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| Photo credit: Krisztina Papp |
This post began its life as an activity log meant for no one but Dan and me, written on a day last June that epitomized the challenges of stay-at-home motherhood. We had just moved into our house, simultaneously attempting to settle into our new home while sprucing up our nearby condo in preparation for finding a new tenant. This meant evenings of Dan working non-stop to redo and repaint five miles away – right around the same time that Keats decided bedtime was an inconvenience.
I left this log for months, rereading it recently with a new perspective, and laughing out loud at the total chaos that defined this day and many others. It occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, others might get a kick out of it, too. And so, without further ado, I present to you Peanut Butter Ice Cream or A Day in the Life:
2:56 a.m.Wren awake
5:00 Wren asleep
6:20 Keats awake
7:15 Wren awake
8:00 Shower successfully, leaving boys to own devices
8:15 Roofers arrive whilst in towel (me, not roofers)
12:00 p.m. Wren asleep
12:39 Wren awake
12:39-12:55 I nurse Wren; Keats is crying downstairs because sound is gone on \”Peppa Pig\”
12:58 Neighbor comes to back door; Bovril barks, sending boys into hysterics as I secure baby gate
12:59 Whisk up Wren; usher Keats into playroom and Bovril out of playroom; speak w/neighbor
1:03 Assure neighbor that she didn\’t disturb nap time; thank her for info about upcoming school fair
1:04 Discover Bovril ate Keats\’ sandwich during her five minutes alone in the house
1:18 Bovril banished to playroom; Keats watches \”Postman Pat\” while Wren eats lunch and I text Dan to relay eventful morning
8:00 p.m. Dan to Home Depot; boys ready for bed
8:00-8:34 Unsuccessfully console sobbing Wren in crib whilst Keats runs back and forth between rooms; Wren\’s eyelids heavy; Keats appears at the nursery door needing to wee; Wren sobs again, standing up in his crib while I assist Keats; Keats goes back to bed and sing songs…loudly; Wren nurses; Keats is running…again; Keats appears at nursery door…again; get Keats back to bed…again
8:34 Go downstairs, leaving Wren to cry so that I can text Dan about absolute need for peanut butter ice cream
8:36 Back upstairs due to crying (Wren) and running (Keats)
8:36 to 9:03 Repeat much the same. Close Keats\’ door and brace for more crying. Wren crying. Keats crying. Manage to calm Wren. Leave now-quiet Wren to address Keats. Wren crying. Keats finally in bed.
9:03-9:20 Nurse Wren to sleep. Both seem to be asleep. Seem is the operative word.
9:21:10 Keats is not asleep.
9:21:30 Sing to Keats
9:30 Done. Ready for ice cream.
Addendum from February 2016: Oh Life! How I love you and your quirks!
To Palimpsest 