I've realized lately that whenever I start to think I've got it together, that's when things start to unravel before my eyes. I'm better off going in with minimal expectations, prepared for the worst, and then I can be satisfied we made it through or even pleasantly surprised that something good was accomplished. Today, for example, I was convinced I'd get nothing done (since I feel like I've achieved nothing so far this week). I laid awake from 4:00-5:00 am after feeding the baby, trying not to worry about the conflicting schedules of the tree guys who were coming to work at our house and the driveway guys who are paving at our neighbor's house and will be blocking our road, or the fact that it'll be in the 90's today and Bo, Moose, and I will probably roast like turkeys in the inferno of our unair-conditioned home. So it's safe to say I had really low expectations of the day . . . but here I sit, at noon, having checked so many things off my to-do list that I can sit around and eat bon-bons until Matt gets home, like I usually do. (ha)
This week Matt started his long days, leaving between 4:30 and 6:30 in the morning, so it's been my first real taste of stay-at-home-mom-ness. We are both SO grateful for God's gift of a great schedule right when we needed it, when the baby was first born. And now, we're doing ok. But I am continually amazed at how long it takes me to get simple tasks done. At least the days go by quickly, with me scrambling around trying to keep up with the hours. Today, however, I've beat the odds and managed to get the baby bathed, groceries purchased, dinner in the crockpot, the guest bed made, and eaten both breakfast and lunch, all by 12:30. And so far it's not unbearably hot. Pats on the back for me. Kisses for the baby who is actually napping.
Bo is pretty great, he's sleeping longer at night (8 hours once!), and generally a pretty predictable baby. This leads me to believe I can just throw him in the car and take him wherever I want. However, I'm beginning to think he's not as portable as he looks. Last week I wanted to buy some baby gifts, so I popped the baby in his car seat and brought him along. When we got to the store, I realized that his pacifier pod, which snaps to the side of his car seat and is always stocked with two pacifiers, was nowhere to be found. I decided we'd be ok. Bo sat serenely in his stroller for the first five minutes while I looked at onesies and then I heard the alarming sound of the creation of a dirty diaper. (As a side note, it is amazing how such a small person can make a) so much noise and b) so much mess.) I whisked him to the bathroom at once in an effort to fend of his cries and changed his diaper, deciding to leave on his outfit even though there was a little bit of poopy on it. I rationalized that he'd be in his seat the whole time so no one would see it and it would be easier to change him at home. Well . . . then he got tired and started to wail, and I had no pacifier, so I had to hold him to calm him down while I tried to cover up the poopy spot and simultaneously prop up his head with one hand and franticly pawed through baby clothes with the other.
When we left I detoured through the Starbucks drive-thru to reward myself for getting through that experience. And then Bo proceeded to cry all the way home. Repeat poopy performance at Target this week, by the way. Except this time I had his pacifier, but boy, do cries reverberate in the restroom. But our Target is putting in a Starbucks, so I can see that helping in future situations.
(reading)
This week Matt started his long days, leaving between 4:30 and 6:30 in the morning, so it's been my first real taste of stay-at-home-mom-ness. We are both SO grateful for God's gift of a great schedule right when we needed it, when the baby was first born. And now, we're doing ok. But I am continually amazed at how long it takes me to get simple tasks done. At least the days go by quickly, with me scrambling around trying to keep up with the hours. Today, however, I've beat the odds and managed to get the baby bathed, groceries purchased, dinner in the crockpot, the guest bed made, and eaten both breakfast and lunch, all by 12:30. And so far it's not unbearably hot. Pats on the back for me. Kisses for the baby who is actually napping.
(blue eyes)
Bo is pretty great, he's sleeping longer at night (8 hours once!), and generally a pretty predictable baby. This leads me to believe I can just throw him in the car and take him wherever I want. However, I'm beginning to think he's not as portable as he looks. Last week I wanted to buy some baby gifts, so I popped the baby in his car seat and brought him along. When we got to the store, I realized that his pacifier pod, which snaps to the side of his car seat and is always stocked with two pacifiers, was nowhere to be found. I decided we'd be ok. Bo sat serenely in his stroller for the first five minutes while I looked at onesies and then I heard the alarming sound of the creation of a dirty diaper. (As a side note, it is amazing how such a small person can make a) so much noise and b) so much mess.) I whisked him to the bathroom at once in an effort to fend of his cries and changed his diaper, deciding to leave on his outfit even though there was a little bit of poopy on it. I rationalized that he'd be in his seat the whole time so no one would see it and it would be easier to change him at home. Well . . . then he got tired and started to wail, and I had no pacifier, so I had to hold him to calm him down while I tried to cover up the poopy spot and simultaneously prop up his head with one hand and franticly pawed through baby clothes with the other.
When we left I detoured through the Starbucks drive-thru to reward myself for getting through that experience. And then Bo proceeded to cry all the way home. Repeat poopy performance at Target this week, by the way. Except this time I had his pacifier, but boy, do cries reverberate in the restroom. But our Target is putting in a Starbucks, so I can see that helping in future situations.
(my trip to the post office)
Anyway, I know it's all part of parenting a baby. But I am really thankful we've only got one baby at the moment.
One very lovable baby.
And one hot dog.
7 comments:
Dex has to go to the UAE on Sunday ALL week, I wish we were close enough together that we could do the SAHM thing together and share notes. I'm glad the new schedule with Matt is working out ok. How long will it last? Bo is cute! Really turning into a boy now, eh?
ps: I'm continually amazed how much of a life saver the pacifier is!
You're such a great mommy and I love reading your posts and your adventures :)
I can honestly say: I know exactly how you feel! I also know which Starbucks in Charlotte have a drive thru and how the entire stretch of Harris Blvd does not!
You're doing so well and the schedules get better! Bo is adorable.
I vividly remember those days… they're sweet, but incredibly challenging all at the same time. Although I can't say it really gets easier, I think you do get used to it, which makes it FEEL easier.
And fortunately you'll remember the sweet times the most.
You're doing great Erica! Hang in there & keep up the good work!
That Bo is one adorable boy!!
I look forward to your news and progress with Bo. Your pictures are wonderful! Keep snapping...and When you look back and compare the early days with the present pics you no doubt are amazed at how much he changes.
Moose looks content with his lot in life! What an animal.
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