Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like). Please feel free to link up and follow any or all of our hostesses, which are below.
- JANINE
- STEPHANIE
- KRISTI
And now for this week’s sentence to finish: “I used to love...”
And the next sentence to finish: “I wasn’t really myself when I…”
I used to love….
Sleep!!
Through my formative years, I loved sleep. If I could have made a living from sleeping, I would have.
Sadly though all good things must come to an end and with two little kids 16 months apart, I stopped sleeping right actually during my first pregnancy.
I remember being told back when I was pregnant with Emma to enjoy sleep while I could.
Seriously who could enjoy sleep so pregnant, huge belly and having to get up to pee all the time.
The dynamics are just not for allowing to sleep or enjoy it for that matter.
Then, I had Emma and from the first night she had her days and nights screwed up.
Oh and she had colic, too.
So every night at around 11pm like clockwork she screamed into the wee hours of the night.
Conan and I became very good friends from this. And my couch was where we would finally settle. But sleep was not to happen those nights until very late and then she would be up again by 7 or 8 at the latest. To say, I was exhausted and fried was the understatement of the year!
And when this died down, teething reared its ugly head.
And then came Lily. Even though she was a very good baby in comparison. I still had one night feeding for the first few months, plus Emma who was still teething would be up some nights. Thank god for Kevin, who did help, but still sleep was a rare commodity
So you guess it more broken sleep and sleepless nights were endured. And this lasted off and on for about 3 years in total. This vicious cycle of someone always seeming to wake me.
However now that I can sleep, it is liking retraining my body.
Seriously, I still wake at least one time a night, because my body just got used to it, I suppose.
So miss sleeping late and not having a care in the world. Oh and hot dinners, but that is a story for another time.
So how about you, what did you used to love??

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Billybuc says
That's an easy one….I used to love alcohol waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. 🙂 Have a great Friday Janine!
Janine Huldie says
Totally makes sense and totally understand your answer Bill. Thanks for sharing and being just you. Happy Friday right back at you!!
findingninee says
OMG I miss sleep like that. Only recently, my husband has been letting me sleep in on the weekends where it's actually worked. He was letting me sleep in about a year (maybe more) ago and honestly, I couldn't. I think it's some weird mom hormone.
My recent post Forgotten loves
Janine Huldie says
I know as much as I love my girls Kristi, I really do miss sleep. I was so the first to be able to sleep in when I was younger and lived for it, now not so much. I have to agree that it may very well be hormonal!!
Sarah says
I remember when I was in Target once with my infant daughter, and I must have looked terrible, because a woman told me, "It gets so much better once they sleep through the night." And it soooo does! Those early years truly make you understand why sleep deprivation is a form of torture!
My recent post What a Renaissance Man Taught Me About Identity
Janine Huldie says
Sarah, so true and I swear even though they sleep through the night, I now admittedly don't some nights. God hope I hope as they get older that will change for me and I will somehow revert back a bit to how I used to love to sleep. It is a nice dream, I suppose!!
stephsprenger says
I seriously have no idea how you did it, Janine. Colic sounds miserable. And also- your comment on my post made me laugh and also kind of want to cry. That is horrible!!! Poor you…
My recent post Why It Sucks To Take Your Children Out In Public
Janine Huldie says
Stephanie, I still honestly don't know how I did. I remembered being quite panicky when I first found out I was pregnant again so quickly. When the shock wore off, I just did what came naturally and god help me it did all work out for the most part. As for my comment on your blog, I seriously couldn't make that up if I tried and if it wasn't so crazy, I too probably would have cried, but again I was on auto pilot and just did what I had to in those both instances. And you are so right thank god for doggy bags, because that was the only way I ate ot those times!
Ruchira says
Sleep…I loved sleep too.
Infact I prefer to sleep till 8am on Saturday's with a do not disturb sign near my bedside table 🙂
Voted for ya, J9
Janine Huldie says
Oh wish I could have a do not disturb sign!! Thanks Ruchira 🙂
tinarobmorley says
Interrupted sleep and cold dinners… I know the story! Thankfully, you'll be eating hot dinners again eventually and hopefully you'll be able to sleep better so long as the kids aren't sick. 🙂
Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog. I always enjoy hearing from you!
