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Monday, October 13, 2008

Happy Busy

JP has five midterms this week, one every night from 6-9 PM. A few weeks ago this would have made me a bit anxious (read: bitchy) about five days of solo parenting because a few weeks ago I couldn't have imagined handling a full-time job and a full-time Landon at the same time. But now that the day has arrived I'm not nearly as concerned. For one, my job is not particularly demanding right now - the crashing stock market has ensured that corporate deal flow is crawling along at a leisurely pace. And two, Sir Landon is not nearly as demanding as he was only a short while ago, and even better, much of that demanding neediness has been replaced by cheerful funness (not sure if that's actually a word, but Urban Dictionary assures me it is and it flows well within the sentence, so I'm sticking with it).

I'm starting to understand why so many families have children spaced 2-3 years apart. Only two months ago I couldn't imagine parenting two kids; I was just coming around to the idea of having another someday, but I insisted that the doubling of the diaper-wearing members of our household would not happen for at least another three years (so actually the number wouldn't double, since Landon should be wearing big boy underpants by then). I just couldn't fathom dividing my time into any more pieces- right now I feel like I can be a good mom (to Landon and our animals), good attorney, good wife, good friend, etc. but I didn't see how that would be possible with a needy new baby in my life. And that addition still seems overwhelming, but as Landon gets a little bit more independent each day, it at least seems possible. So while I can guarantee there will be no big announcements for another year or more- after all we can't afford to pay for two kids in daycare until JP is working, I'm happy that my mind doesn't go into a tailspin of panic at the mere thought. Life with Landon is crazy, but the happy crazy is currently trumping the pull-your-hair-out-why-the-hell-did-we-procreate kind of crazy.

As for this week, I'm going to miss JP's presence in the evenings, but more for the fun and companionship rather than the physical help. Watching him chase after Landon is often the highlight of my day- he makes all kinds of crazy animal noises and Landon absolutely shrieks with delight, shrieks you wouldn't think capable of coming out of something human and standing less than 3 feet high. And I'll miss our late night thrown-together dinners, eating out of bowls in our laps on the couch, talking about our day and how cute our kid is, but it's only five days and he's getting up with Landon each morning so they'll have some toddler-daddy time and we'll get to talk when he comes home. He might even be brain dead enough after 3 hours of accounting questions to let me win a political "discussion" - not, mind you, that I ever lose, they're usually just a draw. And I have some mid-week entertainment planned: on Wednesday my uncle the pilot has an Austin layover so we're meeting for dinner and on Thursday my sister is coming over to prepare dinner as a thank-you for her career makeover last week (which went very well!). And then Saturday my parents, a set of grandparents, and my siblings are all coming over to celebrate JP's 27th birthday and babysit Landon while JP and I finally make use of our U.T. football season tickets. And Sunday we're hosting about 50 people at our house for a very belated housewarming extravaganza.

So busy as usual, but a happy busy.

10 comments:

  1. I think I want your life. You always seem to have so much going on and such a happy family. I'm envious.

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  2. Wow! You are one busy lady! I hope one day to be able to juggle as well as you do!

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  3. That's a whole heck of a lot of test. Dang!

    I would be panicking, of course my daughter is only 3.5 months.

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  4. I love happy busy!! I think you're right about spacing kids. Your body just can't comprehend it when they are still so needy, but once they are fun toddlers it's ready to go again!

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  5. It kind of sucks when JP is busy with school and has to be away from home, but it will be amazing when he is on break and has free time!

    Also, I cannot even imagine more than one kid right now, even without that needy baby in my house yet, and even though I'm pretty sure I eventually want at least two... but it's the same sort of back and forth that I went through when we were deciding whether we were ready to start a family. Some days you feel like you're already stretched to the max and don't want to "squeeze" anything else in, but then other days you just think about the joy that babies can bring and throw your plans and "perfect timing" away. Whenever you decide to have another, I bet it will be the same way as with the first... you find a way to make it happen practically and then you can't imagine your life any other way!

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  6. I love happy crazy! I'm so glad things are going so well for you guys!

    I can't imagine having baby #2 right now... we're still not sure when that'll happen. But I'm glad to hear that at some point it'll seem possible!

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  7. at the sleepless worn out stage I am in with a new baby it is nice to know that they get ore fun and more independent. It's also nice to know that the idea of being pregnant again and having another new baby will at some point be appealing!

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  8. Cee: I didn't say the idea of being pregnant again was appealing, just the idea of having a new baby around! I'm pretty sure being pregnant will never sound like fun, especially since I know I got off easy last time by only enduring 8 months of it...

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  9. Ugh - being pregnant again. That thought makes me gag. And yet I'm going to belly up to the bar when hubby gets back from Iraq and work on Baby #2. Or, I guess, arse up to the bar. Sorry. I couldn't resist.

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