Another sleepless night

Just a quick update....over the past week our little man has been one big, major, grouchy pants!  Nasty in his facial expressions and tone, quick to anger, super sarcastic, impatient as all get out...it's hard for me to hear my sweet baby talk to me and everyone else like this!

However, I understand these emotions!  I understand what brings them out in me anyway! 

Hormones. 
          Being super tired. 
                             Not feeling well. 
          Being overworked and unappreciated. 
                                                 Trying to keep up with our crazy schedules. 
                                                                            Desperately needing quiet and getting loud chaos instead. 

Oh yeah.  That makes me a big major grouchy pants super quick! 

What I'm trying to figure out now is what brings it all out in Eli.  Could it be he really is going through some hormonal changes?  He is ten years old now after all!

AM I READY TO GO THROUGH PUBERTY WITH HIM?!  UM...NOOOOOO!!!!!

Yesterday evening we went through two near-meltdowns where Mr. Grouchypants ended up hiding under his bed, (yelling at me that he was never coming out), not once, but Two Times! 

And then he couldn't sleep last night. 

I woke up about 2:30 a.m. and, realizing he was still awake, tried to help him out a bit.  Snuggly quilt, change of location, hugs and kissies, but nothing worked. Until! I put Sami in bed with him just after 3 a.m.  Guess what...it worked!  Something to remember.

Finally, sometime between 3-3:30 a.m.
Sami helped Eli to fall asleep



The comfort these two provide for one another is heaven-sent.  Look at how peaceful they both are!  We are so blessed.


So many times I post things with the intent to help others who may be new to this journey.  To say, "Sure!  We know how that goes.  You're not alone!" and to provide answers and encouragement and comfort.  I want to explain it all away and clear up the mystery. 

With these sleepless nights we're suddenly dealing with...sorry...I got nuthin'.  No idea.  Wish I could help you out there.  If YOU figure something out, would you kindly let ME know??  Thanks...

I know the New Moon was last Thursday, but this attitude issue has not been within the normal pattern of what we're used to.  I suppose this whole past week of angry outbursts and two sleepless nights in two weeks, might be the result of the New Moon, but it feels like it's more than that.  We'll be discussing it at the next Dr. K. appointment, but I have to wonder if there will be an easy answer.  I'm betting on No.  After Eli finally was able to drift off next to his best friend, I was still unable to sleep again until after 4 a.m.  Needless to say it's been a looooong day and it's not even over yet. 


I was very surprised, when I posted the cute picture of Sami and her boy on Facebook around 3:20 a.m., by how many people responded to it almost immediately.  What are you doing up, I asked several people.  Turns out they too were unable to sleep.  Hmmmm....coincidence?


Hoping for a peaceful, restful night tonight.  Here's wishing for a gentle thunderstorm at bedtime tonight...waddaya say?  Nothing violent, mind you...just a nice, soft rumbling would be a lullaby for this girl.  Aaaahhhh..... 

First Bath - Memorial Day Weekend Part 1

This past weekend was Memorial Day Weekend.  It was hot and sticky, but a totally glorious three-day weekend!! 

On Saturday, Eli had a plan. "Mom," he said to me. "Sami needs a bath.  She stinks, Mom.  Can we please give her a bath?"  

Now, I don't actually smell the dog.  I mean, she smells like a dog of course, but I don't find her offensive.  

Eli, on the other hand, with his super-nose and ability to be over-sensitized by the sensory-world surrounding him, has been complaining for a few weeks now that the dog stinks.  

I really like his initiative!  And since we do what we can to help him learn how to cope with life in general, this was a great opportunity to problem-solve!  If the dog smells and you don't like it, this is how you can take care of the problem.....  

And therefore a bath for Sami ensued late Saturday morning....

Eli was all about helping too!  He wasn't leaving it all up to me!  He wanted it done and was willing to step up to do it...he just needed me there for guidance and instruction.  God Love Him, he's such a great kid!  

Eli gathered up the towels and got stuff ready. He was so excited! We got the water run at the right temperature - not too hot, not too cold.  We led Sami to the bathroom like a lamb to slaughter, but after her initial freakout, she relaxed and seemed fine after once she was in the tub; and she actually seemed to enjoy the experience overall!  

Eli giving Sami her first real bath - May 26, 2012

For the remainder of the weekend Sami was all about walking into the bathroom and sniffing the tub, looking into the tub, licking the tub, and wagging at the tub.  I don't know how she'll feel about it when she's full-grown.  I hope she still likes it because once she's a Big Dog, because there's no way I'll be able to force her or lift her into the tub!  It would be great if she still likes the process and willingly steps into the tub for me! 

Sami patiently allowing herself to be washed

Sami REALLY liked the rub down with all the towels after the bath.  She laid there and enjoyed the attention and rolled over so we could dry her belly.  She was all bundled up and cozy and cute!  

Sami's favorite part was drying off.
She got all snuggly in the the towels!

After we freed her from the towels, she got the "Rips"... where she's so excited, she just RIPS around the house at breakneck speed, racing round and round until she wears herself out.  Eli laughed and laughed and called her a "Crazy Dog"!

She must smell better now.  I haven't heard him complain about her stinking since Saturday morning! 

I plan to get Eli trained well and maybe that's something he can do for her every couple of weeks or so as part of his chores.  

I wonder how long it will take before the novelty wears off and it becomes another, 

"Aw mom...do I have to?!" chore??