Monday, September 29, 2008

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Lately Maddy has been having a little bit of a difficult time getting to sleep. The other night, I put her to bed. I didn't hear anything from upstairs, and I thought that she was asleep --Not! I was doing laundry and all of sudden, there she was behind me! I almost stepped on her! She couldn't get to sleep, she said. Sometimes she does that to extend the "going to bed ritual" a bit. I took her back to bed, gave her a Tylenol and fav stuffed animal. I thought she was all settled in and would be asleep shortly. So, I was back downstairs watching some season premieres of the new tv season -- you know I've been waiting all summer for some new tv shows!!! I heard her get up, but nothing else, so figured she must have gone back to bed. I went into the kitchen about 30-45 minutes later and there she was -- just sitting on a chair quietly, staring into space, not saying a thing! About scared me out of my wits! She didn't say a single word and I carried her back upstairs to bed. She still didn't say anything as she got into bed and immediately went to sleep. Do you think she was sleepwalking?

When she was younger, occasionally she would have night terrors. Now, that was really frightening -- maybe more so to me than to her, since she didn't remember them. What happened was that I would hear her crying and some loud noises. When I went to her room, I would find her in a corner of the room kicking and crying, looking absolutely terrified and acting like she was trying to get away from something. The next day, she had no memory of it whatsoever. It didn't happen very often, but occasionally, and it seemed that it would happen on nights when she was really fatigued. That hasn't happened in a very long time, so I think she grew out of it. I'm hoping we don't have a little sleepwalker on our hands as we have a rather steep staircase from the upstairs to downstairs -- guess I may have to find and dust off the baby gate!

13 comments:

missy said...

By your description I would have to say that she probably was sleep walking, especially if she didn't say anything.

Paige had night terrors, too. Aren't they awful??? Give me a sleepwalker any night.

I hope you all have a better night tonight!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Those night terrors sound terrible....I would say she was sleepwalking....my sister did this for a long time...we would find her all over the house!!

I could only imagine how scared you were when you saw her in the kitchen!!!

Do you think maybe it was the tylenol? Sometimes meds can have weird effects!!

Keep us posted!

Lisa

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Those night terrors sound, well...terrifying! For you and for her! I am trying to prepare for this type of behavior since we are close to putting my daughter into a bed instead of a crib. Not sure I'm ready to be surprised like that though! :)
Carrie

Anonymous said...

How scary! Oh my friend, I hope that this is short lived.

Please let us know.

Hugs,

Krista

Lori said...

Oooh, that's interesting, I don't know. One of mine sometimes gets up if he "can't sleep" and it always freaks me out because you just don't expect it and he's always so quiet. Mine is just being sneaky though and thankfully it doesn't happen often.
I hope you all get a good night sleep tonight.

Shari said...

Oh man! Poor Maddy! I bet it did scare you when you found her sitting in the kitchen! Poor little thing!!! I am glad she is not having night terrors as that sounds just awful!! I don't know much about sleepwalking but it sure seems possible that is what she was doing.

Lisa said...

I bet you are right, she probably was sleep walking. My sister used to do that too, and then she grew out of it.

Donna said...

Wow, I bet you were a little freaked out! Emma suffered from night terrors her first six months or so home, but she's a pretty sound sleeper now. Hope Maddy is back to her normal sleeping habits soon...

Jodee said...

Sounds like you have a cute little sleep walker on your hands to me! You better get out your gate fast!

Kate said...

Wow...that would have startled me...and then scared me with the sleepwalking thing! It sure sounds like that is what it was though! My brother was quite the sleepwalker and my mom never quite knew where she would find him!

I hope you all sleep better tonight! Did Maddy remember it in the morning?

Shawnstribe said...

oh my, we havent had that happen yet, quite a startle, our lil girls throw so many surprises our way.
Will pray for a good nights sleep for all
xxx
s
UK

Kerry said...

It sure sounds like sleep walking. Especially given her silence and not calling out for you. Hum. Has she been overtired or out of her bed time routine.

So hope this too passes. So hard when our kiddos do not sleep well. Keep us posted.

Bridget said...

Not sure but it does sound like sleepwalking. Lucy has had several bouts with night terrors and I just can't stand it - it makes me quite sad. I hope Maddy is sleeping better.