Adventures in babysitting?
September 21st, 2006 by amylherzog
Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you: Is there anything in this world more cute than a toddler in feetie pajamas?
I didn’t think so. (Whenever Jacob finds something on the ground, he picks it up, holds it as high in the air as he can manage, and stomps around loudly proclaiming his prowess to the world. It’s cute, but strange.)
Jon is getting settled at NPS, and I’m getting settled here, I suppose. The sleep situation has improved, thank goodness. It looks like he was (a) teething, (b) eating the wrong kinds of foods before bed, and (c) needed a new bedtime routine. Now that (b) and (c) are taken care of, he’s falling asleep much more easily. I expect the night wakings will settle down again once (a) is in a lull. Three of his molars are now through the gum, and the fourth looks to be any day.
I keep finding myself thinking about MITRE, the people I left there, the work I passed along. How is it going? Is my government counterpart still enjoying his promotion? Are my direct reports still doing well? As much as I’m thrilled to pieces that we’ve been able to make my staying home work out financially, it’s taking a little while to let go of my old identity. I shouldn’t be surprised by that–I gave them 10 years of my life and threw myself into my work–but I am. It feels a little like I’ve lost my favorite pair of slippers or sweat pants–there’s nothing comfortable to slip into anymore!
Full-time motherhood is more daunting this time around (vs. the first 8 months of Jacob’s life, before I went back to work). Now that he’s a toddler, he’s coming everywhere I go, eating everything I eat, listening to every word I say, and comprehending most everything I do. It’s more exhausting now: When he was 2 months old, if I was having a bad day I could pretty much just stick him in my lap, nurse him, and surf the internet all day. Not so much an option anymore, that. It’s also just plain scarier: It’s much more clear, now, that I’m helping shape a person. He’s clearly learning about the world and how to relate to it through my example, so I’d better make it a damn good example.
I feel a little mean saying this, but it’s also more rewarding this time around. As much as I really could (and did!) sit around all day smelling that heady new-baby smell and playing with his little toes, it’s a lot more fun to watch him figure out his shape-sorter puzzle or play peek-a-boo with him (at his urging!) or hear him say “bye bye mom!” (“buh buh ma!”) 7,000 times as he steps in and out of the house.
So, yeah. We’re settling in. Life is good here. I hope it’s good where you are, too.
Hello, all you “Zogs!
Amy, the direct link you provided works just great.
Man, oh, man! Is Jacob ever growing! The next year should see almost as many changes as the first. But they will be language and motor skills. What a fun age.
I know what you mean about him being more demanding at this age, but how fun to actually be interacting with him and watching him figure things out, huh?
Your new life will take a little adjusting to. You may find, as many Mother’s do, that you want a day or two of “outside the house, away from the Kid” time working or doing volunteer work.
So happy that you can be home with Jacob and he with you. Before you know it, it will be Pre-School time.
Keep those precious pics coming!!
Love, Bev
I think a lot about the Anderson Collection, too, so I definitely know where you are coming from. It is really hard to let go of “museum professional” and “wage earner” as part of my identity, at least for the time being.
*hugs* I’m glad you guys are settling in. Jacob continues to be adorable.