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On Wednesday, Nina was in Austin for StitchFix training so that meant I was home alone all day with a 14 month old baby. But, don’t worry, it wasn’t like anything from the movie Home Alone.
A few minutes before Nina left and she left earlier than I usually do; then again, my work is 22 miles and hers is over 60 miles, Niko woke up. I got him and thought I could cuddle him in our bed so we could go back to sleep, but that didn’t work. Nina got to see him very briefly in the morning. Once she left, I was on my own. I didn’t have any specific plans, but she did tell me that if I wanted to relax or nap, do it on his 1st nap since he sleeps longer than his 2nd nap.
For breakfast, Niko and I had eggs and strawberries; very healthy. After that, I took him on his morning walk where he had his goat milk and I had a glass of water. It’s always nice outside for a few minutes, but eventually, after about 15 minutes, it gets hot! We were both sweating profusely and when I made it home, we each got new outfits. Oh, about halfway thru our walk, Niko was done being in stroller, so I had to carry him and push the stroller! Hey, a dad has to what has to be done. He actually enjoyed me carrying him as I got lots of smiles and laughs and he also barked liked a dog since some of our neighbors have dogs that bark.
After our walk, we played, I read him books, he got some more food, and we had a pleasant conversation about life although I couldn’t really understand him. At 9am, I asked him if he was ready for nap 1 and he ran to the stairs and said up! As soon as I put him down, I put myself down and I napped until 10:30 and he napped until 11am; I don’t think he fell asleep till about 9:30am.
I must’ve had a very refreshing nap because after I got him and we were downstairs, I decided to take him out for lunch. I packed his goat milk, a towel, a bib, and a spare t-shirt for him. I think this was the 1st time I have been out with Niko without anybody else; like my wife or my parents. I did invite my parents, but they were busy.
I went to Sea Island, a local seafood restaurant because I know Niko can eat fish and shrimp; not fried but grilled and I can eat almost anything. Plus, within the past few weeks, Niko has been eating corn on the cob and they have that at Sea Island.
The hostess was extremely helpful as she got me a highchair, took our food to our table when it was ready, and got a small box to go for leftovers. I didn’t get any strange looks since I was alone with a baby, a lunch bag, and a diaper bag. I was just being a dad! I wasn’t even dressed nicely; I wore a t-shirt and my sleeping shorts. At least, I put on deodorant; I don’t even think I brushed my hair or teeth…oh well!
Niko enjoyed his lunch and watching everybody. He devoured the corn of the cob, had a little bit of grilled fish, grilled shrimp, and a few spoons of my seafood gumbo soup. He only dropped a little bit of corn pieces on the floor and the nice hostess swept it away for me. I wasn’t ready to be done yet so we went next door to Buc-ee’s because I wanted a drink. Hey, I have had less than 10 since last September and along with exercising and eating less and eating more healthy, I have dropped some weight and I am very proud of myself. I don’t have a weight goal in mind, but I am going to keep on doing what I have been doing. At Buc-ee’s, I got a cream soda, a Rice Krispy treat, and some peanut butter cookies; totally not healthy.
I survived our adventure as Niko had no meltdowns. When we got home, we played, I read him books, he got some more food, and we had a pleasant conversation about life although I couldn’t really understand him; sounds like we just did that in the morning. Oh, we did! I put him down for this 2nd nap around 2pm and instead of napping again, I wanted to write about our day. Usually, I only get 10 or 15 minutes in the evening to write, so this was a very nice bonus for me.
Niko woke-up at 3 and again, we played, I read him books, he got some more food, and we had a pleasant conversation about life although I couldn’t really understand him. About an hour later, Nina’s dad arrived from Ohio. Niko was scared and clung to me hard and cried for 10 minutes; he never quite made it to the point of playing with him. Well, when he was getting ready to leave, Niko finally let him hold him. By that time, Nina was pulling in the driveway and I was glad to see her and get a teeny break. Niko finally got what he was asking for all day and that was boobs! No fair! While Nina was feeding him, I was able to do my trash run and heat up something for dinner which I ate upstairs in bed. And, to end my day, I got to dress him for bed and put him in the crib nighttime.
I could’ve easily titled this ODE TO THE WIFE PART 4 because she is home alone with the baby everyday and also works from home. I didn’t even mention she cooks and cleans. Sorry, folks, she is taken by me! Man, it sure is a lot of work with no breaks. She did text me earlier in the day saying, “This is weird and I’m exhausted because I didn’t sleep well, but also really enjoying a bit of freedom, thanks bunches darling.” I did send her text pictures of us throughout the day to show her we were alive and doing very well. So what if I didn’t get to eat much throughout the day or go on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or check my email constantly. I enjoyed every moment of the day and I never complained because that is part of being a dad! And, I would do it again in an instant.
