Sleep, oh sleep-where art thou.....

This morning as I left for my workout at 5am, Rafe woke up and called for me.  He was visibly upset, about to cry, shaking.  He said he had a bad dream, so I asked him what it was about and he says he can't tell me because it's too scary.  I rub his back, reassure him it was just a dream and move him to my bed with Matt and Meredyth, who had come to bed with us at 3.  Yes, 3. 

Meredyth is four years old and is a strong reminder of why I don't want more babies.  She is like living with an infant she's up so much at night!   She often tosses and turns through the night, she calls out, she screams, she fusses.  Sometimes she thrashes and will literally kick me and scream (all with her eyes closed).  In fact, I think my infants were easier, get up, feed them and burp them and put them back to bed!

And I digress......back to Rafe.  I settle him into my bed, he then says (in a shaky and frightened voice) "Mom, there was a little girl, she kept touching my leg....and she is still in our house."  I reassure him it was just a dream again and leave for my workout.  But now I have the creeps, big time.  Ever since Rafe was little, he sees a little girl quite often, most often in my sister's basement.....but now she frequents our house too. 

So needless to say it was another restless night.  Never in my life have I had trouble sleeping until the past few months.  And it's not just the kids keeping me up, my body just won't go to sleep.  I lay there, my heart racing, my mind racing......next thing I know it's morning and I've looked at the clock 867 times! 

I need to figure out a routine to get myself to sleep better.  I'm terrible about playing on the computer or watching tv before bed, which I know are big no-no's if you are having trouble sleeping.  But evenings are rough for me, I have a hard time winding down.  I'm going to try drinking sleepy time tea, reading my book and see how that goes.  Any other suggestions are welcome!  Happy sleeping friends!