Wednesday, February 15

acquainted with the night

These past two years a line from a Frost poem has oft come to mind: "I have been one acquainted with the night."

Before I got pregnant with Addy, I had a pretty cush sleeping life. I could fall asleep fast, crash through the night, and awake feeling totally refreshed--no biggie.

And then I got pregnant. And developed allergies. And my sleep life totally got ROCKED.

First it was the usual pregnant stuff... getting up with an annoying bladder, waking up when I had to roll over, etc. and etc. But then the cough started when I was 8 months along, and it started keeping me up too. In fact, the first non-elective all-nighter I pulled was the night before Addy was born, and it wasn't due to contractions--it was the cough. So obnoxious.

After that, I was up nursing or coughing every couple hours for several months. If I was with Addy, it was doable. If I was coughing? I was downstairs popping pills, watching TV, surfing the web, quietly cleaning, or just figuring out what it means to be nocturnal.

So now, here I sit in the middle of the night, hugely pregnant and coughing again. And while Frost said the night lights proclaim "the time is neither wrong nor right" (WRONG, Bob, it's WRONG), at least I can feel one with night security guys, ER doctors, and 7-Eleven cashiers... for now I am one acquainted with the night.

8 comments:

Alicia said...

Ugh! I am so sorry girl! Maybe one of these nights I'm up I'll give you a call. ;) Sending sleepy vibes your way!

Brittany said...

I feel your pain. I hope it gets better for you soon!

Jenna said...

I don't wish Nick's schedule on anyone and certainly not you! Hope you find some relief and get some needed sleep!

Matt and Ness said...

You poor poor thing. I had a cough for a few nights and I was super annoyed and thought of you and all your sufferings! I hope you get a few nights of good sleep before the new one comes.

Tyson said...

That poem is one of the saddest poems I remember studying in college. I had to look it up again to refresh my memory. I hope you don't feel as depressed and isolated as the poem describes. Soon you will move and you can develop new allergies there. jk

http://www.gradesaver.com/the-poetry-of-robert-frost/study-guide/section17/

Lindy said...

The good news is they usually show a lot of Saved By the Bell in the middle of the night. But that's about the only good news. So sorry!

Mortensen Baby Farm said...

Well since I am also a NON sleeper that is when we should talk. Call me...chances are I am awake. I feel horrible though because I am just awake...not coughing awake. That would get so old! Poor Jackie!

http://elderwolfedr.blogspot.com said...

You make me laugh. I have one word for you, AMBIEN! Oh, how I love you!