Sleep, schmeep

I believe my children have formed a coalition against me. It was begun many years ago, when my first two children were little. I think, during the day when my back was turned, they spoke in their toddler/baby language to each other, discussing who would wake Mommy up the following night. "I'll take the 4:00 a.m. if you'll handle the 5:30 wake up call", one would say to the other. They always cooperated beautifully (better than any of the children seem to on any other matter). Without fail, they would follow through with their carefully laid plans, waking me just when I would drift back off to sleep.

Since we have added two more children, the older two have passed on their expertise in this area. My younger two have now carried on the torch (with the occasional help from my 7 year old in the early morning). Take this morning, for example. My four-and-a-half-year old took the midnight "I've gotta potty, Mommy!!!" run. My 7 year handled the 5:44 a.m. "Where are the bandaids, Mommy?" And then my four year old returned to handle the 6:00 "Can I sleep with you, Mommy?". After I let him into bed, I rolled over and hoped for a little more shut-eye. Just as my eyes were closing, my two-and-a-half-year old starting crying in his crib. "It's not fair!" I said to my husband's back. Thankfully, he was getting up for church and let me sleep a bit longer.

Anyway, I'm sure sleep is overrated. I mean, I haven't had a solid night's sleep since late in 1999. I haven't seen any negative effects so far. So I fall asleep while driving. . .that's normal, right? If I stand too still, my head begins to nod, but whose doesn't?

I'd love to ponder this a little longer, but I think I need to squeeze in a nap before church.