waking up

Our Evelyn will be one month old tomorrow.  Some things are definitely easier: We have routines.  Ari has become more patient when Evie needs something, going so far as suggesting that I whip out a boob to nurse her when she’s wailing away.  And I have become a little less queasy with letting them alternate crying, or letting them both cry at once when I can’t figure it out.

On the flip side, gone are the days when Evie will sleep the day away, which means I’m losing my morning nap and any chance at doing anything outside of the family tasks without help.  (For example: I just spent the last five hours packing for a two-day trip to the beach–wish us luck!)  Of course the future botanist that she is did choose to slumber through most of Longwood Gardens when her grandfather was in town:

John was moonlighting several hours away earlier this week, coming home super late Wednesday night and leaving again this morning.  It was only three days, and I had a kind neighbor and a generous grandfather around to baby-hold during Ari’s bedtime routine, and I still felt run down by the time John made it home.  I couldn’t help but comment last night, “Dude, this parenting thing is WAY more doable with two parents!”–Captain Obvious.  Single parents, you have my utmost respect!

One of my best friends quoted an article that she had read, interested to know my take: “Parenting an infant isn’t difficult; it’s boring.”  Another close friend with a three-month-old at the time remarked, “Parenting an infant isn’t difficult, as long as you resign yourself to the fact that you won’t get anything else done, like feed or clean yourself.”  In my very limited experience, I think there is truth in both statements.  However, when you throw a toddler in with an infant, life is definitely not boring, which, in a way, I think makes things easier.  My head is spinning and I’m more exhausted, but the days are moving faster than I recall when Ari was small(er).  (Evie is going to be a month old!!)  I’ve embraced the fact that I get a bye when it comes to being showered or dressed in clothing lacking dried bodily fluids, and I have more readily accepted help, especially when it comes to keeping me and the troops fed.

And then, every now and again, the four of us make it out of our house to celebrate the house-warming of one of a favorite couples.  The picture below sums it up: my precocious toddler stealing another child’s toy all the while caked in guacamole; my arms free of small children (my infant happily sleeping in another good friend’s capable arms, outside of picture frame); gluten-free beer in hand; bare feet.