Getting outta bed update!

Today she only got out of bed once to tell me the movie was over and ask for another one.  However, bedtime was unfortunately pushed back a couple hours so by the time she went to bed she was really tired.  I had to run some errands in town and of coarse they took longer than I had planned.  Then make dinner and feed everyone. 

Lately just getting the kids to eat is a production.  They get up and play then say I'm not done I'm still eating!  This goes on and on. Maybe part of this problem is that we rarely sit down as a family at the table and eat!  I always worry about them eating enough so I fall for this and dinner time drags on and on. 

Plus, tonight my husband was watching a movie that looked interesting.  I wanted to watch it, but I had to take care of the kids.  However, at one point I got sucked into it, and the kids got to stay up late!  The morning ought to be interesting! 

Spring time disturbing nap time!

I love spring time, until the thunderstorms start up!  I used to like them, but the kids get so freaked out!  I spend forever telling them its ok and trying to explain!!! They are laying on the couch for quiet time watching Tinkerbell and the lost treasure!  But every time the thunderclaps they are up trying to see the thunder!  So much for quiet time.  I miss the days when they napped!  But now if they do fall asleep they are up all night!

  I changed they're bed time to 7pm which works out so much better than before, because no matter how late they are up they wake up at the same time!  Which is killer for me!  So I try very hard to have them getting ready for bed at 6:30 and in bed no later than 7.  It is amazing how much better it works out.  They're old bed time was 8!  I would fight with them all night and they'd pass out around 10!  Turns out they were just so over tired they couldn't sleep!

Now we eat dinner between 5 and 5:30 then they play quietly (if I have my way) until 6 or 6:30.  The time we start getting ready for bed depends on if they need a bath or not!  Then its pajamas, brush teeth, wash faces, brush hair, pick a book, and then head to bed.  Where I read them a book, and then turn on a movie.  They alternate picking a movie.  Usually Topher is asleep within a few minutes.  Evie watches the movie most nights then its lights out! 

To help them follow the bedtime routine I made cards with pics on it showing each step and put them on a key ring.  It helped them follow the routine until they learned it! Now we all have our bedtime routines down pat!

Christopher's meltdowns have tamed some since we instituted an earlier bedtime.  The best part is the bedtime battles are far less.  He still has many sensory issues we are working on, and the doctor thinks there is something more (psychological) but getting a diagnosis is impossible.  They sent us to Chicago Children's hospital psych department, and that was a joke.  I sat in a tiny sardine can room and talked to a psychologist and she watched him play in the little room.  How on earth she was supposed to understand him under those circumstances is beyond me!  I cant afford to drive to Chicago once a week!  Plus, he needs to have Occupational therapy and Behavioral therapy but that's 40$ a week plus gas!  We can't afford that!  I don't know what to do!  So I'm stressed and stuck!

To move or not to move?

We live in a two bedroom apartment, but it is the size of a 3 bedroom. Which means that our master bedroom is HUGE! I have a king bed, two end tables, twin bed, toddler bed, crib, dresser, computer desk, vanity, two bookcases, and a jewelry chest in our room, and we still have tons of floor space.

The problem is that both our kids sleep in our room. My son falls asleep in my bed or my arms, and then is placed in his crib. He wakes up at least twice a night. The worst night he was up 6 times. I think if he had his own room he might sleep through the night. I think that some of the times he just gets woken up by noises we make. Daddy snores, mommy coughing, and sister crying or laughing.

My daughter sleeps in our bed still. I can't try to get her to sleep in her own bed because if she screams and cries (which she will) she will wake up her brother. Then I will be dealing with two extremely unhappy children at one time. If you have more than one child then you feel my pain. One cries so the other can't sleep then they both start to cry followed by you crying as well (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em).

I think that if we had a 3 bedroom I might be able to get the kids to sleep in their own beds and sleep through the night. I am not sure if this plan would work, but it sure does sound good!

We looked at renting some houses, buying right now is not an option. To big, to small, to expensive is all we found so far. The problem is I love where we live. We park indoors so during inclement weather I don't have to take the kids out to go somewhere. I love our neighbors (on our floor). So I want to stay there, but I want 3 bedrooms.

A 3 bedroom opened up on our floor. Which I felt was a sign from God. My husband won't even look at it. It costs more, has less square footage, and has only 1 bathroom. We currently have 2. Another apartment opened up on the 2nd floor, and is exactly like ours. The only difference is that it has 3 bedrooms. Basically our big bedroom only with a wall in the middle.

We told our landlord that we would take it, but now my husband says "No". He says it is stupid to move into the exact same size apartment, but pay more money (70$ more)! I agree, but desperately want the 3rd bedroom! I understand his concerns about money especially with the economy the way it is. Plus, with me not working I feel that when it comes to money I don't have much of a say! We already turned off the cable to save money for a while. I know if I made a fuss he would move for me, but what if he is right and it's a bad decision.

I guess my biggest problem is that I don't know how to get my kids to sleep when I want them to sleep. I am trying for a bed time before 9pm, but most nights I am left at the mercy of my children and when they decide to fall asleep. I don't know what to do! I can't just throw them in bed and let them cry, and I won't