We’ve made some recent investments in our house and furniture, partly out of need, but mostly out of preparation and mentality that it will all be put on the back burner once the baby arrives. One of these investments was a sectional sofa to add an element of “feng shui” to our living room and allow for a much needed coffee table/ottoman. The change worked out two-fold because my parents were in desperate need to replace their 35-year old couches! (Seriously, they had been re-upholstered only once in my lifetime and had reached the “impossible to stand up” state). So, my parents took our “old” couches and we made room for the sectional.

I digress…

Julie’s sleeping patterns have changed considerably since her belly has grown and she can no longer sleep on her back or her stomach. She used to be out in a matter of minutes and hardly move a muscle all night.

Within the last month or so, her breathing during sleep has become considerably LOUDER. I’m a light sleeper as it is, and distractions make it nearly impossible for me to fall asleep. I’ve tried a few ways to drown out the nasal whistle, but when she is facing directly towards me, even the iPod doesn’t cover it up and still allow me to sleep.

My last resort was to get up, leave the bed to her, take my pillow and try out the new couch. I really had not even given it a spin for a Sunday afternoon nap, but it was long enough to stretch out on (strong selling point), so it was going to have to do. Low and behold, in a matter of minutes, I was out for the night. Julie woke up at some point during the night and I had to break the news to her that I was actually more relaxed out on the couch than I was in our own bed. I know she felt bad, but I assured her that I would have rather moved myself than woke her to complain.

She went back to bed and the next morning we each had a hard realization that we had each slept very well that night, better than recent memory.

My last resort has now become my first, in the event that either Julie’s breathing or our collective tossing and turning is preventing both of us from sleeping well… the couch has become my new best friend.

-RB