Weekends

The old adage, "having a baby changes everything . . ." has not only become a bit over-used and over-heard in our lives, but it is more than anything, an understatement. Personally, I would get a little more specific and say, "having a baby changes everything; having two changes everything, and you no longer have weekends."

With Caleb, we could still kind of manage a semblance of relaxation, though even the small bit that occurred had to be carefully planned. For example, a Saturday afternoon coffee break corresponded with nap time, and a Sunday afternoon nap corresponded with, well . . . lots of prayer??? Anyway, even the above is no longer the case now that there are two wee ones. (For those of you with more than two, I bow in homage).

Before we had kids Aaron and I often looked in amazement and with sympathy on our friends who did. "How do they do it?" We asked ourselves. "They must be utterly exhausted!" They were. We are. And now Aaron and I look back on those days with an odd mixture of longing and regret—longing to return to them and regret that we did not truly appreciate what we had—not, however, that we would trade our children for a free weekend. . . although . . .

This weekend was/is pretty typical, and for those of you reading this with children gathered around your knees, then you can laugh along with me as I relate (with a bit of sarcastic humor) the events, thus far, in our weekend. It is currently 7:45pm Saturday evening. For those of you still without children, take a deep breath and read this with a grain of salt knowing that the author is running on (and writing on) less than five hours of sleep in the last twenty-four, and thus her perspective might be a bit off. (Nevertheless, enjoy your child-free weekends while you have them!)

1:30am Up to feed Ella.
5:00am Up to feed Ella.
5:15am Drink a gallon of coffee.
5:30am Back to sleep for a bit as Aaron gets up with Caleb.
7:00am Up to feed Ella and drink more coffee.
8:00am Join Caleb and Daddy for an episode of Blue's Clues.
9:30am Feed Ella.
10:00am Help daddy get Caleb dressed and ready for breakfast at McDonald's.
10:15am Help daddy clean up the car, the car seat, and son, after Caleb projectile vomits.
11:00am Feed Ella.
11:30am Send daddy and recovered Caleb (maybe it was a fluke?) off to McDonald's and local Trade Show.
12:00pm Feed Ella.
12:30pm Welcome home Daddy and Caleb (who appears fine).
1:00pm Clean up living room, couch, and son after another round of vomit. (Please God, not the flu again).
1:30pm Lay sick son down for a nap.
1:35pm Feed Ella and breathe a sigh.
3:00pm Get sick son up from nap.
3:10pm Feed Ella.
4:00pm Take a walk to clear head.
4:30pm Return home and clean up more vomit. We are cursed.
5:00pm Run to grocery store for Gatorade to help with dehydration.
5:30pm Feed Ella.
6:00pm Send tired Daddy off to a photography event for the evening.
6:10pm Feed Ella and bathe Caleb.
6:30pm Get sick boy into bed for the night and sigh again.
7:00pm Rock sick boy, change bedding, and clean up more vomit.
7:30pm Feed Ella.
7:40pm Blog.

As for the rest of my evening, I think I will take a bath, say some prayers for health, maybe burn some incense or light some candles to help clear the smell of bleach from the air, and get ready for the round of nighttime feedings! I know, I know, you all wish you could join in the fun . . .
Just wait . . . we still have tomorrow!