Stricken

Dear Diary,

The BHE and I have both succumbed to the illness that plagued the mad man last weekend. And let me tell you, it is no picnic. I thought taking care of a sick baby was rough, but taking care of a healthy baby when YOU are sick is way worse. Mercifully, he took a long nap yesterday afternoon so that I could get some rest. But for the most part, he doesn't seem to understand that I don't feel well and don't have the energy to play "up and down" all day. This is his new favorite game, and it involves me holding him up over my head and saying, "Up!" then bringing him down and saying, "And Down." Much hysterical laughter ensues on his part and soreness of arms on my part.

Anyway. Why can't someone pay me to stay home and take care of Edwin? Not clear on that. My job is getting me down. Some days it's great, but some days it is the suck. I have a new boss who is a total douchebag. Well, he is a nice guy, I guess, but he is not so much with the offering of flexible schedules for mothers of young babies who sometimes need to be picked up early from daycare because of the hunger striking.

So I'm having a bit of a professional crisis. I suppose it's more of a financial crisis though, because if we could afford it I would quit right now. But then we'd be so poor we'd probably have to live in a tent, and that might be awkward what with all the dogs.

Love,
Fluffy

The Happs

Dear Diary,

This weekend started out fantastic. Here I am at the hair salon at 10:00 AM Saturday, with a Star magazine and a glass of wine. Did I mention 10 AM?

That's right: she offered casually; I accepted (probably with way too much enthusiasm), and there was no judgement or guilt on anyone's part. I told her I had a four-month old at home who is a nocturnal nurser and that I hadn't had my hair done since I was 8 months pregnant. I was probably babbling incoherently and might have had spit up in my hair, so she felt sorry for me and busted out the old chardonnay. In short, I was happy.

Then when I got home the mad man started coughing a little, he was still happy and playing and everything so, I wasn't too concerned.

But as the evening wore on he became increasingly fussy, sneezy, snotty, coughy and generally miserable.

Which required much cuddle time with his mommy and daddy.

Then when we went to bed poor little fella developed a fever (only 101, but still... general panic and guilt on my part for having him in daycare).

Anyway it was a long night, but today he seems happy and the fever is down, and he is playing and cooing and laughing as usual. And! A 40 minute nap in his swing which has allowed me to write this post.

Also. We got one of those little digital camcorders and have been recording him doing... nothing. You know, just being cute. But don't be surprised if I subject you all to footage of my baby doing nothing and being cute. You've been warned.

Also. When I went to the hair salon she somehow convinced me to dye my eyebrows a little darker to "bring out my eyes." But I kind of look... like Uncle Leo, if you're a Seinfeld fan. But my hair turned out pretty good. I would post a picture, but I'm not feeling cute enough after being up most of the night with a sick baby.

Also, isn't breastfeeding supposed to prevent this sort of thing? Why do I have my tits hanging out constantly if he's still going to catch nasty viruses? I guess it could be worse.

Looking forward to when I can finally put away my tittays,

Fluffy

BRB

Our little Ghandi is hunger striking at daycare and making up for it at night. All night. Every night. So no sleep for me.

love, fluffy

Part Timer

Dear Diary,

Today is the first day of my new part-time work schedule. From now on I can pretend to be a stay-at-home mom on Mondays. We may venture to the little kiddie sing-along at the local coffee shop. Because, you know, Edwin just loves to sing. And he loves... coffee. Anyway, I'm thinking maybe I can meet other moms that way.

But it is a tricky business, this reaching out to meet other parents. Because what if you can't stand these people, and your kids become best friends? Then you're stuck hanging out with the kid's mom constantly, who may turn out to be into scrapbooking. Or worse. The possibilities are frightening. But it has to be done. I need to connect with other mothers with nearly 4 month old babies who refuse to nap unless physically attached to a parent, who will only sleep at night when curled up right next to mom (and no, mom cannot watch TV or read at bedtime), and who have no tolerance for being put down whatsoever. Welcome to attachment parenting gone horribly wrong.

Anyone? (Parents with babies who take nice long naps every day and who sleep through the night in their cribs can suck it and need not apply.)

Love,

Fluffy

P.S. - We had a very active holiday season, including Edwin getting some Jesus all up on him. Holy baptized baby, batman! And yes, that is a fruity little lace baptismal cap he's wearing. It's a family heirloom, and the pictures will come in handy for embarrassment purposes later on.