My recent post Make My Saturday Sweet – Blog Hop #45
Janine Huldie says
So true Christina and I know as soon as the kids are sick all bets are really off in this area. My pleasure and commenting on your blog, too and hoping you are enjoying your weekend now!! 🙂
lrconsiderer says
I love naps, but I never loved going to bed or sleeping at night. I fear that once my job starts, this is something I'm going to have to start getting used to, and my exuberant 'stay up all night because I can' days will become a 'used to' love. Sleep is so overrated!
My recent post 7 Quick Takes 42 x FTSF
Janine Huldie says
I remember working full time and sadly yes, I did go to bed earlier, but was also up earlier. I think you will figure out what works best for you and I knew you would say that sleep was overrated, lol!! 🙂
lrconsiderer says
Ahhh how well you know me 🙂 I'm putting off the 'figuring out' til absolutely the last minute 🙂 'Up earlier' is definitely something which will have to be accommodated soon. Bah humbug!
My recent post 7 Quick Takes 42 x FTSF
Janine Huldie says
I do know you pretty well and seriously sure you will figure it out my friend!! 🙂
My recent post I Used to Love…FTSF 32
Karen says
ah yes, sleep and I used to be good friends too… I could never sleep during pregnancy either Janine…I would need a pillow and blankets positioned all around me…darn prego pillows sucked.
oh my the mixed up days/nights, the teething, sleep training…so glad it's all over…now I have other things to worry about, LOL
My recent post I USED TO LOVE…
Janine Huldie says
Karen, those pillows never worked for me either an being that I used to love sleeping on my stomach, I was screwed for the onset on this one. But after having issues with my back I have to sleep more on my back and/or side, so that also might be why I don't sleep as good. But you are right I have things that have taken sleeps place in the love department I suppose!!
The Dose of Reality says
Hahahaha. YES!! I used to love sleep… in fact I STILL love sleep, I just don't know it was well as I used to!
(and I am totally sure that pregnancy non-sleeping is nature's way to prepare you for the sleeplessness to come with a baby!) –Lisa
My recent post Pinterest Nightmare #210: Bikini Jeans
Janine Huldie says
Lisa, I couldn't agree more and do think pregnancy non-sleep does help in preparing us for what is to come!!
massholemommy says
Sleep? What's that? My nine year old STILL gets up at 5 am every day! Since the day he was born.
My recent post Yet Another August Birthday (A Birth Story)
Janine Huldie says
Ughh, I have an almost 3 year old that now loves to not go to bed until almost 11 pm lately. So, I think we all know the feeling one way or the other!!
Rosey says
Aww, bless your heart. Kids are worth every single second, but it's def. not easy. And the hot dinner thing… yeah, I have to go to a restaurant to get one of those. 😉
My recent post Short but Very Sweet
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Rosey and I know you could relate and then some. Hope you have a great weekend now!! 🙂
Sara says
I would pick sleep too. I love when people tell you to sleep while you can. Ha ha. When I was preggers I felt like I was up every hour peeing. I especially miss my lazy Sunday afternoons where Tommy would watch football and I would watch Lifetime movies. Now my house is pure chaos and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
My recent post To Move Or Not To Move
Janine Huldie says
Sara,, I hated that statement more then you know and try so hard when seeing a newly pregnant woman to remember that and not utter that same phrase. But yes I wouldn't trade the craziness now for anything!! 🙂
Brigid O'Malley says
Oh, Janine, I am sooooooo with you on the missing sleep (and hot meals) — I just try not to think about it, or I might cry. LOL. I love my Liam, but sometimes I just want some uninterrupted sleep and time to eat (while my food is still hot!).
Have a great weekend! 🙂
-Brigid
My recent post Love: Then and Now
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Brigid for sharing it isn't just me. I love them so much, but I am tired and hungry many times now. Someday we will get our sleep and hot meals again, if only!! And have a wonderful weekend, too 🙂
tamaralikecamera says
I definitely still love sleep – sometimes I get it and sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night for no reason at all! I used to love…living in a city. All of that excitement and everything open 24/7. Now I love living in the country. I actually live in a city but it's a small city and we somehow found a house in a clearing in the woods, and there is nothing city-like about it. In fact, the darkness and the silence are almost unsettling late at night, which brings us back to sleep! I'd rather sleep in a city, I think.
