Home Alone

I've been pushing myself really hard over the past 2 weeks - probably doing more than I really should.  However, I did it trying to take advantage of the husband's paternity leave.

Unfortunately, even the hardest working me managed to screw up a form I needed to file, and I had to reschedule the appointment for 2 weeks from now.

Augh.  I hate not getting things right the first time, especially when they are complete no-brainers, like remembering to use my maiden name on every single freakin' document I have to complete for everything Rowan needs.  How could I miss it once, just once?!

I'm uptight and easy-going at the same time, if that makes any sense.

What I mean is, when it comes to work or important things (lesson planning, paperwork I need to complete and file), I'm very Type A.  When it comes to time with friends, other people's opinions of me, and social whatevers, I don't worry about a thing.

My husband helped out a lot during his paternity leave, but I still probably did way more on my own than I really should have this week and last week. 

However, I did it knowing tomorrow I would be alone in the house with the baby.

I did it knowing I wanted to be able to cut myself plenty of slack when the husband went back to work after his leave.

I don't want to spend my days home with the baby trying to get "everything" done.  There will be enough pressure as it is when we start preparing to PCS back to the U.S. soon.  So I spent the past 2 weeks getting "everything" done, while I had an ever-present tag-team partner. 

It worked out for the best, because I feel much more relaxed this morning.  Then again, I also took advantage of every moment of Rowan's sleep to sleep too.  I didn't do that when my husband was home, except a couple of times.  But I'm doing it now.

She and I finally got up at 9:30 a.m.  Baby girl woke herself up with one of her usual explosive sharts.  However, she usually sharts twice, so I've learned not to change her diaper immediately after the first one.  Instead, I fed her on one side, while I ate my breakfast.  Sure enough, when I stood up to rinse my cereal bowl, she sharted again.

Then it was time for a diaper change, as well as her morning outfit change.  After that, I burped her and she ate on the other side.  Meanwhile, I used the time to catch up on responding to Facebook messages.  I love that nursing is hands-free.  Seriously.

After that, she was wide awake and looking curious, as usual.  So I turned on my 80's playlist and danced Rowan around the living room, while singing to her.  She gets these "I'm so happy to be with you, mommy!" expressions that aren't quite smiles... Not just yet.  But I know it's just a matter of time.  :)  She's got the head-holding-up thing mastered, though.  She's really living up to her middle name.  After all, Alice was a very curious girl in the books!

I also haven't stopped showering Rowan with kisses all morning.  I used to do the same thing to Gavin - look at him and kiss him all over his face.  Now I try not to wound his pre-teen pride, and stick to hugging him... oh, almost every time I see him.  ;)

Anyway, Rowan and I have enjoyed a very leisurely morning, which is how it should be as long as she's this young.  Oh, of course I have things to do!  But I'll get to them.  I got off to a running start while my husband was on leave, so I'm ready to allow myself to slow down once more.

Copyright (c) 2013 Wendy L. Callahan