Last night as I turned out the light at 9:45 p.m. and settled in for bed, I couldn't help thinking that I used to be such a night owl--I would never have dreamed of going to bed so early! Times certainly do change, don't they? Even in the first two years of our marriage I retained my late-night tendencies. Poor Quin had to get up (and still does) and leave for work before 6 a.m. so naturally, he was inclined to hit the hay at a reasonable hour. I would grudgingly join him most of the time, but when he was deployed and I was all alone I rarely went to bed before 11 p.m.
It all changed for me when I got pregnant and was suddenly exhausted all the time. Most nights I could have gladly gone to bed before 9 p.m. That didn't change much after Maren was born, as I breastfed her so I was up twice a night for feedings. Thankfully, that's over but I have never completely returned to being the night owl I once was. I'm still not ready for bed quite as early as Quin would prefer, but I have gotten a lot better.
Speaking of sleeping, today I got to revisit one of my favorite Sabbath-day activities: The Sunday Afternoon Nap! Last year our church met from 1:00-4:00 p.m. so a nap was out
of the question. Now we meet at 9:00 a.m. and get out at 12:00 p.m. Today I came home, put Maren right down for her nap and then settled in to the couch for a nice lie-down of my own.I prefer to nap with the TV on. I find that it acts like white noise in canceling out other noises I hear. By far my favorite channel to nap to is the History Channel. All those shows with the narrators are usually perfect--the narrator's voice is generally deep and steady and when you turn it almost all the way down you get that nice white noise effect. Today when I was napping "Band of Brothers" was on, so I flipped to my second choice: Turner Classic Movies. Old black and white movies work in a pinch. The audio is just quieter than most of today's movies and TV shows. Today's nap was courtesy of Inherit the Wind and 12 Angry Men. It was most satisfying!
I also have become less of a night owl, and I don't even have kids yet. Must be middle age! I also love to nap, and can do so with the TV on.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, could you email me your snail mail address? I have it at home, but want to pop something in the mail to you and I'm at work. Send to schlumpfh[at]claretians[dot]org. Thanks!
I wonder when I changed too. I still stay up late sometimes but it's more to pack in every last thing I can do in a day if I am pressed for time. But given a choice, I prefer to be in bed nice and early or at least relaxing in bed early. I attribute it to kids, age, and just every day stresses I didn't have way back when!
ReplyDeleteDang on the snow! Wow!! You all sure have been hit with it recently!
lucy
I call them *motherhood naps*, my husband calls them *power naps*. And the kind with the TV in the background are the best.
ReplyDeleteHappy Napping :)
I here you,and now that I am in performing mode,my internal clock must adjust yet again to a night owl schedule.
ReplyDeleteI am the same way. I need lame tv shows to distract me from my busy head so I can nap after school. Ooh nothing better than a good nap!
ReplyDeletehey, my church is from 11-2 this year - the WORST possible time - eliminating all possibility for the sunday naps. which all of us need.
ReplyDelete(are you lds, too? - and since i'm expecting snow today, too, i'm wondering where you are?)