So the Petite Filet jetted off to the Texas coast this past weekend to have some Girl Time with several members of her fam (mom, one sister, aunts, etc.). That left me at home to have nothin' but Boy Time (our dog is even male) for a few days. Lemmetellya, it's not all fun and games, dear Internet hearts! Being a single parent - artificially and temporarily - is still difficult.
I cut some of the difficulty (or maybe added to it) by haulin' the Cutlet and Riblet with me to hang out with my parents, sister and her family for the afternoon. We had a nice visit, had lunch and dinner with them, and then hoofed it home. Changing every diaper? No problem. Escorting the older one to the potty nearly every time? I usually do that anyway. But there are things that can make it worse.
• Baby poo everywhere!
The Riblet had an ear infection and near-baby bronchitis last week. The meds he is finishing up can cause, as an unpleasant side effect, lots of dribbly poo. Coupled with the cough medicine he was on (it's blue), the dye turned said poo green. Even better? It was raining hard on the way home Saturday night, nowhere to stop, and he let loose. He let loose so much that, well, to spare nonparents out there, let's just say wipes wouldn't do. He needed a bath.
• Emergency Bath v. 2.0
The Cutlet may have eaten a little too much sugar or something. He showed no signs of illness or tummy ache before he went to bed. But a bit after 11 p.m., as I was getting ready to slumber myself, he barfed all over everything. Four-year-olds, like most of us, don't like to barf. But he also is still unclear on the mechanics of the whole thing. I carry him to the bathroom, where he has a followup spew during which he covers his mouth with his hand, making the trajectory a little less predictable. After he is mostly done, I put him in the bath tub to clean him up. He is whining and protesting (things I do when not feeling well), but I get him clean and changed into new PJs. He lays back down on the sofa, but then another round rears its ugly head and under protest and whiny-ness again, he lays a good vomit comet all over everything (thankfully in the bathroom this time). Laundry churning, stomach settled, he drifts off to a more peaceful slumber and shows no signs of sickness the next morning. We stayed home from church, however, because I couldn't take the chance.
• Delayed Flight
The Petite Filet's flight was delayed nearly an hour Sunday evening because of severe thunderstorms. Who knew it ever rained in Houston? I would have known this had I not forgotten my cell phone at home. As it was, me and the boys (who, blisfully, napped for much of the trip) circled the airport scanning the sidewalk outside baggage claim for her. No luck! We must've done 200 laps and yet we didn't even get a NASCAR trophy. Not knowing where the heck she was, I parked the car, took both boys inside the airport and finally found her as she was just walking in. Note to self: as much as I hate having a cell phone, it's better to have it and have it than have it and leave it. Yes, I'll remember next time.
• In conclusion
Anybody can be a single parent, but it takes a lot to be a good one. My hat is off to those fighting the good fight.
• P.S.
The PF isn't allowed to take any more trips for awhile without all of us! Although, she does have a biz trip slated for February. Maybe there's a way we can go, too.
I have done my time in the trenches.
Ilove the night a daughter got a virus and thoroughly covered herself, her bedclothes, the crib and the floor with acid gushers from both ends.
I didn't know where to begin to pick her up and not trail goo all down the hall. I remember untucking the crib sheet and rolling her up in one big wad for the trip to the bathroom.
Or (because it was prior to the vaccine) when three of the four all came down with the chicken pox. Baby Em didn't get it for another two years, thankfully.
You get the meritous Purple Heart Daddy badge....
Whew..I'm tired just reading about your temporary single parenthood!