Why do we forget how much effort it takes to be caretaker for a tiny little baby? Ha! They don't require much unless I am the adult in charge. Here's the problem in a nutshell, if the baby is awake, I feel like I have to entertain her. Yes, I give her crib time because she loves her mobile (it's a Wimmer-Ferguson developmental mobile and, as an early childhood developmental specialist, I LOVE IT) but when Baby M tires of 'talking' to the baby face on the mobile, I put on my best bag of tricks for helping Baby M develop other skills. It's exhausting. I need some Geritol.
I cannot, for the life of me, just let Baby M sit in her bouncy seat and have fun staring and trying to control her hands. I have to talk to her while she's doing that--"Those are your sweet little hands. You'll be able to do all sorts of things with those hands..." I cannot just hold her on my lap while I watch television or read a book. No, I have to talk to her and read to her and give her the name of the things I think she's looking at. I cannot just let her sit on my lap outside or be in the stroller on a walk. No, I have to point out the trees and the effect the wind has on them and that yellow butterfly that flutters through the yard and the birds that eat from the deck right in front of us. I cannot just change her clothes, I have to talk her through it. Every step. I cannot simply read her a book, I have to tell her what the big words mean. The only time I'm not interacting with her is when she's sleeping. I need some Geritol.
Then there's the fact that I still have my sweet Tucker pup to let in and out of the house a gazillion times every single day to chase those squirrels. And the flies I have to chase down and destroy who sneak in when Tucker opens the door by himself because I left it ajar. I really need some Geritol.
And what about the housework? That's still mine as well. There are three adults in this house but only one cooks and cleans and grocery shops. All the while trying to care for Baby M, blog, write, and set up my Etsy shop (oh, BTW, I'm setting up an Esty shop, y'all!). Please tell me they still make Geritol.
I've brought back Wednesday night dinners. That's the only day Baby M is here from morning to evening. What a great idea that was. Have you tried preparing a meal for 7+ adults with an infant in the house? An infant who knows exactly when you were going to begin preparing this meal and decides she will not be napping so you have to entertain her instead of cooking? Where can I buy some Geritol?
I could easily blame all of this on my granddaddy who always said, "The housework can wait, babies and children won't. Spend your time with them and don't worry about the rest." And he was right. The house can wait. Baby M is way more important (and fun) and she won't be a baby for long.
These are not bad things. I love taking care of Baby M. She's the sweetest little wiggly thing. A delight, really. I wouldn't even consider not letting Tucker in and out a gazillion times and robbing him of his fun. But no matter how you look at it people, I am not a young person anymore so I am looking for some Geritol. And I'm buying it in bulk.
Do y'all know who sells Geritol?
Peace, Peeps!
