The first time Scout spent a night away from us he was six months old. He stayed with… who else? My parents!
Packing entailed…
An hour by hour schedule of his day– typed, color-coded, and placed in a sheet protector.
Detailed instructions on his bedtime routine (Also typed, color-coded, and placed in a sheet protector)
Each of his meals individually packed, labeled, date- and time-stamped.
No less than five “emergency outfits” and matching socks, in addition to his regular clothes. (This was for ONE night away)
Stacks upon stacks of the over-priced diapers that I preferred… lest they run out and my child would have to poo in some “inferior” brand they happen to pick up at Wal-Mart.
A bouncy chair. An exercaucer. A bag full of toys, books, baby sign language flash cards, CDs of classical music.
Copies of our insurance cards, living wills…
Three years and one more child later…
Me: “Is he still alive?”
Mom: “Yes”
Me: “Awesome! Thanks!”
******************************************
I can’t believe how well we’ve handled this whole “parenting two children” thing thus far.
In spite of being up every three hours at night, I’m surprisingly fresh faced and well rested. I’ve had time to work on birth announcements, take showers, cuddle up and read books with Scout, write thank you notes…
People told me that the second time around is much easier, but this is ridiculous!
Then I realized WHY…
As I type this my dad is downstairs cleaning up after the dinner that he shopped for and prepared. He’s also keeping an eye on Scout, who is watching a TV show before the bath that my dad will insist on giving him.
I have no idea what the two of them did today, because I was napping.
My mom had to return to work earlier, but not before stocking our freezer with months worth of home-cooked meals and cleaning the entire house.
It’s difficult for my parents to take time away from work, but I’m so glad that they did because I don’t know how we could have survived the past week and a half without them. There isn’t even a word for how grateful I’ve been to have them here.
All I know is how much they will be missed.
(p.s. Mom and Dad, please don’t leave me alone with them…)
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Having help is great. I wish I had more of it, and that it could stick around for 3 or 4 years, just to get past the rough years.
Too funny! I didn’t leave any instructions when I left Charlie alone the first time…and it didn’t even dawn on me that they might need some kind of guidelines until my mom asked, “Well, does he eat?” That’s far cry from when I first left Jack!
It’s so nice that your parents were able to come and stay. Nothing like having a grammy and granddad around!
Awww…your parents are too cute! So glad they were able to stay and help out.
Two is definitely different then one…fun to see all of the difference.
Sheesh…can you send them my way? I need them!
lol, you totally made me giggle with that sentence under the last pic, lol!
I am the same way now. We just left both kids with a friend. We have never left them with anyone but my parents. I threw the bag in the door, threw the pac n’ play inside pretty much said don’t worry it’s easy to set up and left, lol! They survived 🙂
Love the picture–so sweet!
And I know what you mean…my family leaves tomorrow morning and that’s the last of our family that will be visiting *sniff*
I’m here if you need anything–I know I’ll be reading your blog like crazy for any tips/tricks…good luck to us both, lol!
Your parents are awesome! Babies are always easier when there is help around. My SIL has been awesome to me and she’s only been here off an on over the past two months.
Even though I have worked as a Nanny for quite some time now I still can’t imagine what it’s like if you can’t go home at 5.30… Never forget to ask for help if you need it.
You are lucky to have that help. My mom always comes for about a week and half after my babies are born and she is a GOD send. She’ll be here in about 7 weeks to help again!
Glad you are rested…
You are so cute. Your whole family is!
I have an only child and I have to say that the thing I regret…the only thing I regret about it, is that I didn’t realize how much more laid back I could have been. BTW that picture is priceless–so nice it should come with every frame in Target.
That picture is so sweet! How are you feeling btw?!? All the posting is a sure sign that you haven’t passed out on us yet, right?!?! I hope so 🙂