One thing about having a baby around has taught me is how to
try and manage my time effectively.
Ordinarily, I'm not a planner at all.
I tend to prefer to just go with the flow. Let things happen how they will. In fact, that's one of those great differences
between my wife and I. She is the
planner extraordinaire in our home.
Whether it's meals for the week or knowing what laundry needs to be done
first, she's generally on the ball and already has it all figured out. On the flip side of that coin, I tend to
begin thinking about what to eat for dinner about ten minutes after hunger
pangs set in. And laundry? I pretty much do it when I notice I have no
clean clothes remaining and I'm resorting to sniffing pairs of gym shorts to
see what does or doesn't smell.
Since Ellie's been born, I've actively been trying to schedule
out a timeline for the day. For example,
Bethany gets Ellie out of her crib each morning around 6:00. By that timeline, I know that I need to get
her in position to take a nap around 7:30 or there will be ample freaking
out. Then I know that Ellie will wake up
anytime between 10:30 and 11:30 to eat approximately four ounces of milk. She will want to play and interact for about
an hour and a half after she wakes up so that puts her wanting to sleep again
between noon and 1:30 pm. Overwhelmed
yet? I know it makes my brain hurt a
little just thinking about it. If I choose
to leave the house with Ellie to go run some errands or anything, then that
results in additional computations that need to be figured out. Everyone remembers that algebra class they
took when they thought, "I'll never use this." I'm borderline having to use that just to
plan my days now.
There's so much more that actually has to be planned now
outside of Ellie's schedule for the day.
Anytime Bethany and I simply want some time without Ellie, it can't come
without a few complications. First and
foremost, does Ellie need a babysitter or can we just go ahead and let her stay
home alone? "Now Ellie. Don't answer the door if there's a stranger
there. Don't use the phone to call
China. No, you can't use the stove to
make Bagel Bites. The toaster or microwave
will work just fine."
Obviously, we don't let our twelve week old daughter stay
alone. That wouldn't be prudent at
all. Anytime Bethany and I want a date,
we plan ahead and find a babysitter.
Fortunately, we have so many wonderful friends, family, and random acquaintances that
have offered to babysit Ellie for us.
I'm not complaining but there is something to be said for the ease of
dropping everything and going somewhere whenever you want. Now that doesn't occur without a car seat, a
diaper bag, and something else I'm forgetting.
Must not be too important. It'll
come to me at some point. Don't you hate
it when you can't remember something like that?
Oh yeah, a baby! #DaddyWrite
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