The Attention 387 Summary
In Chapter 387 of “The Attention,” titled “New Parents: Sleepless,” the narrative revolves around the struggles of new parents dealing with their crying newborns, Minnie and Mickey. The chapter opens with advice from a maternity nurse, warning the couple not to pick up their babies every time they cry to avoid fostering dependency. However, as the night unfolds, the couple finds themselves unable to resist the cries of their children, feeling compelled to offer comfort through physical closeness.
Ashton takes on the challenge of holding both babies, balancing them on his shoulders in an attempt to alleviate their discomfort. Meanwhile, the narrator searches through parenting books in a desperate attempt to find answers for why their babies are crying. Despite not having finished most of the books, the narrator’s determination drives them to uncover potential reasons for the twins’ distress, including the possibility of discomfort from vaccinations rather than hunger or health issues.
The couple embarks on a series of attempts to soothe their children, with Ashton pacing the room while holding the twins. Each effort to lay them down results in renewed cries, leading to growing frustration and exhaustion. As they try longer intervals to keep the babies calm, the emotional toll of sleepless nights becomes evident. Despite the challenges, the couple remains hopeful, trying different strategies to find a solution that will allow them to rest.
Eventually, after a lengthy effort, the twins finally stay asleep after a rigorous routine. Ashton, momentarily relieved, smiles at his peaceful children, but the brief respite is short-lived as the cycle of crying resumes soon after. The chapter captures the overwhelming emotions of new parenthood, from frustration and exhaustion to fleeting moments of joy, illustrating the relentless nature of caring for newborns. As they navigate this exhausting journey, both parents experience a transformation, shedding their previous selves as they adapt to their new roles.
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**TITLE: The Attention 387**
**CONTENT:**
**Chapter 387 New Parents: Sleepless**
Before the maternity nurse departed for her well-deserved leave, she imparted a crucial piece of advice that echoed in our minds. “Don’t pick them up every time they cry,” she had cautioned us, her tone serious yet compassionate. “If you do, they’ll become dependent on being held, and trust me, you’ll only wear yourselves out in the long run.”
Yet, in this moment, we found ourselves caught in a paradox. The cries of our newborns pierced the silence of the night, and their tiny faces contorted with discomfort. We felt we had no other choice; the only remedy that seemed to soothe them was the warmth of our arms.
Ashton stood tall, cradling one baby on each shoulder, their delicate chins resting against him like tiny weights. It was a precarious balance, but it was the only position that seemed to alleviate their bloated discomfort. Holding them horizontally would only exacerbate their cries, so we had to make do with this makeshift solution.
Meanwhile, I flicked on the lamp, its soft glow illuminating the chaos that surrounded us. I sank into the chair at my desk, my fingers dancing across the spines of books on the shelf.
“What are you looking for?” Ashton inquired, a hint of skepticism lacing his voice.
“I’m trying to find something—anything—that might help us soothe these crying babies,” I replied, determination fueling my search.
His expression was a mix of disbelief and amusement, as if to say, “Really? Now?” But I was undeterred, flipping through the pages with a sense of urgency. “When I first discovered I was pregnant, I went on a buying spree of books about pregnancy and caring for newborns. Surely one of them has to mention why babies cry.”
Admittedly, I hadn’t managed to finish most of those books, but I figured it was better late than never.
After a few moments of frantic searching, I stumbled upon a research paper that outlined the reasons behind newborns’ cries and offered various methods to calm them.
“First of all,” I declared, “we can eliminate any health issues as the cause. The doctor at the hospital today reassured us that both babies are developing wonderfully and are perfectly healthy.”
Ashton nodded, absorbing the information.
“Secondly,” I continued, “it’s definitely not hunger.”
Ashton paused, his brow furrowing in thought. “It must be the vaccination,” he concluded, piecing it together.
I agreed, “Yes, that seems very likely. Since the moment they were born, Minnie and Mickey have been blissfully unaware of pain. But today marked their first encounter with discomfort.” I frowned slightly, considering the implications. “If that’s the case, then their cries are probably more psychological than physical.”
“Do you have any ideas on how to help them?” Ashton asked, his voice laced with concern.
“We could try walking them around for a bit, and only put them down once they’re sound asleep,” I suggested, hopeful.
“Let’s give it a shot,” he replied, determination in his eyes.
“To be on the safe side, let’s start with ten minutes for the first round,” I proposed, trying to maintain some semblance of structure in our chaotic evening.
“Got it,” Ashton said, and off we went.
