Day in the Life

Justin woke me up at 4:45 am. I fed him and was back in bed a little after five.

I was then awakened at 6:15 am by the sound of Merritt calling my name. I ignored him for a little while then went to find out what the need was. He had pulled one of his pajama legs up to his knee and was distressed by this. I got him up, changed his diaper, and got him dressed for the day in T-shirt and shorts. By then the baby was awake as well and we went in to get him too.

Andy was arising as well because he had a tennis game. The four of us hung out for a little while: Andy and I very drowsy, Merritt very excited, and Justin chilling. Andy left and I fed the baby while Merritt played. I put the baby in his bouncy seat with the aquarium light on and then put Merritt in his booster seat for breakfast. I made him a scrambled egg which he ate with ketchup. Then he had a YoBaby and I had a big stack of Italian rainbow cookies with milk. He finished up with green grapes while I changed the baby and got him dressed.

We hung out for a while (this usually entails me holding/entertaining the baby while Merritt plays alone or with me), I fed the baby again, then we got ready to go to our friends' house for a playdate. We stayed there until about eleven: Justin took a forty five minute nap, I fed him before and after, and Merritt and his friend watched Barney and Sesame Street and played and snacked while I chatted with the mom. We came home at about eleven. Andy was back from tennis and was working in his office. I fed the baby again.

Because Merritt had gotten up two hours earlier than he usually did I planned to put him down for an early nap, about twelve thirty or so. The baby was cranky but I was waiting him out so they could both go down at the same time. I was extremely tired and looking forward to taking my own nap. Merritt had some goldfish for a snack. Once I had fed the baby and they were both asleep I lay down but then realized I had booked a half hour chair massage for two thirty so I couldn't go to sleep. The baby woke up and I fed him again and put him to bed again. I made a salami and provolone sandwich and ate it while reading Maxim. Just as I was walking out the door, the baby woke up again. I put him in his swing and left, hoping for the best. I appreciate Andy being home to mind the kids so I can go out but I don't want him to have to deal with them awake when he's really busy.

I had the massage with my therapist, the one I stopped going to for a while in favor of a spa but now I'm back because he's cheaper and closer. It was very therapeutic--not at all relaxing but just what I needed for my aching back, shoulders, neck, and hands. On the way home I stopped at the post office and bought four sheets of superhero stamps.

When I got home Merritt had awakened but was still in his crib and the baby was stirring. I got Merritt up, we snacked on more goldfish and a pluot, we read books for a while then I got Justin up and fed him. We hung out for a while then I decided to take them outside for some fresh air. It was about five pm by then. I put bug spray on the both of them then secured Justin in the frontpack carrier. We went out and Merritt played in and around his sandbox for about an hour. Andy joined us. The sun was hot and bright as hell but there was a lot of shade in the wooded play area and even a slight breeze.

We came in and I fed Justin while Andy gave Merritt a bath and frozen mannicoti were baking in the oven. I was hoping Justin would keep it together so we could have family dinner but he got really fussy so I did his bedtime routine while Andy and Merritt ate together. Justin's routine is bath in the sink, get dressed for bed, then of course MORE FEEDING. He fell asleep and I came out to eat my dinner with Merritt. I had manicotti plus a slice of healthy grain bread with butter.

I cleaned Merritt up and his dad led him through picking up his toys and getting ready for bed. I was cleaning up the kitchen when Justin woke up and started crying. For the next hour I was repeatedly going in to attempt to soothe him back to sleep while somewhat finishing the kitchen and helping Merritt brush his teeth. Andy read stories to Merritt and put him to bed. I ate a few more rainbow cookies then got on my computer and downloaded email and read my favorite blogs, checked the status of Tropical Storm Ernesto, and started writing this entry which Karin suggested. Justin never went back to sleep on his own and had to be fed again. Merritt stalled going to sleep for a while, calling to us with silly reasons to come to his room.

It's quarter to nine and I'm going to post this, shut down my computer, get ready for bed and veg out in front of the TV for a little while. I'll most likely be asleep by 9:30.

Note: I left out a few small details, for instance all the diapers I changed througout the day, and their contents.

Additional note: I wish I had more time to devote to eating better.

Tonight I updated Justin's and Merritt's websites.

I've decided the theme for Merritt's birthday party is going to be Cookie Monster, since that seems to be his favorite character on Sesame Street.

The first art show I participated in was called Freedom and Enterprise. We got the name from this bit of poetry by Jim Morrison:

Back in those days everything was more simpler and more confused
One summer night, going to the pier I ran into two young girls.
The blonde was called freedom, the dark one enterprise.
We talked and they told me the story.
Now listen to this, I'll tell you of Texas radio and the big beat,
soft driven slow and mad like some new language,
reaching your head with the cold sudden fury of a divine messenger
Let me tell you about heartache and the loss of God,
Wandering, wandering, in hopeless night.
Out here in the perimeter there are no stars, out here we is stoned immaculate...

I am dreaming about the day I will have the time and inspiration to have another show...

We spent a wonderful relaxing week in Tennessee with my parents. They have moved to a charming town called Maryville in the eastern part of the state. The drive is ten hours and we did it overnight with the babies asleep in the car. (Supposed to be asleep.)

Justin had his two month well child visit with the doctor and all is well. He remains in the top ninetieth percentiles for size and doesn't seem to be slowing down. He has become a lot more vocal and his sense of humor is already showing. He is losing the newborn alien look and starting to become majorly CUTE.

Merritt turns two in a month. We're planning a party brunch for him, with ice cream cone cupcakes.



My artstar friend Kimi has found God and it has added a really powerful and interesting aspect to her work:

Favorite new scent: ginseng soap
Favorite new food: cheesecake flavored Jello pudding
Favorite new book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Favorite new art: nail art
Favorite new job: motherhood
Favorite new song: Take Your Mama Out by Scissor Sisters