People, I am close to the breaking point.
I seriously have not had a good, uninterrupted night's sleep ALL WEEK. After weeks of normalcy, freaking Simba has suddenly started his Evil Nighttime Routine anew. I can't speak for what he does all day while Nick and I are at work, but all evening as we're puttering around the condo, making dinner and watching TV (or in my case lately, obsessively blogging and commenting) he is absolutely fine. Outgoing even, for him... he'll stay in the living room with us, often right up on the top of the couch. Totally content, game for a little chin scratch once in a while, no issues whatsoever.
But oh lord, the second we go to bed it is a WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY. It's like something flips a switch and he goes totally postal, just pacing around and mindlessly crying. NOTHING seems to provoke it. And NOTHING will make him settle down. Sometimes just for fun, he waits until we've been asleep for an hour or two and then starts it up. It usually happens several times a night. We're NEVER able to sleep through it.
We're getting desperate, people. Willing to try anything possible to Stop the Madness.
He has a vet appointment next Thursday to rule out any sort of physical ailment.
There's even been talk of getting a nightlight, in case he is afraid of the dark.
And yes, I am aware of how completely ludicris that is, given that he is a cat. I am functioning on VERY LITTLE SLEEP HERE and the crazed, desperate side of Kimmers has totally taken over. The last time the crying woke me up last night, I had all I could do not to burst into frustrated tears. The circles under my eyes are getting terrifying. I cried approximately 2,000 times this week, for no reason at all. Nick was ever so pleased.
I am truly afraid of the consequences if he doesn't let me sleep in a little on Saturday. Mama needs to catch up on a little sanity.
oh no. I truly feel for you. Without sleep I am a wreck so I can picture what you're going through! When our dog was keeping us up, we put him in a different room for the night (so he couldn't hang out outside the bedroom door) and, in the bedroom, put on a loud fan to drown out external noise. That helped a little... let us know what the vet says and if there's anything that can be done.
Posted by: spleeness | August 04, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Seriously, I think Simba is ready for a companion cat. I've got (way too) many cats and some of them are what I like to call second-shifters. The come alive when we go to bed, then they sleep all day.
Posted by: Carrie | August 02, 2008 at 07:21 PM
I have to admit, my dog has a nightlight for that reason. We never had one before we got her. Good luck :)
Posted by: Sheri Weppel | August 02, 2008 at 02:49 PM
matt - I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. ;)
Posted by: Kimmers | August 02, 2008 at 01:10 AM
nat - Oh lord I will cry if this truly is a Preview to Motherhood!
tiffany - I don't know if he didn't cry or if the exhaustion his me... but I fell into bed like a rock last night and FINALLY slept through the night!!
jaci - Ohhhhhh we have a (very loud) air conditioner AND a fan, both in our bedroom. This cat has a cry like a mountain lion.
haute pocket - My cat is an eating machine too. He eats 4 pieces of kibble at a time, about 60 times a day, and anxiously monitors the amount of food in his bowl at all times. And Simba really looks like the Disney character, and when Nick is feeling silly, sometimes he holds him up Pride Rock Style and sings Lion King songs. Which Simba so appreciates!
Posted by: Kimmers | August 02, 2008 at 01:09 AM
I suggest slow roasted or barbeque with a nice honey glaze. Make sure you clean them thoughly because their hair get everywhere and don't cook them too long. They get tough if you do that.
Peace.
Matt
www.idealcrap.com
Posted by: Matt | August 01, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Ok, two things:
1. That is HILARIOUS. Our cat wakes us up on weekends, by pushing her paws on our face, so that we will get up and refill her food bowl, DESPITE the fact that we never go to sleep without filling it. She's relentless.
2. My family had a dog name Simba, growing up. :)
Posted by: hautepocket | August 01, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Umm...how about a white noise machine or a fan to drown out the noise of the cat? I use it to drown out Elizabeth...uh, I mean...did I say that out loud? :P
Posted by: Jaci | August 01, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Lack of sleep is THE WORST. I think they use it as torture in some countries. Do whatever you have to. Get to sleep.
Posted by: Tiffany | August 01, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Well if nothing else at least this is preparing you for what children would be like. bleh...
Posted by: Nat | August 01, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Oh Molly, very soon I may be that desperate!! Yesterday I wrote out a To Do list and the last item was "slip Simba a sleeping pill".
That or I'm taking one!! Something's gotta give!
Posted by: Kimmers | July 31, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Hmm, does Children's Benadryl have the same effect on a cat that it does on a small child? Mama may need to go buy some!!!
Posted by: Molly | July 31, 2008 at 10:09 PM