Ten minutes later, he gently laid them back down in their cots, his heart racing with anticipation.
Suddenly, Minnie and Mickey erupted into tears once more, their cries filling the room with a deafening urgency.
Ashton sighed heavily, picking them up again, pacing the floor as if trying to walk away the tension.
Silence enveloped the room for a moment, but it was short-lived.
The second attempt lasted a grueling fifteen minutes. Just as he thought he could finally set them down, the twins protested loudly, their cries echoing through the air.
With no other option, he continued to walk.
Once again, silence fell, but it was fleeting.
On the third attempt, he extended the time to twenty minutes. This time, I could see the weariness etched on his face; he looked close to breaking. The moment he laid them down, it was as if a switch flipped, and the howling commenced anew.
“Why does it feel like they’re getting louder each time?” he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. Yet, he picked them up again, determined to find a solution.
“Let’s try thirty minutes and see if that does the trick,” I suggested, hoping we were on the verge of a breakthrough.
So Ashton resumed his pacing, one baby cradled in each arm, fatigue evident in his yawns as he moved back and forth by the bed. After what felt like an eternity of soothing, he finally tiptoed to the cots and carefully set them down.
To our astonishment, the two little monsters remained undisturbed. This time, they actually stayed asleep. Ashton gazed down at them, his exhaustion momentarily melting away into a fond smile. They appeared impossibly sweet, transformed from the tiny demons they had been just moments ago.
He yawned so deeply that tears welled in his eyes.
“Go get some sleep,” I urged him gently, recognizing the toll this was taking on him.
Soothing two crying babies was proving to be just as challenging—if not more so—than managing a major corporation.
For once, Ashton didn’t argue. He made his way to bed, collapsing into slumber within seconds.
I kept a watchful eye on the twins for another twenty minutes, my eyelids growing heavier, until I finally succumbed to the urge to nap myself.
Unfortunately, just an hour later—
“Waaah! Waaaaah!”
The piercing cries jolted us both from our sleep, yanking us back into reality.
With a groan, Ashton pressed a hand to his forehead, stumbling out of bed without even bothering to slip on his slippers. He rushed to the cots, scooping up Minnie and Mickey once again, and began the familiar ritual of walking.
And so it went, this exhausting cycle, continuing all the way until the twins reached four months old.
By that time, I had shed all my pregnancy weight, and even Ashton had slimmed down enough that he found himself ordering new suits.
Conclusion
In the midst of sleepless nights and relentless cries, Ashton and I discovered a depth of resilience we never knew we possessed. Each round of soothing our twins brought with it a mix of frustration and tenderness, a testament to our commitment as new parents. The exhaustion weighed heavily on us, yet with every successful moment of silence, we felt a flicker of triumph. The chaotic rhythm of our lives had transformed us, binding us closer together as we navigated the uncharted waters of parenthood. We learned to embrace the unpredictability, finding joy in the small victories, like the rare moments when Minnie and Mickey finally succumbed to sleep after what felt like an eternity of tears.
As the months rolled on, the challenges of those early days began to fade into distant memories, replaced by the sweet laughter and playful antics of our growing children. The sleepless nights became a badge of honor, a shared experience that deepened our bond as partners and parents. We had weathered the storm together, emerging not just as caretakers but as a family forged through love and perseverance. In the end, it was not merely about soothing cries or following advice; it was about creating a nurturing environment where our children could thrive, and in doing so, we found our own strength and joy amidst the chaos of new life.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As we step into Chapter 388, the relentless cycle of sleepless nights and soothing cries promises to take on a new dimension. With Ashton and I still grappling with the challenges of new parenthood, we can expect a deeper exploration into the emotional toll that this journey is taking on our relationship. Will the strain of sleep deprivation lead to misunderstandings, or will it strengthen our bond as we navigate the chaos together? With the twins now at four months old, the stakes are higher, and the need for effective communication and teamwork becomes paramount.
Moreover, we might encounter fresh challenges as Minnie and Mickey begin to develop their personalities, leading to unpredictable behaviors that could test our patience and resolve. Just as we think we’ve found our rhythm, new milestones—like teething or the onset of separation anxiety—could throw us off balance once again. How will we adapt to these changes, and what strategies will we employ to maintain our sanity? The anticipation builds as we wonder whether we will discover new techniques to soothe our little ones or if we’ll find ourselves overwhelmed by the whirlwind of parenthood. The journey is far from over, and the next chapter is sure to unveil both heartwarming moments and trials that will keep us on our toes.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
