Was excited for a moment- a very short moment

An article by bconvis    No Comments

About a month ago, when my wife started getting bigger and the imminent birth of my second child slowly became reality, my thoughts travelled back to 2 years ago, when Nathan was born.

I’m not saying that those days when my wife was in the hospital were the best days of my life, but man, were they relaxing.  Just me and the dog at home (a daschund names Friday who weighs 27 pounds).  I could go where I wanted, when I wanted, eat where I wanted, watch whatever I wanted on TV, and do chores when i chose to. 

As I thought back to those days, I thought to myself: It will be a relaxing couple of days when my wife was in the hospital again.  That thought lasted less than a second, as the horror of the reality set in.  It wouldn’t be just me and the dog this time.  It would be me, the dog… and the two year old. 

Now, neither my wife nor I have ever spent a whole 24 hour period alone with Nathan.  If I am away at a dental convention or taking courses, she goes to her parents, who have a crib set up because her sister has several children under 5. 

So for four days, it’s just going to be me and the baby.  Just… me… and… Nathan.  Now, my child can be difficult.  He is just like me: stubborn and cranky.  Very cranky.  And very stubborn, and I cringe at the idea at being the one who has to feed him and put him to bed without the help of my wife for 4 days straight.  It will get done, but probably not well.  Don’t get me wrong, I do plenty.  I bathe him every night.  I will give him  breakfast or lunch if my wife is out.  It is not taking care of him with sets fear deep into my heart.  It’s taking care of him for four days in a row.  Dealing with his tantrums at bed time when all he wants to do is play or watch TV.  Finding something for him to eat when he refuses to eat what I make him (he is allergic to milk and eggs, making feeding him more difficult).  Knowing that at 11:00 at night, i can’t leave and go to Wawa or Dunkin Donuts for coffee.  You can leave  dog alone at home, but family services have a problem when you leave a 2 year old alone at home.

I don’t know if both of us will make it to Sunday alive.  Or at least without a couple of scars.  My 22 pound 2 year old is a scrappy fighter.

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