Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Full-Time Parenting

I know I was warned by every parent I bumped into, but damn were they right. Life just isn't the same post-kid.

I'm just going to list some quick recaps of events before my new 9:30 bed time. Carrie's been up there since 8:30 keeping the bed warm.


  • Work started for me this Monday. Unfortunately, I had to stay up and finish the Super Bowl lest the team I was cheering for lost (Go Packers!). Then, I woke up twice to feed Shane and ended up staying awake from 5 AM. I drank enough tea to put a horse into orbit and the exhaustion didn't really hit until after work, thankfully. I think my body was still in shock.
  • I got a haircut at 6:30 AM that morning on my knees in the bathroom. I've been telling Carrie I need one for the past couple of weeks, but she didn't want to do it when Shane was awake. I wouldn't want to have to run off mid haircut either, so this appeared to make good sense except for my wife passing out randomly whenever I remembered to ask her. I'd go downstairs for a snack or poop (the good toilet is always worth it) and by the time I walked back upstairs she'd be down for the night. I got a lighting hack job and trimmed my beard. I asked Carrie to help trim my neck, but she's passed out before 9 twice in a row now. In her defense, she's had busy days...
  • Monday was Carrie's second day back at work and first day leaving Shane with my mother for day care. Mom was thrilled to see Shane and is going to be an awesome resource. She's a huge baby person, and she does all sorts of things to try and keep kids stimulated and help their development without over-doing it or being nutty. Shane couldn't ask for a better Grandma (or Nana if that's what she decides to be called). It's a great situation for us, but Carrie told me she stilled cried as she drove away. She missed her little man...
  • Today, Shane got his vaccinations. Carrie emailed me to give me the highlights: 12 lbs 8 oz and 25 inches long! The blue spot over his nose wasn't a bruise; it was a vein growing and making itself none. Heart and lungs checked out, and then Shane wailed like a banshee when he had his shots. Carrie had never heard him wail so loud. He started gagging himself, and spent the rest of the day sore, fussy, and too uncomfortable to nap until 6 PM. My wife said that listening to him physically hurt. She very emphatic with the little guy, and I believed her. 
  • Last week, was a learning experience for me. I found out that being a home-maker was not the pleasure cruise I had envisioned it to be when I was younger. Especially, when there's a baby involved. It may be much more enjoyable, and much less worky if your kids are at least toddler aged, but it was a lot of work. I had Shane all to myself for around 5-6 hours a day for 5 days. If he'd have chosen to sleep more, it would've been easier, but the little toot would only sleep long enough for me to do dishes, make myself a meal, and run some laundry or other miscellaneous chores. The rest of the time he was awake and wanted play-time or food. Now, that can be fun by itself, but when you have no choice because you don't want to leave him alone and there's no other adults around to carry a conversation it can get a bit tedious. If I was more of a TV person I may have really enjoyed it, but I like my pastimes to be more interactive (like reading or a game).
Maybe some of those recaps weren't "quick."  I'm too wordy when I write, I suppose. I'm going to snack, check the stocks (I need to make another round of investments soon), and maybe read a little of Commisar Cain before turning in.  Night!

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