Today is Sunday April 6, 2008.

Today i was pondering what sleep was. I know that sleep is something all animals and humans have to do. Most people need about 7 to 8 hours of it a night, some people need more or less. I know that without it our brains become silly or sometimes grumpy. But the thought kept me up, just what is sleep? My husband LOVES sleep. He talks so fondly of snuggling down with tons of pillows and blankets. He loves to brag how it only takes him a few seconds to fall asleep. He looks forward to sleeping and will do this as much as life will allow him to do so. I also enjoy sleeping. However, i have found that one can survive with hardly any. I have come to find this out after having children. My children have kept me awake for nearly 9 years....lol. My son loves to sleep, but he doesn't sleep well. He has been diagnosed with sleep apnea. He stops breathing randomly through out the night...causing him to be very restless. He also talks, walks and kicks in his sleep. I have found him many times sitting in bed eyes wide open and just staring around. I can talk with him and he will answer all of my questions....he is however, very much asleep! I remember one night i found him in the hall and i screamed because he scared me to death. He said he wanted to check the door. I told him the door was fine and that he needed to go back to bed. He had the wide eyes and i knew he was sleep walking....i have to tell you it is one of the strangest things to see.
I have a daughter who has many issues, but one issue has kept me up for nearly 5 years. She is always in pain. She can be up for hours in the middle of the night wanting me to "help" her with her hurting legs. We call these her flare-ups. She has been having these pretty much this whole last week and i have had very little sleep. So now i find myself asking the question what sleep is and what is the point of trying to get it. I already know the signs of sleep deprivation is.
1) eyes burning when you have just woken up.
2) Brain cant think at all for the first 2 hours after i am awake.
3) All i think about is chocolate and soda (caffeine and sugar)
4) I keep forgetting where my things are ....when they are right in front of me!

I want everyone to know....that i do function surprisingly well...for lack of sleep. I think the scary thing is...bodies do adapt.....but i wonder....will my body at one point want to make up the lost sleep?!?

Love,
mia