WAITING FOR THE POT TO BOIL (PART II)

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Monday, January 30, 2006

A Day in the Life in the Land of Liam

So since my parents are babysitting on Super Bowl Sunday, my Mom wanted to know a rough outline of Liam's daily routine. I thought I would share a day in the life of Liam. I totally stole this post from the email I sent her and I apologize for my laziness! Here we go, all times are approximate, all details are subject to change with out notification. Offers void where prohibited:

Midnightish- Liam fusses very quietly until fed. When he sees the bottle he opens his little mouth like a fish and goes, "Uh uh" until he is given the bottle. This takes 5-10 min then straight back to bed where he puts himself to sleep by sucking on the shoulder fabric of his outfit.

4am-ish- Second bottle 5-10 min, puts himself to sleep by sucking on his shoulder.

6ish- 3rd bottle ditto on details. Sometimes will begin singing in attempt to make this time for wake up. Mom NEVER falls for this, she rolls over and falls asleep and eventually baby gives up.

7:30 This is the most consistent of all habits. Almost on the dot: The singing begins. He talks, laughs, fusses and sings. If I am super tired I let him do this for about 15 min while I cram in some extra ZZZZZs

7:15-8:30 Pop my head up over the railing and say, "Good Morning!" To which he ALWAYS grins at me. Pick him up and prop him up on the pillow on the bed in his room. Lay down next to him and doze for a few extra minutes while he plays with his hands. Usually he turns his head and watches, smiling sweetly. When he starts putting his feet in the air, I wake myself up again. He is prompting me for what comes next every morning. Unzip the sleep sack so he can look at his feet. Still laying next to him on the pillow, lift his feet so he can see them better and touch them. Then he will arch his back and look at the window until you open the blinds. Back to the feet. Time for you to play with Toe-sies. First you sit up and face him, rub them together, then you clap them together, then you sniff them and say, "Whew stinky feet!" (that is so from my paternal side, but how can one who never wears shoes get stinky feet?) Anyway then you put his feet on your cheeks (one foot per cheek) and say "Ching ching ching, " then put them on his cheeks and say, "Ping ping ping" at which point he will laugh because he thinks this is great. Repeat until he gets bored, or I get bored which usually comes first. Then lay down and put him on your chest for tummy time. Do this until he seems bored. Or you feel like you may actually drown if you get one more drop of drool on you. Diaper and clothing change. Clothing must have no feet because he likes to have his feet out in the morning, if you attempt to apply socks, they will be removed by said baby. Make sure every time you change his diaper you turn on the yellow stoplight above the changing table. If you forget, he will remind you by staring at the light. He will then look up and backwards for Daddy, but you have to remind him Daddy is at work but he loves him. Then apply massive quantities of zerberts to the belly region. To which baby will smile placatingly at you, because he hasn't decided why parents find this funny, but we are optimistic he will one day laugh. Marvel that the weight of his night time diaper is at least a pound, yes I've weighed it. Pick up baby and take him to the bathroom mirror so he can say good morning to the other baby.

8:30-10ish Put Liam in his "entertainer" and place "entertainer" and baby in the kitchen. Wait, reverse the order on that... Then do dishes and fix yourself breakfast. Scoot baby/entertainer into TV room and watch TV while eating breakfast. If baby fusses, give baby your undivided attention and he will again be happy. If he fusses call over Xena dog and he will be happy indefinitely. Put Liam in bark-a-lounger and take a shower. Make sure you place him next to the back door so he can watch the dogs run by and while in the shower, talk to him and sing. Preferably "Jerry the big giraffe." (His neck is long, his legs are strong) Get out of shower and make embarASSed jokes about mooning the baby. Make sure when you brush your teeth you face him so he can watch and laugh. Then brush his 2 teeth with his baby brush and mango fruit safe toothpaste.

10-11ish Nap then bottle or bottle then nap, just play it by ear. He can sleep in bed with you or in his bark a lounger. If he naps next to you be prepared to be smacked in the face repeatedly with outstretched arms.

11-12:30 Clean or whatever, just put him in his swing or on his mat or wherever he can see you.

12:30ish- This is lately his bigger nap, put him in his crib and close the door with monitor on. Blanket on, tuck him in kiss forehead and say "It's nap time!" like it is the greatest thing. Sneak back in later to take picture or just stare adoringly.

12:30-2pm Mama plays on Internet and watches TV

2pm- Liam wakes up, we run errands

3ish Attempt to feed the baby rice mush and peaches.

3:15-3:30 Clean up the mess feeding the baby caused, or let dog in to lick floor and baby.

3:30 Daddy comes home, change of guard, Mama takes a nap or finishes vacuuming or reads a book or pretends to do one of the above so she can have a moment alone.

4pm ish -Bottle and he and Daddy play on the Internet, play video games, do tummy time with heavy emphasis on practicing rolling over, fix things and do other manly things.

5-6pm Liam takes a nap time in his chair. Not before compalining over dramatically and very loudly.

6-6:30 Make dinner for adults and hang out with or bathe increasingly grumpy baby.

6:30-7pm Bedtime Routine: Put on the red stoplight. Sing "You don't have to put on a red light. Rooooooxane." Every time. Lube and change baby. Put on a sleeper sack suit. Baby will laugh and become extremely fun and happy. Do not be fooled, it is a trick. Hand baby to Daddy who will feed night time bottle. Turn on mobile and leave the room. Eaves drop on Daddy and baby from the safety of the living room.

7pm-midnight ish FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sleep, watch TV, throw a party, get drunk. Er, ignore the last one....

Was that detailed enough? Probably too much info. I told my mom she might want to print this and save it to refer back to, as needed, just in case. If he fusses for no reason, it is usually because he is too warm. Diaper changes are as needed, no predictable indicator except sniff test. Bottles are on a demand basis, if he is done or doesn't want it he will pretend to drink but then let the milk fall out of his mouth. I guess he just doesn't want to hurt my feelings....

Hope you enjoyed your brief foray into the life of Little Man Liam, til later!

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