there is a monster in your closet and i am it

THEY (professionals) say the key to parenting is consistency. And really I can not agree more because it is easier for children to learn their limits and capabilities when they know what is and what is not expected of them. I think this is true for everyone, but when you become a parent, you have to re-learn that consistency is not 95% of the time, 95% of the time, but rather 100% of the time consistent, 95% of the time (everyone needs a little slack).

However, these past few nights have not been easy to say the least. It is Carnaval weekend here and the party is continuous night and day, with a lull from like 6:30am-10am. We live on the lake which, let me tell you is a blessing, but the way that sound carries over calm water is just not a blessing when there are clubs nearby.

And not only is it hard for me to sleep with house music thumping in my brain, but Zeph has been waking up around mid-night every night. Saturday night we slept with the air conditioning on pretty high and Zeph was only in a diaper, so about 2 am he woke up cold. "Nuggle, Mommy!" he said over and over and over and over (which means "snuggle" btw). So, I finally figured he was cold and brought him to snuggle and sleep in our bed.

Friday night and last night he just cried and cried and in my sleep deprived state, I am the one who became the monster he may have been dreaming about! My patience at those moments were short to say the least, but in the end Zeph one the battle. I couldn't keep to the code of waiting at least 45 min. to see if he would go back to sleep before going to check on him. It is difficult when there are no walls between us; that purposeful annoying cry just triggered my need to "turn it off"! Now just so we are all clear, "turning it off" is accomplished by me bringing Zeph to sleep with us...consistency, consistency, consistency will begin after Carnaval!!!!

ZEPH AND CLOSET MONSTERS BEWARE!