Naptime Blog

This morning, my husband kissed us goodbye as he left for his annual business trip to Reno.  He is running a conference from Tuesday through Saturday and is expected back on Sunday.  So for almost a full week, I will be manning this ship by myself.  Luckily I will have a lot of help, so I will not be alone, but I still have been dreading this week for some time. 

This morning, my cousin, who is off from school until later this month for winter break, came to stay with us for a few days.  I will have another adult with me at night with the kids, and her being here will make things much easier on me.  My parents only live two blocks away, and my mom comes every afternoon for about an hour to help with the kids while I start dinner.  They will be around whenever I need them.  My Dad even suggested we spend the week at their place, but I just can’t see uprooting all four kids, their clothes, toys, special foods, etc., so I declined.  On Wednesday, my mother-in-law will come for dinner and spend the night.  She is also a big help.  Then on Thursday my two aunts and another cousin is coming.  My cousin will spend the night with us.  She is actually a NICU nurse and is so good with all the kids… she is a pro at changing diapers and giving medicine!  And then my mother-in-law will be back on Friday afternoon and stay until Sunday.  As I said, I will have help around the clock.  But I won’t have my husband!

We have a system in the morning and at night.  He gets my daughter up every morning and helps her get ready for school.  He then helps me get the other three babies changed and gives them bottles while I am in the shower.  He takes my daughter to the bus on his way to work.  When he returns from work, we sit down for dinner, he helps me with the dirty dishes, then we hang out a little bit, then take the kids up and get them ready for bed.  He usually puts their pajamas on.  If I hadn’t already bathed them, he helps bathe the babies before bed.  Then we sit together chat about the day’s events.  We might even either watch TV together or I will do some writing on my laptop while he reads.  However we spend our time together is quality time, and I truly enjoy his company and his companionship.  So not having him for a week will be rough.

I know we’ll be fine, and with four kids, a full time job and a ton of other responsibilities, I know the week will fly.  I just miss him already!

Jennifer
Wife to Paul, Mom to Juliana (7), Anthony and Louis (1) and Joseph (4 months)www.nevaland.com