Home Alone

Well, I’m home alone. Actually, I’m not that alone, I have a little bear with me.

S is in Houston for the Mom 2.0 Summit, where I’m happy to say she’s moderating a panel. Go, wife! The downside is that apparently at these Mom events, there is no room for children. or husbands, for that matter.

Not that there should be. People have to work, and network, and the like. It just means that for the next 4 days, I’m living the lifestyle of a single parent. Something I don’t particularly relish at all.

S being away really only adds an hour or two to my care-giving time, but that couple of hours (which I usually spend cooking dinner for S and I, and then checking email, or vegetating in front of hulu) can make a world of difference in quality of life. Even though I spend it cooking or vegetating or not being productive, (although I do sometimes spend it at the gym) that time where I don’t have to worry about the bear is very useful.

Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with the bear. And I’m not complaining. Our situation is pretty good, and although I do change the bulk of the diapers (yucko), I still think I’ve got the better end of the stick (and the one most suited for me. I don’t have the skills or the opportunity to earn what S earns. She’s paying the mortgage, and earning enough to keep us in pancakes and diapers. And she’s out 11 hours a day, and barely gets to see the bear. )

But even with a part-time nanny, I spend 9-10 hours a day with him (6-9 in the morning, 1-7, or 6-2, and then 6-7. Assuming she comes on time, which is a rare occurence)

The days that S comes home late for the office, it’s another hour or so more. (And I’m not counting his frequent up at 10:30 or 2 am jots, where I have to get him so Stephanie can sleep and be refreshed for work.) Which means I’m still frequently pretty darned tired.  And I’m not doing the stuff I should be doing, like looking for more work, or exercising more, or (fill in the undone chore or responsibility here)______________________.

It’s not that I have to be constantly with him– he sometimes naps for a part of that time (although lately it’s been in the car, which lowers my productivity and options when we get to wherever we are going on errands!) And he loves to sweep, and he can play by himself for 10-15 minutes every 3 hours or so. But it’s hard. And fun. We have lots of fun together!

Here are some photos of us having fun together this morning.