Single mom.

Jeff went to a conference over the last few days, and I suddenly got a much better understanding of what it must be like to be a single mom.

It was awful. Actually, I couldn't even hack it for 24 hours before I loaded the kids up and headed to my parents house. The few hours after I got home today and before Jeff arrived were super stressful as I tried to play with, feed, bathe, discipline, and put to bed a fairly fussy (nearly) 3 year old who didn't get much nap today. At various points I left Naomi crying on my bed, in her crib, or tried to hold her as I did these tasks. The only reason I managed to eat dinner was that she sat in the bouncy seat for a while as I quickly smeared some pesto on chicken and threw it in the oven while quickly chopping up some veggies for a salad.

Poor Jeff came home to a fairly messy house and a wife who was ignoring it while trying to do a bit of sewing to de-stress. I really don't know how single moms (or dads) do it. Especially not with more than one kid. I am very thankful that I have such an awesome husband. And awesome parents who helped with the parenting duties enough that I could take a bath, get my haircut (!!), and even go to the movies(!!!).

If I hadn't been able to visit them, my days would have been filled with lots more Thomas videos (for Judah), lots more time crying in a crib (Naomi), lots more tears (me), and lots less patience (also me). I really can't do it alone.

Comments

Pam said…
Hang in there! It gets easier as they get older. Patrick had a bunch of trips the summer after Charlie was born (so he was just a few months old, like Naomi) and it was really rough -- I ended up hiring a mother's helper just to come at bedtime and play with Maggie or hold Charlie while I cared for the other kid. You do what you gotta do to get through. But now it's a breeze when he's gone! So, it does get much, much easier in time.
3:45 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Giveaway

Image
I've been watching in amazement for a few days as the links over here keep growing and growing with people who are hosting giveaways. The last time around I didn't participate, but now that things are slightly more settled in my somewhat crazy but wonderful job I thought I'd make an offering. The softies I make don't quite compare to amazing things you might see here or here , but I still think they are pretty cute. All those who leave comments will be entered to win the homemade softie of their choice, either an owl : (You can pick the colors you'd like, from a list of colors I have.) Or a penguin : Who will come with sunglasses, goggles, and a winter hat. (Because every good penguin should be prepared.) You can also pick (from a limited list) colors for the penguin's hat and glasses. I'll hold the drawing on Monday, since I'll be on call on Sunday, and the post the winner on Tuesday. Feel free to leave in your comment any favorite crafty blogs - ...
Read more

I am an awesome mom.

I won a new prize in the awesome mom category today. I have for some time been adding up points for all the ways that I am a good mom. Cut his tiny hand on his fourth day of life when I was cutting off the hospital band: check (He still has the scar!) Found rocks from our fireplace in his mouth: check Set down a knife on the table within his reach: check Turned around and found him holding said knife: double check Found leaves in his mouth: check, check and check Found him holding my razor, which I set down on the tub while he was in the bathroom: check Today, though, I set a new record. I locked Judah in the car. With all the windows up. See? Awesome mom, right here. It was a total fluke thing where I was tossing the keys onto the front seat as I was getting out and about to get Judah out. As I closed my door, the keys fell off the seat and into the shutting door, which closed on the lock button on our remote. And just like that, in a split second, Judah was locked in. ...
Read more

Final Picture Catch-up.

Image
First, about 8 weeks ago, we saw this.... Then this: A little bit later there was this: And this: And Last week it was this: I'm now 13 weeks along, due in late March. We feel incredibly blessed, and of course, are very, very excited. (Working at a doctor's office and knowing how to do ultrasounds definitely comes in handy when you want to see your baby... And yes, I have been doing my own ultrasounds. It's a bit awkward, but I'm getting better.)
Read more