Notes from the other side of the line

Being a working mom kind of puts a dent in your blogging time, I find.

“I know it’s not a friendly thought”: Doc, NOTHING that has to do with oral surgery is a friendly thought. In fact, I’d lay money on the fact that very few of your patients harbor “friendly thoughts” about you. Sharp metal objects against teeth tends to take the affinity out of a relationship. Gratitude for clean teeth — I will give you that. But no friendliness.

My heart’s a-Flickrin’: I am even more Flickr-obsessed. Yesterday morning I found a pro account waiting for me, given by a very cool blogger who made my day. Now I am going to go truly buck-nuts with the photos. THANK YOU AGAIN, very cool blogger.

The importance of a schedule: Owen and I, we had a talk, and we worked out a schedule that I can count on. Having a schedule I can count on is better than chocolate, better than another 40GB of hard-drive space, better than having every season of Sex and the City on DVD. It is pure joy. With a schedule I can count on, Owen gets the naps he needs, the food he needs, and the cheerful mom he needs.

Remember how crappy last week was, and how he cried and I just didn’t know what to do? That’s what life is like without a schedule I can count on. Guilt, paranoia and madness take over my brain because I don’t know what to do with my kid. This week, on the other hand, has been awesome. I go to work happy. I come home happy. Owen is happy. Our little family knows what to expect, and that makes everyone happy.

In the evening, I can relax when i come home. I know that he takes a little nap before he has his evening bottle. I know that he’ll have a bath after that, and then we’ll read him storybooks, and then at 7:30 it’s BEDTIME. Every night, bedtime! Like clockwork! Knowing when to drink in all my Owen time and when to put him to sleep, when I can watch America’s Next Top Model and when I have to put things on hold. This is the result of A SCHEDULE I CAN COUNT ON, one that Owen happily submits to, praise be to Jebus for ever and ever amen.

As my own dear Ma pointed out, however, I can expect this to last approximately one week before he gets bored and needs a new schedule. But that’s next week. For this week, I have a schedule I can count on!! Did I mention that yet?

April 21, 2005 | Filed Under daily grind

Comments

One Response to “Notes from the other side of the line”

debbie on April 21st, 2005 5:36 pm

you know, don’t be so sure about the little guy needing a new schedule next week. babies crave regularity, you just need to recognize their need for it. with my first, we both figured out after 3 or 4 months that he not only needed but *wanted* a nap every 3 hours or so. damned if that didn’t last until he was well over 1! and since he was 5 months old, natey MUST nap at around 9 and then at 1. he’s fighting the second nap and trying to push the first one later now that he’s 13 months, but he usually curls right up in the crib when it’s naptime.

god, a predictable schedule is so awesome. take the lead and he will follow, and be happier for it!