wants them. Screening is essential so that disabilities can be identified early enough for those children and families to get the supports and services they need.
First of all, I am ecstatic that this isn't filed under health care and that there isn't a mentioning of curing or ridding ASD. Second, I was extremely surprised that ASD received this much attention. While section 4 seems like a huge suggestion, it's worth a shot. The portion that fills me with hope the most is "life-long services".
Little looks like a walking zombie- half in and out of it and never really engaged.
As many, many people in blogosphere and news have discussed and pointed out, the new administration has their website up and has included this under the category of Disabilities under "the Agenda":
DISABILITIES
"We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination.... policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities."
-- Barack Obama, April 11, 2008
Barack Obama and Joe Biden have a comprehensive agenda to empower individuals with disabilities in order to equalize opportunities for all Americans.
In addition to reclaiming America's global leadership on this issue by becoming a signatory to -- and having the Senate ratify -- the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the plan has four parts, designed to provide lifelong support and resources to Americans with disabilities. They are as follows:
First, provide Americans with disabilities with the educational opportunities they need to succeed by funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, supporting early intervention for children with disabilities and universal screening, improving college opportunities for high school graduates with disabilities, and making college more affordable. Obama and Biden will also authorize a comprehensive study of students with disabilities and issues relating to transition to work and higher education.
Second, end discrimination and promote equal opportunity by restoring the Americans with Disabilities Act, increasing funding for enforcement, supporting the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, ensuring affordable, accessible health care for all and improving mental health care.
Third, increase the employment rate of workers with disabilities by effectively implementing regulations that require the federal government and its contractors to employ people with disabilities, providing private-sector employers with resources to accommodate employees with disabilities, and encouraging those employers to use existing tax benefits to hire more workers with disabilities and supporting small businesses owned by people with disabilities.
And fourth, support independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities by enforcing the Community Choice Act, which would allow Americans with significant disabilities the choice of living in their community rather than having to live in a nursing home or other institution, creating a voluntary, budget-neutral national insurance program to help adults who have or develop functional disabilities to remain independent and in their communities, and streamline the Social Security approval process .
Autism
President Obama and Vice President Biden are committed to supporting Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorders (“ASD”), their families, and their communities. There are a few key elements to their support, which are as follows:
First, President Obama and Vice President Biden support increased funding for autism research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services. There must be research of the treatments for, and the causes of, ASD.
Second, President Obama and Vice President Biden support improving life-long services for people with ASD for treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD.
Third, President Obama and Vice President Biden support funding the Combating Autism Act and working with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs for ASD.
Fourth, President Obama and Vice President Biden support universal screening of all infants and re-screening for all two-year-olds, the age at which some conditions, including ASD, begin to appear. These screenings will be safe and secure, and available for every American that wants them. Screening is essential so that disabilities can be identified early enough for those children and families to get the supports and services they need.
First of all, I am ecstatic that this isn't filed under health care and that there isn't a mentioning of curing or ridding ASD. Second, I was extremely surprised that ASD received this much attention. While section 4 seems like a huge suggestion, it's worth a shot. The portion that fills me with hope the most is "life-long services".
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Alternate Options
Remember a couple of weeks ago when I said Little Bug was falling asleep by himself? That is no more and he is back to not sleeping through the night. Friday night, he woke up at 2 in the morning and cried until 4. Then back to sleep and up at 7. Last night, he sat up several times and would touch the dog and talk to him.
Nick and I are very hestitant to give Little Bug anything, but it might be time to look for an alternate option. I know my friends over at Both Hands and a Flashlight have suggested melatonin, which will be our first thing to look into. Quite honestly, we are very skeptical when it comes to medication or herbal supplements and children. At this point, we have to consider it. He is 2 and a half and still not sleeping through the night.
Quite honestly, Nick and I need some relief and Little Bug needs a better quality of sleep. If you have any suggestions, send 'em our way!
Nick and I are very hestitant to give Little Bug anything, but it might be time to look for an alternate option. I know my friends over at Both Hands and a Flashlight have suggested melatonin, which will be our first thing to look into. Quite honestly, we are very skeptical when it comes to medication or herbal supplements and children. At this point, we have to consider it. He is 2 and a half and still not sleeping through the night.
Quite honestly, Nick and I need some relief and Little Bug needs a better quality of sleep. If you have any suggestions, send 'em our way!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Just Sleep
Little Bug's quality of sleep has sucked more so than usual recently. The way I explain it to people is that, as far as sleeping through the night goes, we still have a baby- a very big and mobile baby, but a baby none the less. He wants to be cuddled and soothed and rocked. He wants to be close to you so he can twirl your hair. He wakes up crying. It is exhausting.
I wish there was something we could do. We are trying the weighted blanket, and while it helps him sleep deeper when he uses it, he often takes it off. It seems like he can only tolerate it for a couple hours at a time and then wants it off. He is still sleep talking and crawling. Not quite sure what to do about that- I guess, there really isn't a whole lot we can do.
We heard from his OT yesterday. She had faxed his treatment plan to our pediatrician's office twice, but didn't receive a response. When I called his office, we were told they didn't get anything and that he goes on vacation for two weeks as of Friday. So DN and Little Bug are going to to pick it up and take it to his office.
Hopefully, once we get that rolling, we can address his sleep issues. We are really reluctant to do any medicinal interventions, so we are hoping that we can help him in other ways. Till then, we will continue to be zombies- formerly known as his parents.
I wish there was something we could do. We are trying the weighted blanket, and while it helps him sleep deeper when he uses it, he often takes it off. It seems like he can only tolerate it for a couple hours at a time and then wants it off. He is still sleep talking and crawling. Not quite sure what to do about that- I guess, there really isn't a whole lot we can do.
We heard from his OT yesterday. She had faxed his treatment plan to our pediatrician's office twice, but didn't receive a response. When I called his office, we were told they didn't get anything and that he goes on vacation for two weeks as of Friday. So DN and Little Bug are going to to pick it up and take it to his office.
Hopefully, once we get that rolling, we can address his sleep issues. We are really reluctant to do any medicinal interventions, so we are hoping that we can help him in other ways. Till then, we will continue to be zombies- formerly known as his parents.
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