Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

When my son was born, MY bed became OUR bed. This was completely my choice and I've LOVED having him there. 


When we got dogs, OUR bed became THEIR bed. They're chihuahuas and I felt they were too little to be outside at night. (I know, they're dogs.. but they're itty bitty dogs...) Besides, how much more space could they really take up on our king sized bed?


When we got another dog... he joined in on the co-sleeping / family bed thing too. He's not a chihuahua.. but he's not a german shepard either. 


So for the past 7 and a half years I've been sharing my bed. With a growing boy (ok, barely growing.. but still), and three little dogs. But lately (honestly it's probably forever... ) I just haven't been sleeping right. 


The kid is a wiggle worm. He kicks and moves and flips and ends up it the weirdest positions that look so uncomfortable. This in itself wasn't a huge problem, annoying, but tolerable. It's his tiny size 12 feet that end up in my face that drive me insane! It is beyond impossible to sleep while being kicked in the face.. sorry kid, I tried.. but I'm over it!


Then there's the issue of the newest dog. Rocky is a little wild. When it's time for bed, he is the first to jump up there.. but the LAST to settle down. And he is a licker.. oh this dog and his tongue!! Then there's the fact that when he does finally settle down, he chooses to sleep ON my feet. As if that's even remotely comfortable for ME.. and heaven forbid I have the desire to switch positions while I sleep. And Rocky likes to get down from the bed and roam around the house in the middle of night. This wakes me up because his little nails are so loud on the wood floors.. and I have to jump up and try to stop him before he goes marking his territory all over the place. 


Last week I started by finally putting the dogs outside to sleep. It's been warmer, and they do have a dog house so it's really no big deal. Except my itty bittys now hate me. 


Then I decided it was time to get Mini-Me out of there. This kid is sworn against sleeping in his room for ANY reason. He's done it.. about 5 times in 7 years.. but it has been done. I admit he's gotten better about fighting me on this... but he's not going to go down easily. Last night's attempt at stalling was a good one. He says "Mom, every time I blink my stomach hurts." I couldn't help but laugh a little. Seriously kid?? Nice try... I said "So stop blinking. CLOSE your eyes completely and your stomach will be fine."  *One point for Mom. 


So the dogs were outside.. and Drew was in his OWN bed.... 


And I only got up 4 times through out the night to check on them. 


How does that saying go?... "I'll sleep when I'm dead"