Land of No Sleep

The little angel has suddenly discovered we exist even when she is sleeping. Therefore! She! Should! Not! Sleep! Alone!  I had sorority sisters with this attitude, and it's just lots of trouble for everyone.  I attempted to hold out tonight after making the mistake of giving in last night.  She managed to scream and babble periodically (but not sleep) from 1:30 to 5:30. My beloved slept through a three-hour period when I got up, had a soda, took a shower, checked my work e-mail and actually started crying with exhaustion. At 5:30 I again gave in and we all passed out like New Year's drunks for two hours until we all had to get up and start the day. 

Everyone I talk to says not to worry and to just let her sleep with us.  However, I am a hard sleeper and used to regularly roll over on the cat. I don't want to co-sleep. I want to sleep with my husband, who is a ship passing in the night the way it is. I want my little angel to enjoy the benefits of her own crib. I don't care if it is purely cultural. So was breastfeeding, and damn it, I didn't like that, either.  I adore my sweet princess and love the time we spend together - but I want to sleep freely without crushing worries!  I don't want to listen to the bap, bap, bap of a pacifier all night long. I don't want to worry she is sweating too hard or suffocating on my beautiful feather bed, which I refuse to remove - sorry.  What's a girl to do?

The pediatrician and the old ladies at Oz tell me to be tough, and my modern, working friends tell me to do whatever is necessary for everyone to get rest.  I think they are both right. Are the stay-at-home moms the only ones with kids who sleep in their own cribs?  Weigh in, world!