Who Needs Sleep?

Remember that song by the Barenaked Ladies?

Who needs sleep?
(well you're never gonna get it)
Who needs sleep?
(tell me what's that for)
Who needs sleep?
(be happy with what you're getting
there's a guy who's been awake
since the Second World War)

Yeah, that's been in my head the past few days because Jack has not been sleeping. In turn, I'm exhausted. I should say more exhausted. I didn't even think that was possible.

It seems the RSV is creating some horrible sleep habits. For the last several nights, after going to bed Jack woke up every hour for the first four hours of the night. Then, at about 11pm, we fed him, gave the nebulizer and stayed up with him until 1am. Two hours! He has then either woken up two more times before morning, or woken up once for two hours before going back to sleep. Every time we rock him and put him in his crib he jolts awake crying. Worse, his naps have been about 30 minutes long apiece.

It turns out that the medication in his nebulizer is "wiring" him. Yesterday the doctor cut the 11pm dose of the meds, but last night Jack was still awake from 11-12 and 3:30-5:00. Today, however, today he took a beautiful two and a half hour nap and I am very encouraged. (I checked to make sure he was still alive after two hours - I wonder when I'll stop doing that?)

I hate the idea of "Ferberizing" Jack and with these horrible sleep patterns I've been preparing myself for the worst. If we do have to go that route, Tim is in charge. I can't stand hearing him cry. I've told Tim we are going to make sure Jack has his strength back before we lay the smack down. I have Ferber's book on hold at the library just in case.

On the positive side, Jack has been feeling much much better. I'd say he's even more cheerful than he was before he was sick! We had a glorious time this afternoon playing peek-a-boo and laughing ourselves silly. If only the nights would be so pleasant.

Please sleep, Jack! Please!! It's for your own good. I promise!