My recent post Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party: Back To School RULES!
Janine Huldie says
Tamara, it is the same here. There are nights where I can sleep straight through and then others not so much. About two weeks ago I had 3 nights straight where I was awake at 4 am and tossing and turning for the rest of the night. No reason just couldn't sleep. I grew up in the city, too, but do like the suburbs. Not sure I can do rural or country, but the suburbs fit me nicely at this point in my life. Have a great weekend my friend!! 🙂
notinjersey says
we are finally able to sleep a bit over here, but there are nights when at least one kid wakes up (either the oldest or youngest usually!). also Dave wakes up to use the bathroom and I don't get a full night as I should. however I'm sleeping in the mornings till 8 and next week I have to get up by 7 for school!
My recent post Mommy Camp Week 4
Janine Huldie says
Dara, yes when my husband gets up to use the bathroom or coms to bed after me I usually wake, too. So you are right it isn't just the kids, but being a light sleeper I suppose now after training myself to hear the kids when they needed me as babies now I pretty much hear anything and everything!!
NuggetOnABudget says
Oh sleep. I think this is every mother's dream ~ to be able to sleep a peaceful, full night's sleep without any interruptions! Sofia didn't sleep through the night until I stopped nursing her…and of course by then, I was halfway through my pregnancy this time and was waking up to pee and to switch positions all night. I think we just get used to it! A good thing, because who knows when it goes back to normal ~ when the kids are in college? Lol.
My recent post what's in my hospital bag.
Janine Huldie says
I know college sounds about right Kera. And I know that feeling Emma was finally sleeping pretty much through the night and then I had Lily. Now she was a good baby, but still had to get up for her night feeding. But trust me it does get better, just not sure when it will be full night sleeping for us though!
Chris @HyeThymeCafe says
No kids, but I can totally related to the no sleep problem! Don't know why, but I've been that way since I was a kid. Sadly, my nights are getting shorter, and I'm seeing more and more sunrises before seeing the back of my eyelids these days! Hopefully you'll be able to re-set your inner clock and get back on a regular cycle. Although I suppose with little ones in the house, you pretty much always sleep with one eye and one ear open…just in case.
My recent post Chewy Nutella Oatmeal Cookies
Janine Huldie says
Chris, I am sorry you too have issues with sleeping and know what you mean about shorter nights for some reason and yes I am always sleeping with one ear listening and one open, too for my girls!!
@TaoOfPoop says
Oh, woman. You know how much I relate to your words. One day, one day….
My recent post I Used to Love
Janine Huldie says
I will so repeat those words and hope they are true Rachel. But kind of happy to know that t truly isn't just me!!
Michelle Liew says
Rest well, Janine…….they're older, so get some sleep now!
My recent post Aunt Em’s perfect words to say to end a relationship
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Michelle, but you I still can't help but have myself trained otherwise!!
Erica @ ABM4 says
I exclusively breast fed our youngest for 6 months. My husband used to ask me why I was so tired- like I was faking it or something. He has many good qualities, but this was not a bright shiny moment in our marriage.
My recent post 3 Childhood Movies You Should Never Watch as an Adult
Janine Huldie says
Erica, I know, because we too have had a few of those bright shiny moments in our marriage too and it usually about sleep and being tired ironically!!
Leah Davidson says
I'll have to join in and say sleep. I still love it, I guess. Need more of it for sure. But, I now feel like there is always something that is more pressing, or more exciting than sleep. Until I get to sleep again and remember how much I love it!
My recent post Happiest Times
Janine Huldie says
Oh Leah, it is the same here. I miss it truly and still remember how much I loved it. Hopefully we get it again someday soon!!
realhousewife says
Oh man…Janine, I worked in a sleep lab for several years:). But the issues you had sound normal and there isn't anything one can do during such times. No magic pills to replace sleep!
