I had a rare experience of looking after Hallam on my own today, whilst having other stuff to do at the same time.
I am not sure if you have babies of your own or know this already? But – it is actually totally (almost) impossible to do anything proper and look after a one-year-old. Whilst you chop an onion, the baby is off pulling things down, sticking his fingers in things, putting his hands in the toilet, taking everything out of the fridge, shaking the milk bottle, sticking his fingers in more things, emptying the recycling bin, playing with utensils, fiddling with tampons, and falling over quite frequently. And that’s all whilst you chop the onion, before you have even attempted to a) fry the onion, b) add the other stuff to make it a chilli con carne or c) do the washing up.
Basically – I looked after my baby, whilst I cooked a meal and did the washing up. I think I deserve a medal or a big gin and tonic.
I know this is totally what most people have to do on a daily basis*, and I am very lucky that Bill is around for cooking time. And, in fact, I am very lucky that Bill usually does the cooking.
*Do you do this? How do you cook and look after a baby at the same time? It’s pretty rare that either of us have to do this, because it almost always involves the list of things above AND having trousers pulled down. So. We feel it is better to eat a little later than to be standing away from the work surface because the fridge door is open, with a baby in the fridge, whilst leaning over the open door and chopping an onion, with trousers around one’s ankles.
You’ve mastered it! That’s exactly how you do it: leaning away from counter, pants round ankles etc etc. Just add singing a tuneless and ridiculous song in an attempt to pacify/distract baby and you’re a for away.
Is SO tedious …
Finally F’s got to the stage where I can give her some courgettes and a plastic knife and she’ll happily chop for about 30 seconds while I frantically do everything else. Plus clean up shredded courgette off the floor.
Ah the joys …
Stair gate across entrance to kitchen… if not for that we would get nothing done… ever… plus you get to sing the theme tune to Prisoner Cell Block H at your offspring while they cling to the bars which is always a bonus…
??He used to bring me roses… I wish he would again… but that was on the outside… and things were different then…??
Either that or place baby in high chair with crayons/chunk of apple/toy and let them watch you work!
Well done though hun, it sounds like you did fab…
Nice know H is a pantser too… Rox never did but Nova would pants me all day if he could… xxx
Molly, you sound far too comfortable with getting things done. I think you should have another baby to throw some more confusion into the mix
Moxie, I think we need a cage! An actual cage! It also sounds a little easy for you – definitely time for another one to make things interesting.
xxxx
(And – oh! – how convenient, you are BOTH HAVING BABIES!)
lol – yes we are…. well, I know I am… and any day now but have to trust you of news on your lovely friend.
I think you should have another one too. I need to hand over the bump baton and can’t think of anyone lovelier to hand it too!
xxx