Sleep

One of the first changes that came with pregnancy for me was a change in my sleep pattern. I used to be the up late, sleep late kind of person. But immediately, my body started to prepare me for being up with a baby. I slept lighter, having to get up every few hours to pee or eat a little snack. As my belly grew I was constantly tossing and turning. Sometimes waking up to the feeling of the little person inside kicking or moving. Restless nights and early mornings and yet I was still able to function pretty well...although I was overwhelmingly tired at times. And then Elliott arrived. I didn't sleep for days. Too scared to close my eyes. I just wanted to stare at him. Watch him breathe. I thought I might never sleep again and I was ok with that.  He slept so peacefully. His little belly barely moving up and down with each breath. Eventually, my eyes grew too heavy to stay awake any longer and I felt safe letting myself sleep knowing Elliott was close by. Now, our sleep is almost synchronized at night. He barely squirms next to me, gives out the slightest noise, and I am awake..sometimes just barely...but awake and ready to care for him. Sometimes he needs to eat, needs a diaper change, a hand on his belly or arm, his binky back in, or a quiet shhhhh. And then we're back to sleep. If only for a few hours for now.