Sleeping on the Job

Now I'm sure this has happened to every parent at some point over the course of the years, probably more than once, probably more than twice.  I'm just willing to admit that I allow this to happen.  Now I just want to say that my mornings start anywhere between 5:15-5:45.  I am fueled by roughly 4 1/2 hours of sleep on a nightly basis.  I say nightly because I catch a nap when the kids sleep, and any spare minutes here and there during the day.  I mean honestly Ella and Aiden are watching a movie, Riley is taking a nap... how can you resist letting those heavy eyelids to close?  Even for 5 minutes?  I'm here to say, I can't!  Isn't it a guilty feeling when you wake up from nodding off and you don't know what time it is or even what day?  Now that was some pretty heavy nodding.  But the relief is that the kids haven't moved and you realize it's only been 2 minutes.

This morning Brian called from work to see how things were going.  Now if you call me, 9 times out of 10 Aiden will be the one to answer.  For some reason he wants to be the one to do it, talk for a few minutes then he's cool.  If he doesn't answer he is usually having a meltdown in the background during my whole conversation.  This is why I like having ring tones for people.  There's only one ring tone (which is unknown callers) that I don't let him answer so it's worked out pretty well.  Call it enabling or whatever, but I've chosen not to fight this battle.  Anyway, back to Brian.  Phone rings, so I gave the phone to Aiden.  "Talk to Daddy" I said.  So Aiden happily takes the phone and starts pacing around the room.  I guess somewhere between me handing him the phone and him pacing I fell asleep.  Upon waking up in that delusional state I saw Ella sitting in the floor stringing beads, remembered that Riley was sleeping, and Aiden...where's Aiden?  "Aiden!" I yelled.  I heard him in his room.  OK.  Every one's accounted for...my eyes began to slowly close again.  Then I abruptly sat up.  Oh, yeah...Brian!  I had Aiden bring me the phone.  "Brian?  You still there?"  "Yeah, I'm here."  "Umm, hey...how long have you been on the phone with Aiden?" (you know trying to sound all innocent like)  "Four minutes."   *sigh of relief* Well I have to say it didn't really come as surprise when I told him what had happened.  His response was, "Who can we call to come over and watch the kids so you can sleep?"  Oh, what a sweet husband.  Now don't everyone volunteer at once!  I would never allow anyone to come watch my children so I could sleep.  Just seems wrong.  But if anyone else wants to come forward and admit that they too sleep on the job please, say "I".