Busted – that was the week before last, not this past week. If only. This week was kind of a doozy. I mentioned a few posts back that Peanut has been experiencing a sleep regression. To keep it real, I have to admit it’s kind of kicking our butts. I’m hoping that we will turn a corner soon (last time we had to sleep train Peanut – a few months ago – it was a relatively quick, albeit painful, process – crossing my fingers that this time will be just as quick, since so far it’s actually more painful). As a result I’ve been lucky to squeak out four hours of sleep in a night, and those are never continuous. I’ve had several nights of less than three. I’ve always been someone who needs a lot of sleep, and while I know that the early parenting years often mean a lot of lost sleep, and that it’s temporary, man does it hurt right now. I’ve been having a bit of a pity party about a lot of things, and the lack of sleep is really feeding into that.
Since sleep was minimal this week, reading was minimal too. I’ve tried stapling my eyelids open so I can get some pages done, but my speed is much slower when I’m severely sleep deprived. (Imagine that!) I did manage to finish Crossing to Safety last week – my first Wallace Stegner; what took me so long? – and I loved it. It was a quiet, ponderous, slow-moving novel, more focused on characters than events, and yet surprisingly dramatic. It was wonderful, and now I want to read all of Stegner’s other works. I’m hoping to pick up Angle of Repose next, and soon.
Crossing to Safety was the only book I managed to finish last week, although I’m close to checking off Minimalist Parenting – just about 60 pages left. It’s all pretty common sense, but a nice vote of confidence in doing things your way, which we could all use. I started Love and Freindship for Austen In August, but haven’t made much progress, as I am lacking the brain power required (thanks, toddler bedtime battles!). Hoping for a better week of sleep next week, and more Love and Freindship as a result. And in the spirit of taking it easy on myself while this sleep deprivation lasts, I think my next book will be a young adult offering – Book Scavenger – from my library stack. (Which is finally looking pretty well under control, hurray!)
On the blog this week: a Nugget update on Wednesday and a fun relationship post on Friday. Check back!
Hope you’re all getting more sleep than I am, my friends! What are you reading?
covered in flour 
I hope Peanut starts a better sleeping schedule soon! My kids have never been good sleepers.
I haven’t been reading much lately because I’m trying to finish a couple of chapters of a writing project I’m working on with my twins. It’s really fun, but it doesn’t leave much time for other hobbies.
Have a great week!
PS. Plus work has been crazy this month! But I’m trying to take my mind off of that… Sigh.
Eeeek, that stinks. I hope things settle down for you soon! There never seems to be a happy medium – busy enough so you’re not bored, but not so busy that you’re overwhelmed – sigh. Someday we will both achieve that state!
Thanks! I hope so too! I have always needed a ton of sleep, so this schedule is kicking my butt. I’ve started referring to my house as “Gitmo.”
Hope to hear more details about your writing project with the twins! What a fun thing to do together. Between the garden and all the other fun activities, it sounds like you are giving them a fabulous summer. I’ll bet they are LOVING it!
I’m looking forward to the school year starting because it’s easier to balance with work, but we are definitely having a nice summer.
As for the writing project: It’s a middle grade novel that’s loosely based on Anne of Green Gables. I write the chapters in advance, my twins critique them, and I re-write the chapters based on their suggestions. It’s been interesting to discuss the difference between finding inspiration in other people’s work (which is good) and plagiarism/copyright infringement (which is bad, obviously). They have a very basic understanding of “public domain” (I said: they are books that are way older than granddad!). We’re having so much fun fitting an updated Anne (named Anusha) into our time and place. I might end up sharing the chapters on my blog or a related blog at some point.
I’m glad to hear you are having a nice summer! I can see how school would be easier to balance with work – we’re still a few years away from that, but I’m already dreading having to fill up two months of different camps. It must require the organizational skills of a D-Day planner!
I LOVE your description of the writing project you are doing with the twins! Have they read the original Anne yet, or are you introducing the characters orally or through abridged versions? What a great activity to do together – and it seems like the girls are the perfect age for a more involved, ongoing project with Mom. What fun!
Ugh, man, that sounds rough:/ That little peanut needs to sleep!
Yeah, it hasn’t been the easiest month ever. It’s so frustrating because I know she CAN sleep all night in her bed – she’s done it hundreds of times! And the worst is that she wakes up her brother, who is a terrible sleeper in his own right. I’m exhausted!