It's Friday and I'm Still Working

Friday, April 11, 2008 by Bethany

Talk about a sucky beginning to my weekend. And it's not going to end. All. Weekend. Long. Yep, working through the weekend. That's what I get for volunteering for a high profile project. But don't let me bore you with the details here (hell, I could lose my job). Let's move on to the finer highlights of my Friday:

- The baby decided to save all her shit for me. Did that sound bad? Well it was meant to be literal. The baby sitter's here and she's all laughs and pissy diapers. The minute the sitter leaves? She gets the blow-out diapers no one wants to deal with (Four of them!). But, alas, it's part of the job description.

- Wood chips and puddles ruined a perfectly good pair of socks. The Kiddo was home today. After a couple-hour conference call this morning, I shuffled out the door to the new play set in the backyard (outdoor time after a rain is good right?). Only, it ended up evolving into endless questions about wet swing seats ("Here's a towel!"), puddles on the slide ("Here's another towel!"), Dog poop on his shoes ("What's up with the shit today?" and "Take a paper towel this time!"), and of course, the how come my pants are wet iterations. And the inevitable stocking foot step into the wood chip ridden puddle that happened to have a bit of dog shit mixed it. I wasn't stupid enough to just step in it once--that I did, then swore, then stepped back in it again while hoping to avoid the baby crawling into the mess. One pair of new white socks down (because washing them would be too easy)...

- Lunch at 4pm. Yep, it's been my latest lunch time. It sucks really because by then I'm shaky, cranky, and so pumped up with caffeine (coffee is my friend), I'd be better off hooking up an IV to fill my ulcered stomach

- Barking to awake the one nap my child easily went down for today. But this is normal behavior. So it isn't like I can complain that it's any worse today than it was yesterday. Though yesterday, I thought I might have my weekend to watch chic flicks and eat popcorn. Aw, optimism.

But really, it wasn't all bad. After the barking spasm by the dog and counseling the crying baby, I had one of those If This Moment Could Last Forever instances that melts your heart. The Peanut was on the floor army crawling to these little ball thingies. Loving her new mobility she scoots forward and giggles herself til she has hiccups. And, I, being all about the laughing, rolled her over to enjoy in her moment of happiness. We played raspberries, tickles, more crawling and pushing the ball around... all while my son joined in the fun. And we laughed. All of us. And that, might just make up for the crappy weekend or work. Maybe.

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Calgone Take Me Away

Sunday, March 16, 2008 by Bethany

My sitter is off to Mexico for a week. As much as this may thrill her, it is the least bit thrilling for me. Now, I'd saddled with dealing with both kids all week. And work. The joy.

This little (sad) bit of parenting no one really prepares you for--the sitters, day care, child sitting, taking time for yourself--sure, it's all good if you have people waiting to pound down your door to watch the new little baby. Don't get me wrong, you might--for the first three months. And then they suddenly disappear.

For us, we never had anyone at the door waiting to watch the baby. In fact, promptly one day after they each were born, I was alone in the house. Well not alone, alone. The Husband was around. But, not some kind family member. Or neighbor. Or anyone really. We were on our own. And are still. Going out isn't one of our regular activities. And let me blunt--when we do it is a huge social event.

I spend hours finding the perfect outfit, get the hair done, try to find time to get my nails done... and yes, all of this, even if it is to just go to a movie. I. Don't. Get. Out. Much. Sure, the sitter is here twice a week. But that is so I can go to the office. And don't for one second think that is "getting out." Because if you try that line on me, I just might snap. Going to an office for work, is far from getting out. It is more like walking IN to something akin to.. um... well I guess I better refrain from that line of thought. You just don't know who's reading these here Internet pages.

Anyway... my point is just this. I need to get out. I mean out-out. As in, away from the kids for socializing. It can or cannot be with The Husband. I don't really care one way or the other. But this non-socializing thing (or heading to family gatherings with the whole damn family)? Well it's gotten stale. And tiring. As much as I love snuggling with my daughter and laughing with my son (did I tell you, I was Awesome Mom yesterday and we build Chinese Lanterns?)...there comes a time and place for Mommy to Get Her Groove On. Or at least feel like a human childless soul for 5 minutes. Apparently that moment has come for me. Or it can't come soon enough.

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