Eliot's Travels

Jetlag STINKS

I had grand ideas of Eliot going to school on Wednesday. I figured the kids would adjust quickly like they did in May. The week was a disaster. The experts say it takes about a day for each hour of time zone difference to return to normal. It took us 7 days for our 9 hour difference (we were on California time when we returned).

There is nothing more frustrating than wiggly boys (who just are not tired, because it feels like the middle of the day) and laying in bed knowing you have to get to sleep but can't. It is amazing how fast the hours go by when you are just hoping you'll sleep, laying there. Next thing you know it is 2 am, then 3, 4, then 5 am. Jim was working, so he mostly laid in bed and took a sleep aid. After hours laying there, I got up with the boys so they could play. Even if I took melatonin, the boys were still way off, so someone had to be up with them. I would lay on the couch until we were so tired that we'd fall asleep.

* Tuesday night, we went to bed at 6 am; I woke up at 9:30, boys at 11:30 Wed
* Wednesday night, asleep at 5 am; forced me up at 9:30, boys at 10:00 Thurs
* Thursday night, asleep at 4 am; forced everone up at 8:30 Fri
* Friday night, asleep at 2 am; forced everyone up at 8:00 Sat

Needless to say, as time moved toward 6/5/4 am each morning, I gave up on school. No one can function on 2 hours of sleep. Monday it would happen no matter what!

We lost a whole week to the jetlag fog. Jim did better because he had to go to work and talk with clients and such. Plus each day that passed, he was able to subtract a day to his "x days left at Ensim" mantra. I made the mistake of not leaving the house on Wednesday and Thursday, even though we had plans. Friday we forced ourselves up "early" and out to the store. This weekend would be better!

We had a complete meltdown with Eliot on Wednesday night at 4 am (Miles was sleeping pretty better than anyone and was asleep). He kept woke me up a second time (I was finally asleep) by thrashing around. I just lost it and sent him downstairs. I was exhausted and at my end. Well, he was hysterical, even with Jim trying to comfort him. He wanted mommy, only mommy. After 20 minutes of hysteria, I went down to bring him up to snuggle. Jim was sure that it was 6 am, but only about 30 minutes had passed during the fit. Time is mysterious.

posted by Whitney @ 9:01 AM