Things that go BUMP in the night …
I have this problem that is only partially solved by wearing earplugs – I hear things at night. Things that wake me out of a sound sleep into a heart-pounding adrenaline rush of fears. Last night I heard four or five distinct and LOUD thumps – like someone was banging things around in the house – or something. Then I just laid there for an hour – afraid to get up and go see what had happened, feeling like such a whimp because, what if it was something to do with one of my kids? But I was NOT even getting out of bed. I didn’t even want to move around in bed too much in case someone was standing outside my door trying to see if I were awake.
See?? This is a problem! I’m a complete paranoid at night! This morning I got up and took a tour of my house (after the sun had come up, of course). There was NOTHING – no signs of anything out of order. Every one is safe, happy, well-rested … no one heard a thing. Is is possible that there was NO NOISE?? I wonder. But it was so loud ….
You never know, one of your kids could have been sleep walking!
I keep a HUGE Maglite flashlight right under the corner of my bed. I’m too chicken to become a concealed-weapon owner, so the Maglite is my first line of self defense! That, and my super-high kicks! I’m pretty tough! (Well, at least that’s what I tell myself!)
Good luck sleeping tonight!
I can totally relate. Only difference is now I poke your dad and tell him to get up and investigate.
Adrie,
Your flashlight suggestion is a good one – Tom has this solid metal mini bat that I used to keep by my bed when we were younger – maybe I need to get it out again. Can you see me creeping around my darkened house ready to bean someone??
Mom,
I was sitting up in bed with my hand on Tom’s shoulder waiting for the thump to come one more time before I woke him up. But then I talked myself out of it.
Maybe it was your hardwood floor cracking. Seriously. My new floor woke me up a few times during the first few weeks because it was shrinking. Or whatever.
I’m glad the boogie man didn’t get you :).