I have been trying to reverse my sleep schedule after being on nights so many years…I still wake up at 2:00 am and want to go to the cafeteria for lunch! Haha. It's the habits that are built into our circadian rhythm. Hard to change that cycle!
Janine Huldie says
Kelly, I knew you would explain in scientific terms and thank you for that, but in any old language it just sucks not to get as much sleep as I once did (at least for me)!! Lol 🙂
clark says
sleep? (for nothing even remotely the same reason) I have found that I sleep less than I did at a prior time in life. When in high school college, I often could sleep well into the day (making up for that by staying up late into the night). Now… I can't remember that last time I slept (not counting being sick… when I get to the point of counting being sick as a noteworthy aspect of my life…please tell me to stop writing! lol) past 7:30am
But I like early morning and, while I enjoy staying up late (when I can bridge the 'fall asleep at 8:30pm section of the evening), I have to make a deliberate effort to do so.
Interesting how things change….
My recent post “newspaper taxis appear on the shore, waiting to take you away’ the Wakefield Doctrine (while the album plays, the Sentence is Finished, this Friday)
Janine Huldie says
I am so with you on this Clark and I think the latest I slept was 8 am in recent times and yes I can stay up a bit later past midnight, but still wake up around the same time, too!!
pictimilitude says
I used to love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I was a kid. Now, I can't STAND them, haha. I hope you have a great weekend. 🙂
My recent post Ten Things of Thankful
Janine Huldie says
Lol, I was just saying how when I was pregnant with Lily I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Now I can't stand to look at them either, lol!! Have a great weekend, too Cyndi!! 🙂
Stephanie says
Been there!!! If I ever thought Lily was a bad sleeper, I'll take everything back, she was a super-sleeper. Violet would wake up 5 to 6 times a night and wanted to nurse, for months, and it had to be me. I was working 40+ hour weeks and oftentimes simply wanted to cry fro exhaustion. Still not used to not getting enough sleep..
My recent post Some Things Do Change
Janine Huldie says
I know Stephanie even though they are pretty much sleeping through the night now, still not getting enough sleep here either as you could tell from this post. Maybe someday!!
Lisa says
AHHH, sleep. That is a depressing thing to think about. You just happened to have mentioned one of the more enraging memories I have during pregnancy which was people telling me to enjoy sleeping while I could. Who the hell was enjoying sleep while pregnant?! ……..(I actually just had to pull my hands off of the keyboard here because I felt myself about to rage all over your comments feed about this.)
OK, now that my rude-pregnancy-comments rage has passed, I will also add that I just started reading a book that is having a dramatically positive effect on my sleep called "I Can Make You Sleep," by Paul McKenna. I am loving it so just thought I'd pass it on!:)
My recent post My First Blog Hop!
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so much Lisa for sharing this here with me and am going to try to look into it, because I am willing to try anything to get more sleep!!
Dara says
This is SO true! I used to be a morning person…until I had kids! Now, I'm all messed up. *sigh* The little buggers are lucky they're cute. :p
My recent post Thanks For The Memories, Austin!
Janine Huldie says
Dara, I was never a morning person, but now I am forced to be and so true they are so lucky they are cute, lol!! 🙂
Dani Ryan says
Bahahahaha! I know what you mean about sleep! I wish I had slept more when I was pregnant. I was NOT prepared for the kind of sleep deprivation I endured during those first 7 months. I didn't sleep more than 20 consecutive minutes the first 3.5 weeks (and I was in labor for 36 hours AND spent the 3rd night of my daughters life in the ER because she was jaundice, which meant I went a full 24 hours with NO sleep at all), and she also had her days and nights confused. I was up multiple times a night until 7 months, and then when I could sleep all night, I would wake up with sore boobs. Now? I stay up WAY too late blogging (like right now!) and I get up early to work out. So I am still very, very sleep deprived. 🙂
My recent post 8 free (and easy!) weight loss tips that work for me
Janine Huldie says
Dani, this is why I love you, because god yes even now when I could be and should be sleeping I am up and blogging. But yes to all of the above with how I didn't sleep for so many months because of colic and Emma having her days and nights screwed up, too. And then I decided to do it all over again only 16 short months later. I must have been crazy, lol!! But as someone else said to me in one of the previous comments, thank god they are cute!!!
babygatesdown says
I agree re: sleep. Oh how I miss it. My husband and I trade off weekend days so each of us gets one day a week where we can KIND OF sleep in – like MAYBE until 9:00. It's pretty heavenly – but NOTHING like being able to waste a morning away – or roll out of bed at 11:00 on a weekend. YES – I miss that!
