My eyes flutter open. I don’t need to check the time to know it’s 3 am. I tap my phone’s screen anyhow. 3:11 am.
What is it with this hour? I think to myself, not for the first time. For every single pregnancy I’ve had (we’re on #3 now), 3 am is when the bell tolls for my bladder, which cues the restless sleep. I awkwardly shift-scoot-roll from my right side to my back to my left side, push myself up on an elbow, and sit at the edge of the bed. I dance step my way to the bathroom, avoiding well-known squeaky boards. I pause on my return route and think, I’m already up, I may as well. I fix the blankets that always fall to the floor off the open, non-wall hugging side of Nathan’s bed. Sitting at the foot of his bed, I gaze at Adam, our whirlwind of a second born. Slowly, I lift up his legs and slide the blankets out from under him and then pull them up to his chin, making sure to tuck in every one of his stuffed friends as well (heaven forbid they catch a chill at night). I kiss his baby cheeks that will soon disappear and watch as he shoves a thumb in his mouth and twirls his hair in his other fist. Back in my room, I check the time. 3:16 am. And so begin the wee hours of 3-6. I lay back down, shift-scoot-rolling into position, knowing full well that sleep is futile. The bathroom will call yet again. Adam will wake up, his sleep ridden voice calling, “Mom-meeeeee!” He’ll tell me his blanket fell off or that he can’t find a specific friend. I imagine his favorite excuse for not sleeping - but it’s so hard to sleep - and chuckle to myself. Indeed it is, I think, shutting my eyes to the moonlight sneaking through the blinds.
5 Comments
3/4/2021 02:11:41 pm
Such a very real and quite perfect slice...
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trina
3/4/2021 04:55:37 pm
I wake up around that time most nights also! And I am NOT on baby number 3 :) I guess I just have getting older to thank for that.
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Heidi
3/8/2021 10:38:13 am
Thanks! Miss you all as well.
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EugeniaKouts
3/4/2021 09:14:52 pm
Congratulations! I didn't realize you are expecting #3. Sleeping through the night while pregnant is truly a myth!
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Heidi
3/8/2021 10:38:53 am
Thank you! I'll take what qualifies as "sleepless" for now. It CAN get worse. Ha!
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