It used to be that when we had an extra day off or just a weekend together, DH and I would enjoy a sleeping in, go out to breakfast or possibly lunch, wander around, goof off, whatever.
Since having Miss C, all of our priorities have changed. We no longer sleep in. That luxury is not around because we have her on her school schedule where she has to get up at 6 to be able to leave in time to get to Mrs J's so I can get to work on time. Try explaining to an 8 month old that she (meaning you) can sleep in because there is no school that day. Yea, right.
We go on "adventures" now, to the grocery store, to Walmart, occasionally out to lunch. They are adventures because they are all pretty new to Miss C. We don't go occasionally because she doesn't do well, quite the opposite. Occasionally because she wants to be involved so badly that she chooses to stay awake rather than nap and wants to talk and watch people just like grown ups. She is shifting from the baby two am and two pm naps to one in the am and one in the pm. That is, unless she exhausts herself (not entirely uncommon), then she wants a nap either before or after dinner which makes the rest of our evening routine a little more challenging.
Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining. I know we have it lucky. Luckier than most. Miss C sleeps like a champ, 11 hours a night, pretty regularly unless she gets woken up by something then, well, you all know how that goes. The teething isn't an issue either. Other than the near constant drooling and snot nose, she is great. No complaining, no fussing.
Its just that I have noticed that our priorities have really shifted.
Last semester I took classes, I was all over school work. Too much, according to DH. This time, with Miss C, I admit I am not working as much as I used to. I am doing as well or better work but I don't try to work on anything until she is down for the night. Its just that my priority is taking care of her.
Work is different too. I would normally jump on travel opportunities and all that. Now, well, I prefer not to. Its harder because DH has to travel and I am not supposed to so I choose not to. More priority shifts.
As I type this, the house is practically silent. There is only the sound of my typing and, if I walk by the laundry room, the occasional sound of the latest load in the washer. I sit with one ear trained towards the door leading to the office because Miss C has finally succumbed to her after noon nap, having been playing for the past few hours.
Its nice but I have to admit it, the sound of my little girl giggling when she chases after the cat is music to my ears!
2 comments:
I think everyone's priorities get thrown for a loop when there's a baby involved. One of the ones I've noticed recently: Dave and I used to enjoy a cocktail with our dinner. And maybe one or two after dinner too. (If we were home and no one had to drive, why not, right?) But now, since we no longer have the option to sleep in or lie around feeling groggy and headache-y, that never seems to happen. It's a good thing, I'm sure, but I do miss it sometimes.
Enjoy the silent moments when you get them - they seem to be fewer and farther between as the babies get older and spend less time napping. :-)
Yea, life does change but I think its for the better. I am of the mind that Miss C's issue yesterday with her naps was more in line with her teething rather than anything else.
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