Single Mom

Kirk was away on a business trip this past week and his absence has made me realize how hard it must be to be a single parent.  On a typical day, I usually come home from work to a cooked dinner.  We share doggie duties and both make an effort to keep the house straightened.  Grandma helps with the baby, but always at my house.  This past week was a little different.

Tuesday Gabriel had to go to Auntie Melissa's house while I worked because Grandma wasn't available.  With Kirk gone, I had to get up extra early (5 am) to shower and dress for work, get Gabriel ready, load up the car with all of the necessary baby gear, and drive over to her house for the drop off.  From there I headed to work.  At lunch, in the pouring rain, I drove back to Melissa's to feed Gabriel.  After work, it was back to Melissa's to pick up Gabriel, stop for gas, and finally head home.  Once home, it was bath time!  After bath, book, and boob, it was bed time (730).  At this point, I was ready for dinner but definitely not in the mood to cook and do dishes, so I threw together a quick salad with some leftover salmon, corn and goat cheese.  I ate, then straightened the kitchen and got the coffee ready for the next day.  I feed the dogs, threw a load of laundry in the wash, folded another, and got the house as clean as I could.  I gave the dogs needed attention and food but we had to skip the walk because it was raining and I couldn't leave a baby alone.  Once they were attended to, I washed my face, brushed me teeth, and quickly fell asleep at 930, only to start over the next day.  Fortunately, Grandma was available and coming over to my house. 

In summary, my hats off to single mommies and daddies.  I don't know how you do it all.  And to my dear husband, you are so greatly appreciated.

Note - Here's a photo of Gabriel sleeping on Auntie Melissa's belly.  I told her I usually put Gabriel down for naps by laying down with him, putting him on my chest and patting his back.  Her belly got in the way so they had to reconfigure.