Sleep(less)

For the last few months Lawrence has been working graveyards.  the shift offered a little extra income and was also less busy, so he had time to do his homework and studying while at work.  But it had its disadvantages too.  Like Lawrence slept during the day and he wasn't home at night.  The LM just wanted to play with his daddy when he was home so LM would "sneak" into our bedroom and wake Lawrence up.  And I don't sleep well without Lawrence (not that I'm really sleeping well at this point anyways...) so I would stay up late and then toss and turn most the night.

But happier days are on the horizon!  Lawrence got a new job!  He will be working more "normal" hours and be able to play with LM when he's home and sleep at night.  We are so excited for this new job and the experience it will bring and the opportunities that come with it.  And to have Lawrence around more during the day and night.

I remember after the accident trying to sleep in the hospital.  Those bed just aren't made with comfort in mind.  Yeah, they can sit up and put your feet up and do some cool stuff, but the mattresses really suck, the pillows tend to be flat, and it just isn't the same as being in your own bed.  Not to mention the tubes and wires and the beeping monitors, and the nosy nurses (who I know are just doing their jobs) who wake you up every few hours, sleep just isn't something you come by easily.  Plus, when you are sore and hurting all over and you can't turn your head because of a neck brace getting comfy just ain't happening.

It was such a relief to go "home" and be in a real bed where I wasn't being poked and prodded and checked at all hours of the night.  I still didn't sleep the best, what with the neck brace and soreness and all, but it was better.  And over time it got even more better (if that makes any sense at all) and eventually I was sleeping without any issues.


But now I am back to having a difficult time getting comfy.  Can't sleep on my tummy, can't sleep on my back; sleep on one side and my arm goes numb, sleep on the other and my hip hurts, use a pillow
between my knees and to cradle my belly and I can't snuggle with Lawrence... Grr...  And then once I do finally get comfortable and find sleep my body wakes my up because I need to use the bathroom, or because I itch, or because i'm too warm, or baby is wriggling and throwing a dance party...  I can honestly say I don't remember having so many problems sleeping so early with my other two pregnancies.  I'm only at 20 weeks, or crying out loud!  Most days I can't make it through without a nap in the afternoon, so when LM is down and out for his nap (which, thank goodness, is usually at least 2 hours, sometimes more) I lay down too.  Not for very long, usually, but long enough that I can make it through the rest of the day without pulling my hair out.

So I am pleading with you, my loverly readers, do you have any tricks to sleeping while pregnant?  Any magic potions, that are safe for baby?  Or really just about anything that you've done that helps, because I am one tired momma and I would like to not rely on an afternoon nap if possible (it's a lot easier to get cleaning and work done when he's asleep, but I don't accomplish as much when I have to take a nap too!).  Thanks in advance for your tips!