So I did not write yesterday...well...because...I was tired...cranky...exhausted. Let's just say yesterday my wife worked at her private practice and Christina needed her mother. And I was not very useful. So adult timeouts were in order. During the day, it went better but she did struggle being away from mommy. I cannot compete with...well...you know...those...milk producing...well...figure it out!
Today was the first day of both Catherine and Christina being home...Wow was that an experience. I got up late (again!) and Catherine already appeared tired. Christina and I wanted to snooze more but she needed to be fed before leaving to relieve both mother and daughter (again, figure it out!). Christina got tired early so me and tired attempted to do some stuff around the house...which was a disaster...I lost my patience several times...Christina eventually woke up and struggled taking the bottle. And Catherine was "helpful" by shoving the bottle in her face or by crying every time the word "no" came out of my mouth.
I reluctantly went for a walk right before lunch, where rain was menacing and Christina fussing...and Catherine show-boating. And being loud...which made Christina fussy...you get the cycle. We came home for lunch...which everyone had at the same time...have you ever tried to give a breast-milk bottle to a 2 month old that was too cold? And then it gets too warm when you reheat it? Well if you haven't, I do not suggest it...
Let me digress for a minute...these milk warmers seem to have only two temperature: real lukewarm or hot to the point it gives you 3rd degree burns. And has a father with limited patience and with babies who have the same amount of patience, it makes for a...wait for it...the pun is on..."heated" situation! Can't they make it that when the milk hits a certain temperature, it shuts off? And if anyone invents that...I want royalties.
So Catherine was brought upstairs screaming for her nap because, she told me, "I'm not tired". Christina crashed after a few cries and lots of rocking. I was so tired, I fell asleep too, with Christina on my shoulder. After waking up, I went to put her down...bad idea! Automatic wake up and hunger...combined with Catherine needing to be up...Tough. We then went shopping, where it went OK and got home to make supper. After talking to my parents on Skype, it was bath time and bed time.
The proudest moment of my day came at the end of my day: Catherine pooped in her pottie (BTW, spellcheck wants me to change this to "pot pie")! These are the things that make me happy now: poop I have to clean out of a plastic potty. Catherine has struggled at times with the arrival of her sister but is such a loving girl. She is my grandmother, Memere, reincarnated!
I wanted to finish with this note: I know I choose to do this and yes I do complain but I really am doing it to get it off my chest. I think sometimes we do things not because they are easy but because they are right. I know it's right...I just struggle sometimes and hope writing about it can be liberating for me and have others tell me how they relate.
Steve, I can *totally* relate to the day you had today. I know I possess the milk-producing... ahem... that you allude, too, but that ain't all it's cracked up to be. ;) When I first came home from the hospital with Alexander, fresh from a c-section, mind you, I had help. Mostly because I wasn't supposed to lift anything besides the baby... and I had a toddler that weighed 30lbs! Matt was home for a week, then my sister in law helped me with the boys during the day for a week, then my friend Becky did the same for a week. I would not have survived the first month without them! But after almost 4 weeks, I was on my own... with a 1-month-old and a 19-month old! You do your best -- you do what you must -- to survive. There were days I *hated* it... I was sleep-deprived, hungry but didn't have time or energy to cook, and patience? That word often wasn't in my vocabulary. :) But as time wore on, I tried my best to have perspective... most moms (and dads!) would do anything to have the time with their children I had/have. It didn't make me any more patient or less tired, but it helped me overall to remember that. And I also tried to remember that I was -- again overall -- doing a good job. I wasn't going to screw them up because I was doing my best and I love them more than anything in the world. Keep taking your adult time-outs, and giving them liberally to your toddler as well. :) It's worth it in the end. Although the end is about 18 years from now.... unless they never move out... LOL
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