Ladies & Ladies (and gentlemen too), WE HAVE STTN!

So, I did it.

Of course i couldn't have picked a worse time, what with the time change, but.......It's been nearly a week since I've started, and although I did crack twice (once D has refluxed up her entire dinner and final just-before-sleep bottle, so it seemed unfair and I fed her ONCE when she woke at around 11, and once she woke at around 5 when I tried tucking a blanket around her because she was in a pnp in my room and since I had woken her (it was freezing and T was in the nursery because I decided to separate them for a week while they learned)

The first night I listened to crying for half an hour and then decided that that needed to stop. Since I was determined not to go in, there seemed to be no point in my torturing myself! Subsequent nights I turned them very low, and even all the way down and forgot to turn it back up when i came in. I felt awful/guilty that I didn't even KNOW if/how long they had cried for, but - again, to what end? ALthough I can't say to people "it took x days, they cried for this much each day" But - i can live with that!

Of course, the fact that they woke up with leaked diapers and soaky sleepers and FREEZING feet made me feel awful - i resorted to tearing apart maxi pads because i couldn't get my hands on any diaper doublers, and when i tried to put a cloth diaper inside i couldn't even close it around their legs!
Well, last night they went down later than I like 7:30 and nearly 8 (after a HELLISH day of napping; it was my mom's b-day party, lots of people, etc..), and - neither of them peeped til 5 am! I listened to them both cry and put themselves back to sleep. What a miracle!!!

I had decided, perhaps foolishly, that since they are pretty used to being put to bed nearly asleep (which was impossible to avoid because of the reflux; they had to be held upright for 30 minutes for the longest time so we missed that 'drowsy but not asleep' window) that I'd have them learn to put them BACK to sleep and then we'd work on putting themselves to sleep initially. But last night D would NOT settle and I couldn't hold her/bend over the crib patting her anymore. So i just told her quietly that she would be fine and sat on the floor - and in about four minutes she worked it out!

(Of course, this morning i had to resort to DRIVNG them for a first nap, after swearing I would never do that again, but - teething, time change, etc.)

I am envisioning a whole new life where I can get more than 3 hours of consecutive sleep. AND - my DH is arriving on tuesday; we've all been apart since Feb 1. Pretty amazing to imagine not having to get up 2x a night - or sleep apart because he couldn't handle being woken every night!

Now, all i have to do is re-learn to sleep and STAY asleep myself! (oh, and not read really trashy books until midnight...)

Thank you to everyone for all the support. Of all the things I never thought I'd do....Lesson # 3 of Twin Parenthood: never say never!

 

Yeah!!! how old are they now.I am so glad for you. It is wonderful

 

Hip-Hip-HOORAY!! Way to go T and D!! and waaaaay to go Mama!!!

Reyna

 

WOOHOO!!!! :banana: It is truly amazing what a full nights sleep can feel like!!!

 

Congratulations! After a few days of sleep you will be amazed at how much more enjoyable life is in general. After my first two nights of 7 hours sleep I felt like superwoman.

 

YAY for STTN! Enjoy all the good rest! Before long, you'll be so caught up on your sleep that you can afford to stay up late reading trashy books!

 

Oh, Jordari, I'm so happy for you!!! Sleep is amazing. Hope the girls keep up the good work and you learn to sleep quickly!

Erica.