Summer in St Paul is a wonderful but incredibly busy time of the year. Having a 5 month old who no longer sleeps more than 3 1/2 hours at a time, can make those busy days seem even longer. However, his enormous smiles, grabbing at anything within reach, rolling over and increasing chatter are wonderful consolations when the sleep deprivation hits hard.
In brief, here is what the last month has found us doing:
June 2nd: arrived home at 11 pm from world travels
June 3rd: packed up apartment and moved to 4 bed/2 bath apartment palace for the summer
Rest of June: Thank the Lord for the blessing of our "summer home" and get used to our summer schedule
Average summer evening schedule:
Monday: Mark goes to SPO Men's night, Betsy leads a women's group
Tuesday: Couples' group
Wednesday:Prayer meeting
Thursday: Take a breath and wonder where the week has gone
Friday: Cheer for Mark as he plays Softball and chat with the crowd of softball-groupies
Saturday: Celebrate the "Lord's Day" and have dinner with lots of nice people
Sunday: Be thankful that we don't have anything going on...unless we do
Now, I'm not complaining, but I do think our life is a bit full. Is it any wonder that I'd rather spend the daytime by myself (with Iain) than hang out with people? After all, I am an introvert, despite what some people may believe. :)
All the same, when my boss called and asked if I could work on July 1 (first time back since Iain was born) I jumped at the chance. A 6 hour break from mommyhood sounded like just what Nurse Betsy needed. The catch? Iain hadn't had a bottle since he was 1 month old and he wasn't too keen on picking up that lost skill! 3 days of trying the bottle, 1 day of realizing he's now allergic to diary-based formula, and 45 minutes of screaming later, he eagerly downed a whole bottle of soy-formula. I tried again that evening and he drank it like it's all he's ever known (though he's still a nursing champ!)
Work went like a dream, Iain did wonderfully for the sitters and despite the fact that I only got about 4 hours of sleep the night before, I felt like a whole new woman! I NEVER would've guessed I'd be that mom that wanted to work after her baby was born, but I tell ya, that one day back was absolutely wonderful.
I love my husband, I love my baby, I have a life-giving and very-occasional job, I'm a huge fan of our summer apartment, and I guess I'd rather have any overly-full life than an empty one! I am very blessed, indeed!
If only we could go on vacation...
1 comment:
Yes...vacation...I will miss you and Iain and Mark at the Fenton Family Reunion. You do sound incredibly busy, and babies are a lot of work on top of that! (Gavin is sick and teething, therefore waking several times during the night SCREAMING. I was reminded of how much I was taking a full night of sleep for granted.) I hope everything continues to go well for you and your family!! Miss you lots!!
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