My recent post Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens
Janine Huldie says
The switching off sounds heavenly and if my body would allow it, I am sure my husband would comply. But damn I still can't seem to sleep past 8 am nowadays on weekends. Seriously do miss those days though that I too could have stayed in bed until 11 or later!!
marykatbpcsc45 says
What does it feel like to sleep? I have not been able to this week either. 🙂 Hope you get a good night of zzzz tonight.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Mary and if I knew I would so share it with you!!!
Christina DiPersia says
I am currently going through the realization that sleep is a commodity that is long lost and won't be found for a very long time. I didn't sleep well most of my pregnancy and I only had one night where my daughter slept through the night in the 11+ weeks since I've given birth (and I still had to wake up 2x to pump since I was engorged). I look forward to when I get some more sleep regularly.
Janine Huldie says
Christina, can totally relate and so sorry that you too have had a similar experience with sleep. Here is to hoping we all get better sleep real soon!
anothercleanslate says
Hopefully you start getting more sleep the older they get!
Janine Huldie says
Oh I hope Katie, I hope!!! 🙂
a happier girl says
Amen. My husband sleeps like the dead. How I wish I could do have that luxury!
Janine Huldie says
I know the feeling happier girl and wish I too could sleep like the dead!!
Judy Haughton-James says
I don't sleep too badly these days. I get up at least once but sometimes it takes a while to get back to sleep and all sorts of ideas keep racing through my mind and I am too tired to get up and write them down!:) I used to watch a lot of television programmes. I remember the days when my twin and I would stay up very late watching a variety of shows. These days I mainly watch the news, a few music shows and big sports events. I am usually in bed no later than 9 p.m. Oh how the times have changed. Such is life.
My recent post Question Time
Janine Huldie says
I know Judy times sure do change. Last night, I watched my neighbor across the street that I used to babysit for go out with his girlfriend to begin his night around 9 pm. Like you I am too tired by 9 pm to even think about just beginning the night anymore. Maybe another lifetime ago, but not now anymore!! Hope you have a great rest of your weekend now!! 🙂
gigigirl says
Sleep was always one of my favorites in my younger days. Now I enjoy sleeping less and having good morning time. Have to say, I don't miss too much and glad to have such a happy retirement. Of course, I wish those who are not with us on this planet any longer were here….them I miss! xxoo
Janine Huldie says
Ihere you on those who are no longer with us. I try verymuch to be happy for what I have because of it, but will admit I still do miss sleep a bit for some reason. Thanks Aunt Gloria and xoxo!! 🙂
cgacad says
While I would rather have a crying baby, I am very grateful that I get to sleep in on weekends. Being able to wake up whenever I want, when I feel rested, must be one of the greatest joys in life.
Janine Huldie says
I know Catherine how you feel and trust me I do miss sleep, I wouldn't trade my girls for the world (except maybe when they are screaming or whining, lol!!).
canigetanotherbottleofwhine says
I went two years without sleep. My oldest son had night terrors every night, 2-5 times a night. He couldn't be consoled. I was a major grouch those two years.
My recent post Stick a Cork In It! (Weekend Update #26)
Janine Huldie says
Oh I am not even sure what I would have done there. Colic was bad enough, but I truly feel for with night terrors.
Alma says
I used to love sleep too!! I haven't gotten an uninterrupted night of sleep since Jan 2012. Pregnancy was toss n turn all night and my now one year old has refused to sleep through the night (ANY night) up until now lol. Followed you from the Mom's Monday Mingle. Have an awesome week ahead!
My recent post Budget Sesame Street Birthday Party
Janine Huldie says
Thanks for the follow Alma and will be checking out your blog in a bit, too. I know all about the lack of sleep and so sorry though it isn't just me and you, too!!