Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Cup

3:30 AM, my alarm sounds. The alarm is a rooster crowing. Cock-a-doodle doo--over and over and over. At that point I have two choices; I can hit "snooze" to delay the inevitable, and invite the rooster back into my bedroom in 10 minutes, or I can hit the "off" button, which silences that squawking bird for the next 24 hours, but means that I need to get up. Arguably, the most annoying alarm ever, but that's the point.

Why am I setting my alarm before the real roosters start crowing? I need to pump. My goal is to get the job done while remaining drowsy, so that I can drift off again once my 20 minutes of "milking" are over.

I get up, and grab my empty cup off the nightstand. I always get so thirsty pumping. I fill the cup with water, then use the chamber pot toilet--I have this thing about flushing in the middle of the night. It disrupts the quiet too much for my liking. As I sit there, I force my foggy brain to think, "Cup. Cup. Cup. Don't forget the cup."

I go back to bed, prop pillows up, and hook up to the pump. After a few minutes I reach for the cup. It's not there. It's 10 feet away from me on the bathroom counter. Really? Ugh! I unhook myself, grab the cup and commence being a Guernsey.

Ah--the sweet relief of water to my parched throat. You would think that such a feeling would help me to remember the cup full of that refreshing water on the bathroom counter. But, no. I forget it every. single. night. Amazing! I think I'm going crazy. Or, maybe it's just that I haven't slept through the night in approximately 18 months. Either way, I definitely need a new system, because clearly my memory is sleeping at 3:30 along with the roosters.

5 comments:

Kendra said...

Girl I can not believe you get up at that time to pump every night. You are a seriously dedicated Mama!! I bow to you!!!!!!

Valerie said...

I have a similar situation. With my pumping through the day, I always forget my cup of water on the counter. I just have to have that ice cold glass of water as I pump. I would love to know more... how often you pump and if you do it just to have supply for your babies... My twins get 1/2 and 1/2 at this point and it great. I'm hoping to stop soon as they turn a year next week!

Anonymous said...

Before bed put 2 full cups of water on your nightstand. One for immediate consumption and the other for 3am. Always stay 1 step ahead of the inevitable! :)
xo,
Lai

Alice H said...

Wow, Kendra's right. That's some serious dedication! I, too, am forgetful...and always thirsty with nursing. I keep a gigantic hospital cup with lid and straw on my nightstand to last me the whole night and to prevent clumsy spills.

Valerie said...

I have a similar situation. With my pumping through the day, I always forget my cup of water on the counter. I just have to have that ice cold glass of water as I pump. I would love to know more... how often you pump and if you do it just to have supply for your babies... My twins get 1/2 and 1/2 at this point and it great. I'm hoping to stop soon as they turn a year next week!