I write on the subject of motherhood quite often, often interchanging my feelings about parenthood. I forget about fatherhood because I’m so caught up in being a mother and such. But my girls, they’ve got the best of the best. I think I knew that Barry was going to be a great dad, I just didn’t know he’d be this good. He knows ‘his girls’ and he pays attention to them in the most thoughtful, truthful, present, heartfelt way. He’s the best at playing games, but also at including them in jobs around the house. And they know it. From washing the cars, working on the yard to riding bikes and reading…he does it all and doesn’t shy away from it. I’ve always felt so lucky to call him mine, and I’m pretty sure Audrey and Maggie will one day feel as strongly as I do about him.
The fog is lifting and I feel myself assimilating with the rest of the world slowly but surely. I haven’t been too gun shy about getting out with my two little chickens, but I think my brain can finally handle some additional information beyond making sure we’re all safe and sound. For example, this past weekend I went to my cousin Danielle’s baby shower and Audrey and I carpooled with Cora and Sue. On the drive home we talked about some good music and bands and I realized that I pretty much have missed out on the past year in terms of music. I love me some Rolling Stone magazine, but apparently my reading comprehension skills failed me as well. I am no fully aware that Mumford and Sons are not new to the rest of the world, but I’m in love with both their albums and have them on constant repeat. AND…I’m counting down the days to this. Cora says that I should just download it, but I kind of want to go to an actual store and buy it.
This happens like they’re having morning coffee every morning. Maggie will do all of the talking…but will ‘translate’ whatever sounds Audrey makes.
I keep saying it over and over but it is so true: Maggie truly is the sweetest big sister. No matter what Maggie is in the middle of doing, if she passes Audrey in any capacity, she’ll stop and greet her little sister with a squeeze, smile and a sometimes aggressive nuzzle. “Maggie, too close!!” is on constant repeat around here, but it’s hard to be too hard on her when she’s just loving on Audrey. Once Audrey can do a bit more, it will be less of what Maggie can’t do and more of what she CAN. I look forward to that day.
Last week.
Audrey is plumping out more and more. She’s got rolls started on her legs and I love me some rolls on baby legs, so I’m thrilled. She feels less fragile and more sturdy because her head control is improving as well. She’s moved out of the newborn snowsuit for our walks and into the 0-3month one. We’ve hit a huge streak with the weather and I’ve been able to get outside for a walk the past 10 days or so. Sadly, I do not ever bring my camera along because pushing a stroller, wearing a baby, and corralling a dog is far too much for me as it is. Eventually I’ll get there and be able to document our outings, as it stands now, I’m just proud that I’m getting outside. It feels like I’m the ring master of a 3 ring circus some mornings, and by the time we’re actually out the door I’ve already broken a sweat. It’s probably a combination of being out of shape and trying to get 3 little morsels ready at exactly the same time.
This Week
By the time we get back, I’m often ready for a break because I’ve spent the entire walk answering questions about Maggie’s observations and making sure that Sydney doesn’t drop a huge poop in the middle of somebody’s yard. Audrey is the easiest because she snoozes all bundled up next to me. There was a time where I had abandoned almost all hope for Maggie to get back into the stroller after she discovered the joys of being able to walk along with us. I’m not ashamed to say that I started to bribe her with ‘stroller treats’ to get back into the routine of striding out. We’re now contemplating upgrading our stroller or getting a double. Considering that we’ve got the very first B.O.B stroller ever made, I have a feeling any direction that we go will be an improvement. We’re a long ways off for Audrey to ride along, she’s content to be carried at this point.
When Barry gets home at the end of the day, we’re all excited and happy to see him. Life is so much easier with two parents around. In the past few weeks, at two seperate times, both Barry and I got sick. Like on the couch or lying in bed, dead to the world, sick. When I was sick, I slept for nearly 24 hours. I’d wake up, feed Audrey, pass her to Barry, and promptly go back to sleep. I also probably ate 99 popsicles and an entire liter of 7UP and cranberry juice. I was very worried about not being hydrated enough and the only thing that sounded good was cranberry juice and 7 up. (For whatever reason, I find cranberry juice to be comforting…I don’t drink juice often, but when I do I always pick cranberry juice. It’s what I wanted when I went into labor with Maggie…along with pudding. Ha!)
When Barry got sick, it conveniently was over a weekend, and I tried with all my might to get out of the house. He didn’t really have that luxury when I was sick since I needed to feed Audrey. I ran more errands and lolly-gagged at more places than I had since having Audrey. Barry is the type of person that doesn’t want to admit that he’s sick. Even when he was huddled under a quilt shivering, he was still trying to say that he felt fine. Poor guy. Anyhow, not having another adult to team up with during crucial times (bath, dinner, bed, feeding, diaper changes, etc.) really made me appreciate Barry all the more. I’m fine during the day, but doing an entire weekend all alone with a newborn and almost 3 year old is not my idea of fun.
I am not nearly as good at playing “Run/Tickle” as Barry is and quite frankly, I’m fine with that. I also don’t have as much stamina to jump on the bed as he does. Plus, Maggie really, really looks forward to that time of her day and practically asks to play the moment Barry changes out of his work clothes. We’re now back in the saddle in terms of happily greeting Barry as he comes thorough the door and filling our house with happy, joyful games of “Run/Tickle.”
